Sad news arrived in the basketball world today as UNC Tar Heels legend and Phoenix Suns All-Star Walter Davis passed away at the age of 69.
Davis, a North Carolina native and idol of Michael Jordan, was one of the greatest players in Carolina basketball history and a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. He was a 2x All-ACC honoree (1976, 1977) and as a senior in 1977, he led the Tar Heels to an ACC Tournament title and NCAA championship game appearance.
During his career under Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith, Davis scored 1,863 points, hauled in 670 rebounds and had 409 assists.
He was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the fifth overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft and paid immediate dividends by winning Rookie of the Year after averaging 24.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 3.4 apg.
Davis excelled in Phoenix, becoming a 6x All-Star and 2x All-NBA player in his eleven seasons in the desert. And while he also played for the Nuggets and Trailblazers, he will also be recognized as an all-time great for the Suns.
“I am going to miss him dearly,” said Tar Heels legend, Phil Ford. “I would like to believe he’s in a better place right now but I’m going to dearly miss my friend. I don’t know anybody that says bad things about Walt.”
“This is a sad, sad day with the passing of Walter Davis, one of our all-time great basketball players and an even nicer person,” said former UNC head coach, Roy Williams.
Davis, who is the uncle of current Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis, played in the NBA for 15 years and averaged 18.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg and 3.8 apg. He also remains the Suns’ All-Time leading scorer and is a member of the team’s Ring of Honor.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Suns legend Walter Davis, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and a member of our Ring of Honor,” wrote the Suns in a statement. “‘Sweet D’ was one of the game’s best, a prolific scorer whose smooth playing style and “velvet touch” endeared him to generations of our fans. He will forever be a member of our Phoenix Suns family and community.
“Our thoughts remain with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
