Chet Walker
(1940-2024)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2012
Card Shown:
2007-08 Upper Deck
NBA Chronology Dedications
Position: SF/PF
Height: 6’6″
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Chet “The Jet” Walker played for the Syracuse Nationals, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Chicago Bulls during his thirteen year NBA career. His hard work and talent ensured that not one of his teams ever missed out on the NBA playoffs.
Walker was a great face-up player, had a deadly pump fake in his offensive arsenal, and was clutch at the end of games. Chet could create his own shot. His ability to shoot or take the ball to the hoop made him a “point-forward” before that term became common when describing the likes of Magic Johnson or Scottie Pippen.
Awards and Honors
- Chet played his college ball at Bradley University, where he was selected NCAA AP All-America First Team twice (1960-61 and 1961-62) and Second Team once (1959-60). He led Bradley to the 1960 NIT Championship.
- Walker was chosen to the 1962-63 NBA All-Rookie First Team along with Zelmo Beaty, Dave DeBusschere, John Havlicek, and Terry Dischinger.
- Chet was an NBA All-Star seven times during his illustrious professional basketball career. He was selected three times as a 76er and four times as a Bull.
- Walker helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Championship in 1967, becoming the only team other than the Boston Celtics to win the title in the eleven year span from 1959 to 1969. Joining Chet on that 1967 Sixers team were Hall of Fame inductees Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, and Billy Cunningham.
- In 1970-71, Chet led the NBA in Free Throw Percentage, making 85.9% of his attempts from the charity stripe. He narrowly edged Oscar Robertson who shot free throws at an 85.0% clip that year.
Points of Interest
- The Syracuse Nationals selected Chet with the 12th overall selection in the 1962 NBA Draft.
- Wilt Chamberlain once said, “Chet Walker was the greatest one-on-one player that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing, playing with or against…”
- Walker was one of fourteen plaintiffs, led by Oscar Robertson and the NBA Players Association, who filed the suit in 1970 that eventually led to free agency for NBA players.
- Chet finished his NBA career with averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.
- Walker had a falling out with Bulls management which ultimately led to his NBA career ending while Chet still had the talent to play in the league.
Statistics
Chet Walker Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com