Walt Wesley (1945–2024), former NBA player and Kansas Jayhawk
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2 min readWalt Wesley was a 10-year NBA veteran anda star player with the University of Kansas Jayhawks.
- Died:e280afrch 28, 2024 (Whoelse died on March 28?)
- Details of death:e280afd at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa of leukemia at the age of 79.
- We invite you to share condolencese280affor Walt Wesley in oure280afGuest Book.
Walt Wesleye28099s legacy
When Wesley was a young player in high school, his opportunities to be recruited by a top college were limited because many of the best schools in the country refused to recruit Black players. He was able to prove himself when the University of Kansas gave him a chance. As a Kansas Jawhawk, Wesley was a dominant center and a two-time All-American selection. In 1965-66, he helped lead the team to a Big 8 championship. His number was retired by the team in 2004.
Wesley was drafted by the NBAe28099s Cincinnati Royals e28093 he became the first ever NBA player from Fort Myers in the process e28093 and spent 10 seasons in the league, also playing with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and several other teams. In 1970-e2809971, he led the Cavs in both points and rebounds per game. His best game arguably came on February 19, 1971, when he scored 50 points against his former team, the Royals.
Wesley went into coaching after retiring from the NBA, serving as an assistant coach for the University of Kansas, Western Michigan University, and at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is in the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame, Kansas Hall of Fame, University of Kansas Hall of Fame, and National High School Basketball Hall of Fame.
On Black players not being recruited by top colleges:
e2809cIt's not that we weren't capable, or good enough academically. We just weren't recruited. There was a segregated system, and it was tough. Fortunately, I was recruited by several schools out of the Midwest and that's where I chose to go.e2809de28094Interview with Fort Myers News-Press, 2008
Tributes to Walt Wesley
Full obituary: Fort Myers News-Press
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