Walter Davis, a five-time NBA All-Star who had his number retired by the Phoenix Suns, has died at 69 years old.
Walter Davis was a star in college for North Carolina where he played for the late Dean Smith.
It was North Carolina, where Davis’ nephew Hubert Davis is the head basketball coach, which announced Water Davis’ death Thursday.
Walter Davis Cause of Death
The death was announced by the Tar Heels, who said that Davis passed naturally while visiting family in Charlotte.
Born Walter Pearl Davis in Pineville, North Carolina, Davis was the youngest of 13 children born between 1937 and 1954.
His high school teams at South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte won three state titles and lost only four games.
After his senior year,he prepped at the Sanford School, Hockessin, DE, and made the All-State team in the 1972-73 season.
He was chosen to represent the USA men’s basketball team at the 1976 Summer Olympics, which was coached by UNC’s Dean Smith.
This was after he had an impressive college career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The team went on to win the gold medal.
In his freshman year, Davis hit a buzzer-beating jump shot against Duke at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime.
At Chapel Hill, Davis was called “Sweet D” because of his seemingly effortless, smooth style of play and because of his strong defensive play.
Walter Davis NBA career
Walter Davis had a remarkable career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Here are some highlights of his career:
Beginning: Davis was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the fifth pick of the 1977 NBA draft.
He made an immediate impact, playing in 81 games and averaging 24.2 points per game in his first season, which would also be his career-high.
He won the 1978 Rookie of the Year Award, and earned second team All-NBA honors.
Career Highlights:
Davis was a six-time NBA All-Star (1978–1981, 1984, 1987).
He was a two-time All-NBA Second Team member (1978, 1979).
He was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1978.
His No. 6 jersey was retired by Phoenix Suns.
He scored a total of 19,521 points (18.9 ppg), made 3,878 assists (3.8 apg), and had 1,280 steals (1.2 spg) in his NBA career.
Teams: He spent the majority of his career with the Phoenix Suns (1977 – 1988).
He also played for the Denver Nuggets (1988 – 1991 and 1991–1992) and Portland Trail Blazers (1991).
Davis later served as a broadcaster for the Nuggets and as a scout for the Washington Wizards.
As time passed, Walter Davis and the Suns repaired their relationship.
In 1994, his No. 6 was retired by the Suns, and in 2004 he was enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor.
He was the uncle of UNC men’s head coach Hubert Davis, who also played for UNC and in the NBA.
Walter Davis Death
Walter Davis passed away on November 2, 20231. His contributions to the sport of basketball were significant and he is remembered as one of the greats in NBA history.
ALSO READ:Walter Davis Biography: Wife, Children, Parents, Siblings, Family, Net worth,
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