Who was former UNC & Phoenix Suns legend Walter Davis who died at 69?
Known as a gentleman on and off the court, Suns fans will know all too well the effect that the former Tar Heel had. Indeed, he will be missed very much.
A stand-out player for the Tar Heels during his collegiate career, the former first-round pick made an unforgettable impression on not just those who saw him play, but those he played against as well.
Former UNC & Phoenix Suns star Walter Davis has died
According to an announcement from his alma mater, the University of North Carolina, former Phoenix Suns star Walter Davis passed away on Thursday. Davis was 69 years old and it is understood that his death was the result of natural causes. Having grown up in North Carolina, it was a dream come true for Davis when he secured a spot on the Tar Heels team under the now-famous head coach Dean Smith. Incidentally, Davis would go on to become the leader of another Smith-coached team, when the two worked together during the 1976 Olympics, a tournament in which Team U.S.A. won the gold medal. Nicknamed “Sweet D” for his impressive defensive prowess as well as his offensive skills, Davis is actually the uncle of current UNC head coach Hubert Davis.
What about Walter Davis’ time in the NBA?
Selected as the No. 5 overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, Davis entered the league with a fair amount of anticipation relative to the time. It would be fair to say, that he hit the ground running as evidenced by his career-high 24.2 point average in his maiden season. If that wasn’t enough, Davis would go on to be named to the All-Star team in each of his first four seasons. Sadly, as he got older, problems with his back began to take a toll on his athletic ability.
Regardless, Davis continued to maintain his status as an elite player for the large majority of his career, securing his final All-Star appearance in 1987. Known for his immaculate jump shot, it’s ironic to think that he plied his trade at a time when shooting from beyond the arc was not regarded in the same way as it is today. To that end, we should definitely mention that Michael Jordan himself is known to have constantly pushed the Bulls to sign Davis, as noted in Sam Smith’s infamous book about the Chicago Bulls, ‘The Jordan Rules.’ Ultimately, Davis would go on to play for both the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets, before beginning a career in broadcasting with the former, and scouting with the Washington Wizards. Today, his No. 6 jersey hangs in the rafters of Footprint Center, the arena that is home to the Phoenix Suns.