Knicks' former leading scorer Braun dies at 82

NEW YORK (AP) -- Carl Braun, who played in five consecutive All-Star games as a member of the New York Knicks, died Wednesday of natural causes. He was 82.

Braun died in Florida, the team said. He is the second former Knicks star to die in a week. Hall of Famer Dick McGuire passed away last Wednesday.

Carl Braun | Photo courtesy New York Knicks

"Carl Braun was the first superstar of the New York Knicks and a cornerstone of our franchise's early success," said Donnie Walsh, President, Basketball Operations. "Watching him play at the Old Garden was a privilege for us New Yorkers in the 1940's and 50's. He is a true legend in our sport and he will be missed."

Braun was an All-Star from 1953-57 and retired as the team's career scoring leader with 10,449 points. He's still in fifth place on the career list behind Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed and Allan Houston.

His 740 games played is fourth on the team's all-time list. For parts of two seasons, he served as the Knicks' player/coach from 1959-60 through 1960-61. In 1961-62, Braun ended his playing career as a member of the NBA Champion Boston Celtics. Prior to his professional basketball career, Braun was a minor league pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. On Mar. 23, 2009, Braun was honored at the Inaugural Knicks Legends Night at Madison Square Garden, along with Richie Guerin, Reed, Frazier, Bernard King, Ewing and the late Dick McGuire.

Braun is survived by his wife, Joan, four daughters and six grandchildren.

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