Chet Walker, a seven-time All-Star forward 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 years old.
The National Basketball Players Association confirmed Walker’s death, according to NBA.com. The 76ers, Bulls and National Basketball Retired Players Association also expressed their condolences on social media Saturday.
Walker was part of Chicago’s inaugural Ring of Honor class in January.
“His skill, dedication and contributions to the game have had a lasting impact on basketball and the city of Chicago,” the Bulls said in a statement.
“Chet Walker will forever be remembered as a true Chicago Bulls icon.”
Nicknamed “The Jet,” Walker had career averages of 18.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in his 13 NBA seasons. His teams made the playoffs every year he was in the league.
He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Walker, a native of Mississippi, attended high school in Benton Harbor, Michigan, before playing college ball at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He was a two-time All-American with the Braves, helping the team win the 1960 NIT championship. His number 31 jersey was retired by the school in 1976.
The 6-foot-2 Walker was selected by Syracuse in the second round of the 1962 NBA Draft. He averaged 12.3 points in his first season before the Nationals moved to Philadelphia and were renamed the 76ers.
In his fifth season, Walker averaged 19.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 81 games. With Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham and Walker leading the way, the 76ers went 68-13 during the regular season. They eliminated Cincinnati and Boston in the playoffs before defeating Rick Barry and San Francisco for the 1967 NBA title.
The 76ers said Walker “made a profound impact” in Philadelphia and the NBA.
Walker was traded to Chicago in September 1969. He made the All-Star team four more times after the deal, averaging 20.6 points in his six seasons with the Bulls.
Walker teamed with Bob Love to give Chicago a strong 1-2 blow, but they never managed to reach the NBA Finals together. Love averaged 25.8 points and Walker averaged 22 per game as the Bulls went 57-25 during the 1971-72 season but were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.
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