Dennis Johnson, former NBA champion and head coach of the Toros, died Thursday after falling ill at the Austin Convention Center. A man in the Toros office said Johnson collapsed after practice.
Officials said Johnson was unconscious and in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived at the Austin Convention Center.
Paramedics tried to resuscitate him before he was taken to Brackenridge Hospital hospital and pronounced dead. An autopsy will be done.
The Toros have postponed home games tomorrow and Saturday nights.
Dennis Wayne Johnson, 52, was known as DJ during his NBA career. He won three championships and was a 5-time NBA All-Star.
Johnson was born in Compton, California, played college ball at Pepperdine and was drafted by Seattle in 1976.
He was traded to Phoenix in 1980 and Boston in 1983.
 |  |
 | |  |
| | | | | | | |
DJ dies
Former NBA star Dennis Johnson died Thursday in Austin.
 
| | |
| | | | | |
|
Johnson won the Finals MVP in 1979 with Seattle and also won titles with Boston in 1984 and 1986.
Johnson played 14 seasons, retiring after the 1989-90 season.
"Coach [Johnson] is one of the best coaches in the league, and one of the best players to ever play the game, so it's an honor to play for him and it's an honor to be down here," former Toros' player Marcus Fitzer said in a December 2005 interview with News 8 Austin.
The NBA Development League started the Austin Toros less than two years ago. Johnson has been the team's only head coach.
