Walter Davis
(1954-2023)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2024
Card Shown: 2006-07 Upper
Deck NBA Chronology
Position: SG/SF
Height: 6’6″
bb
bb
Walter Davis, the “Man with the Velvet Touch,” enjoyed success at all levels of basketball, from high school in Charlotte, to the University of North Carolina, and on to the NBA where he starred with the Phoenix Suns for the majority of his career. Among Davis’ other nicknames were “Sweet D” for his strong defense and smooth play as well as “The Greyhound” for his speed and slight build. Legendary defender Michael Cooper used to stay awake at night wondering how he would guard the Greyhound.
Awards and Honors
- Walter led South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte to three state titles during his time at the school.
- In college, he and his good friend Phil Ford helped lead UNC to the ACC Tournament Championship and the NCAA title game in 1977.
- Davis was the fifth overall selection in the first round of the 1977 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. At the conclusion of his first season, Walter was named to the 1977-78 NBA All-Rookie First Team alongside Marques Johnson, Bernard King, Norm Nixon, and Jack Sikma. Out of this group, Davis was named the 1977-78 NBA Rookie of the Year.
- Walter was a six-time NBA All-Star during his tenure with the Suns. He also made the All-NBA Second Team twice during that time.
- In 1976, Davis was part of the US Olympic team that won a gold medal in Montreal. Team USA, led by Adrian Dantley, defeated Yugoslavia, with Drazen Dalipagic and Kresimir Cosic, in the title game.
- Walter had his number 6 jersey retired by the Phoenix Suns in 1994. In 2004, he was honored with enshrinement in the Suns Ring of Honor.
Points of Interest
- Since Walter had already passed away, his Hall of Fame notification call went to his daughter. The call was made by Hall of Fame Board of Governers Chairman Jerry Colangelo, the same person who had drafted Davis years earlier for the Phoenix Suns.
- To date, Walter remains the Suns all-time leading scorer with 15,666 points during his eleven seasons with the club. Devin Booker, who is second all-time, is still an active player for the Suns and he seems destined to catch Davis. Hall of Famers Steve Nash and Paul Westphal are eighth and ninth on the Suns list, respectively.
- Davis’ nephew Hubert Davis also played college basketball at UNC and became the head coach of that storied program beginning in the 2021-22 season. Hubert credits his uncle with his desire to play basketball and to go to UNC.
- With their enshrinement in 2024, Vince Carter and Davis become the 13th and 14th members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to come from the University of North Carolina, second only to Kansas (20). Some of the more notable Tar Heels include Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Billy Cunningham, Dean Smith, Roy Williams, and Bob McAdoo.
- During his fifteen-year NBA career Walter averaged 18.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
Statistics
Walter Davis Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com