Paul Silas

Paul Theron Silas (July 12, 1943 – December 10, 2022) was an American professional basketball player and head coach in the National Basketball Association. Born in Prescott, Arkansas, Silas moved with his family to Oakland, California, at the age of eight, sharing a home with cousins, four of whom became members of the rhythm and blues group The Pointer Sisters. He attended McClymonds High School, where he was named a second-team Parade All-American and voted California Mr. Basketball.

Silas played college basketball for the Creighton Bluejays, earning second-team All-American honors as a senior in 1964. Selected in the second round of the 1964 NBA draft, he went on to play 16 seasons in the league. Over his career he was a two-time NBA All-Star and earned five selections to the NBA All-Defensive Team, twice on the first team. He won three NBA championships, two with the Boston Celtics and one with the Seattle SuperSonics. He remains the leader in rebounds per game with 12.1 in Suns franchise history.

After his playing career, Silas became a head coach, serving in that capacity for 12 seasons.