Family and friends are remembering former New York Knicks forward Anthony Mason who died Saturday, a team spokesman confirms.
Multiple reports say he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure earlier this month and had undergone multiple surgeries.
The NBA veteran spent 13 years in the league, five of them with the Knicks.
He helped the team get to the finals in 1994 and won the league's Sixth Man of the Year Award while playing for the team.
His family released a statement saying, "We would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt thoughts and strong prayers. Anthony felt each and every one. He fought like a warrior to the very end."
Knicks President Phil Jackson also commented on Mason's passing saying, "As a competitor, there was none fiercer than Anthony Mason. Standing on the opposite end of the playing field, coaching in those great Chicago/New York battles, No. 14 in the Orange and Blue always stood out. On behalf of the entire Knickerbocker community, our condolences go out to his family. Rest in peace, Mase."
Mason also played with Charlotte, Milwaukee and Miami.
He was 48 years old.