Chet Walker (1940–2024), Hall of Fame NBA forward
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2 min readChet Walker was a 13-year veteran of the NBA, a Hall of Fame forward, and a seven-time All-Star who played with the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls.
- Died: June 8, 2024 (Who else died on June 8?)
- Details of death: Died in Long Beach, California after a long illness at the age of 84.
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Chet Walker’s legacy
Mississippi-born Chet Walker earned his nickname, “Chet the Jet,” while attending Bradley University, where he graduated as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in 1962 and staying with the team as they became the Philadelphia 76ers, Walker quickly became a standout, making the NBA All-Rookie team in 1963 and the All-Star squad in ’64, ’66, and ’67. Walker was also a team leader for the Sixers’ then-record 68 wins in the 1966-’67 season, during which they ended the Boston Celtics’ eight-year championship run.
Walker went to the Chicago Bulls in 1969 and continued his run of greatness, making four more All-Star teams and never averaging fewer than 19 points per game. At the time of his retirement, he was one of the NBA’s all-time leading scorers. Despite this, it took until 2012 for him to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was also in the first class of the Bulls’ Ring of Honor, alongside greats like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippin.
Tributes to Chet Walker
Full obituary: ESPN
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