Walter Davis nominated for Basketball Hall of Fame

ROBERT CRAWFORD

Walter Davis (right) alongside fellow North Carolina NBA All-Stars James Worthy and Michael Jordan.

Walter Davis, who starred in basketball at South Mecklenburg High, North Carolina, and the NBA, is a finalist nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Born in Pineville, Davis passed away in November at age 69. The selections, which also included fellow North Carolina alum Vince Carter, were announced Friday at NBA All-Star Weekend.

The finalists will be put forward to the Hall of Fame’s Honors Committee to be considered for induction in the Class of 2024, which will be announced in Phoenix on April 6 at the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

Davis was named to the All-Star game six times during his 15-year NBA career with the Phoenix Suns (1977-88), Denver Nuggets (1988-92) and Portland Trail Blazers (1991). He was selected by the Suns with the fifth pick in the 1977 draft after winning a gold medal at the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics, where he was coached by North Carolina’s Dean Smith.

Davis averaged 24.2 points per game in his first NBA season and earned 1978 Rookie of the Year.

Davis’ No. 6 jersey is retired by the Suns, and in 2004, he was enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor. Over his professional career, Davis averaged 18.9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
Before heading to Chapel Hill, Davis won three high school state championships in as many years at South Meck, losing only four games.

He capped a legendary eight points in 17 seconds comeback for North Carolina against Duke in 1974 by banking a 25-foot shot to send the game into overtime, where the Tar Heels won. As a senior in 1977, Davis led the Tar Heels to an ACC tournament title and the NCAA championship game where they lost to Marquette. He was the uncle of current Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis.

On his passing, retired North Carolina head coach Roy Williams called Davis, “One of our all-time great basketball players and an even nicer person. Coach [Dean] Smith and Coach [Bill] Guthridge used to rave about how much fun it was to coach Walter. I got to watch him as a fan and loved getting to know him later. The big shot to end the 'eight points in 17 seconds' game against Duke will stay with us forever, as will many other fantastic moments. Walter is a truly great Tar Heel."

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