Walter Davis, who starred in college at North Carolina, passed away on Thursday morning of natural causes, the Tar Heels announced in a press release. He was 69 years old.
Many of Davis’ top NBA accomplishments came while he was on the Suns, who selected him fifth overall in 1977. He earned an All-Star nod, was named second-team All-NBA, and won Rookie of the Year during his debut season in 1977/78. He followed that up with All-Star and second-team All-NBA honors in ’78/79.
The 6’6″ guard/forward made six All-Star teams in 11 seasons with Phoenix, and he remains the team’s all-time leading scorer. His No. 6 jersey was retired by the Suns.
Davis, who won a gold medal with the U.S. in 1976, averaged 18.9 points, 3.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the course of 15 years in the NBA, which included stints with the Nuggets and Trail Blazers at the end of his career (1033 regular season games, 27.9 minutes per night). He shot 51.1% from the field and 85.1% from the free throw line.
We at Hoops Rumors send our condolences to Davis’ friends and family, which includes his nephew, former NBA guard Hubert Davis, who is currently head coach of the Tar Heels.
RIP. I appreciate everything you did. Great player
1 of the greatest wings of arguably the greatest era of NBA basketball. He’s exactly the type of guy that y’all would’ve loved to hate on… link to m.youtube.com
Greyhound. Says it all. Love you , miss you. Went to his camp as a kid , LOVED those Suns teams.
Player with the Guy, One of the Best. Sweet D .❤️
1971 state Championship , South Mecklenburg High School, the guy was outstanding with stitches in his mouth, he showed up and showed out . MY MAN , WD . Duke Springs
Glad somebody mentioned his Greyhound nickname. One of those guys to me who always looked effortless while giving his all at the game. Seems like so many of the great players of the past don’t get the recognition they deserve compared to the young guys of today which seem more hype driven.
He was an outstanding talent. RIP Walter.
Loved watching Walter play. He belongs in the HOF. RIP, Mr. Davis.
1971 state Championship , South Mecklenburg High School, the guy was outstanding with stitches in his mouth, he showed up and showed out . MY MAN , WD . Duke Springs
One of my favorites back in the day. He deserves to be in the HOF. RIP, Mr. Davis.
I still remember him with Paul Westphal’s running and gunning Denver Nugget’s in the early 90’s. He had no trouble keeping up with them in his late 30’s. Hard to see a specimen like him go a day short of 80. I guess heaven needed another wing for the basketball league there.
RIP player ……
One of best Suns player ever.
link to brightsideofthesun.com
In 11 yrs with Suns. He avg 20 pts a game.
Rest in heaven..
He was a great player that often gets overlooked. He had a silky smooth jumper. 69 is way too young. RIP Greyhound.