It was announced on Saturday evening that Basketball Hall of Famer Chet Walker has passed away. He was 84 years old. Thoughts and prayers go out to Walker’s family and friends at this time.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame forward Chet Walker — a seven-time All-Star and a member of the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor — has passed away at 84, per @TheNBPA. Walker won an NBA championship with Philadelphia in 1967 and was a two-time All-American at Bradley. pic.twitter.com/sv1ct73YAK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 9, 2024
Chet Walker Passes Away At The Age Of 84
Hall Of Fame Career
Born on February 22, 1940, the 6-7 Walker played collegiately at Bradley. He graduated in 1962 with the most points in school history and still ranks fourth all-time with 1,975. The 6-7 Walker helped Bradley garner an NIT title in 1960. His number 31 jersey has been retired by Bradley.
Walker went on to be selected in the second round (14th overall) in the 1962 NBA Draft by the Syracuse Nationals. He played his first season with the Nationals and his next six with the Philadelphia 76ers after the franchise moved. In 1969, Walker was involved in a trade that sent him to the Chicago Bulls. The small forward would play his last six seasons with the team before retiring in 1975.
Chet Walker spent the first 7 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with our franchise & delivered a championship in ‘67. Affectionately nicknamed “The Jet,” Walker made a profound impact in our city & within our League.
Our condolences go out to the Walker family & their friends. pic.twitter.com/jbc9ZHQyYt
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 9, 2024
Walker’s illustrious NBA career saw him named an All-Star seven times in his 13 seasons (three with Philadelphia, four with Chicago). He was somewhat of an ironman, appearing in at least 76 games every year in the league. In his first three seasons with the Bulls (1969-70 to 1971-72), Walker averaged at least 21.5 points per contest. During the 1970-71 season, he led the league shooting 85.9% from the foul line.
In 1,032 career regular season games, Walker posted averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He shot 47.0% from the field and 79.6% from the free throw line (played prior to the three-point line being in existence). Walker’s 18,831 career points currently place him 67th in NBA history. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Won an NBA Championship With the Sixers
In the 1966-67 season, the 76ers finished with a 68-13 record. At the time, it was the best record in NBA history. Their .840 winning percentage that season is still the fifth-best all-time and still is the best in franchise history.
Philadelphia would go on to win the NBA Finals in the 1967 postseason. They defeated the San Francisco Warriors in six games. It was the franchise’s second championship, and first since moving to Philadelphia. That team featured four Hall of Fame players in Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Larry Costello, and Walker. During that playoff run, Walker tied for the second-highest scoring average on the team at 21.7. He put up at least 20 points in five of the six finals games led by a 33-point outing in Game 4.
