Chet Walker, a seven-time All-Star forward renowned for his contributions to the Philadelphia 76ers’ 1967 NBA championship alongside Wilt Chamberlain and later his tenure with the Chicago Bulls, has passed away at the age of 84.
The National Basketball Players Association confirmed Walker’s passing, as reported by NBA.com. The Philadelphia 76ers expressed their condolences to Walker’s family and friends via social media, acknowledging his significant influence both in the city and within the league.
Similarly, the Bulls and the National Basketball Retired Players Association paid tribute to Walker on social media, extending their sympathies.
Walker, who spent the first seven seasons of his illustrious Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia franchise, played a pivotal role in securing the championship in ’67. Affectionately nicknamed “The Jet,” Walker left an indelible mark on both the city and the league.
In January, Walker was honored as part of Chicago’s inaugural class for its Ring of Honor.
The Bulls hailed Walker’s skills, dedication, and contributions, stating that his legacy would endure as an icon of the Chicago Bulls.
Known as “The Jet,” Walker boasted career averages of 18.2 points and 7.1 rebounds throughout his impressive 13-year NBA tenure. Remarkably, his teams qualified for the playoffs in each of those seasons.
In recognition of his remarkable career, Walker was honored with induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012
Hailing from Mississippi, Walker attended high school in Benton Harbor, Michigan, before showcasing his talents in college at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He earned the distinction of a two-time All-American with the Braves, playing a pivotal role in the team’s victory in the 1960 NIT championship. In recognition of his achievements, Bradley University retired his No. 31 jersey in 1976.
Standing at 6 feet 7 inches tall, Walker was drafted by Syracuse in the second round of the 1962 NBA draft. He began his professional career with an impressive debut season, averaging 12.3 points, before the team relocated to Philadelphia and adopted the name “76ers.”
By his fifth season, Walker had elevated his game significantly, averaging 19.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 81 games. Teaming up with Chamberlain, Greer, Cunningham, and Walker, the formidable 76ers boasted an outstanding record of 68-13 during the regular season. They navigated through the playoffs by defeating Cincinnati and Boston before clinching the 1967 NBA title against Rick Barry and San Francisco.
In September 1969, Walker was traded to Chicago. Despite the move, he continued to shine, earning four more All-Star selections and averaging 20.6 points over six seasons with the Bulls.
With Bob Love as his partner, Walker formed a potent scoring duo for Chicago. However, despite their success, they fell short of reaching the NBA Finals together. Their most promising season came in 1971-72, when Love averaged 25.8 points and Walker averaged 22 per game, guiding the Bulls to a 57-25 record. Unfortunately, their postseason journey was halted by a sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.
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