Hall of Famer Arnie Risen dies at age 87

Hall of Fame center Arnie Risen died Saturday in Beachwood, Ohio, according to his son, Dennis. He was 87.

Risen was suffering from lung cancer, which was in remission, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He had retired and lived with his son's family for the past 27 years.

"We were a multi-generation family which is kind of unusual," Dennis told USA Today Sunday. "He had the opportunity to help raise his granddaughters, and he got a lot of enjoyment out of that. He enjoyed golf, and spectator sports and being with his family."

The 6-foot-9 Risen, who played in back-to-back Final Fours at Ohio State, was a four-time NBA All-Star. He scored 7,633 career points and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 1998.

After leading Ohio State to back-to-back Final Fours at the collegiate level, Risen went on to score 7,633 career points from 1948-1958 for the Rochester Royals and Boston Celtics while earning four NBA All-Star selections.

"Arnie will be missed in the basketball community," said John L. Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "He was a major presence on the court and his versatility as a big man helped change how the game was played."

Information from USA Today and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame contributed to this report.