Chet Walker, a seven-time All-Star ahead who helped Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers win the 1967 NBA title and later starred for the Chicago Bulls, has died. He was 84.
The Nationwide Basketball Gamers Affiliation confirmed Walker’s dying, based on NBA.com. The 76ers, Bulls and Nationwide Basketball Retired Gamers Affiliation additionally prolonged their condolences on social media on Saturday.
Walker was a part of Chicago’s inaugural class for its Ring of Honor in January.
“His ability, dedication and contributions to the sport made a long-lasting affect on the game of basketball and the town of Chicago,” the Bulls mentioned of their assertion.
“Chet Walker will endlessly be remembered as a real Chicago Bulls icon.”
Nicknamed “The Jet,” Walker had profession averages of 18.2 factors and seven.1 rebounds over his 13 seasons within the NBA. His groups made the playoffs yearly he was within the league.
He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2012.
Walker, a Mississippi native, went to highschool in Benton Harbor, Michigan, earlier than taking part in faculty ball at Bradley College in Peoria, Illinois. He was a two-time All-American with the Braves, serving to the group win the 1960 NIT championship. His No. 31 jersey was retired by the college in 1976.
The 6-foot-7 Walker was chosen by Syracuse within the second spherical of the 1962 NBA draft. He averaged 12.3 factors in his first season earlier than the Nationals moved to Philadelphia and had been renamed the 76ers.
In his fifth season, Walker averaged 19.3 factors and eight.1 rebounds in 81 video games. With Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham and Walker main the best way, the deep 76ers went 68-13 throughout the common season. They eradicated Cincinnati and Boston within the playoffs earlier than defeating Rick Barry and San Francisco for the 1967 NBA title.
The 76ers mentioned Walker “made a profound affect” on Philadelphia and the NBA.
Walker was traded to Chicago in September 1969. He made the All-Star group 4 extra occasions after the deal, averaging 20.6 factors in his six seasons with the Bulls.
Walker teamed with Bob Love to present Chicago a robust 1-2 scoring punch, however they had been by no means in a position to attain the NBA Finals collectively. Love averaged 25.8 factors and Walker averaged 22 per sport when the Bulls went 57-25 throughout the 1971-72 season, however they had been swept by the Los Angeles Lakers within the Western Convention semifinals.
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