Walter Davis, a former North Carolina star and one of the best players in Phoenix Suns history, died of natural causes at the age of 69, the university and franchise confirmed on Thursday.
The 6-foot-8 forward was a six-time All-Star, a two-time NBA second-team selection and retired after 15 seasons with averages of 18.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 1,033 games.
During his rookie year, a 21-year-old Michael Jordan was asked who the best player he ever saw was, and shocked media by naming Davis. Many believed Magic Johnson, Larry Bird or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would have been the answer.
“To play against? Has to be Walter Davis,” Jordan said. “I played against Walter Davis in the summertime, and he’s been an outstanding basketball player.”
After a brilliant stint at North Carolina, where Jordan also played, Davis was drafted fifth overall by the Suns in 1977. His impact in the NBA was immediate, as he averaged 24.2 points per game and was voted Rookie of the Year.
Davis spent most of his career in Phoenix (11 seasons). Despite leaving the franchise on bad terms, his number “6” jersey would eventually be retired.
His final years with the Suns were dominated by back problems and a drug scandal.
Davis checked himself into rehab clinics several times and in 1987 was called to testify about illegal drug use by other players on the team in exchange for receiving immunity.
In February 1983, Davis set an NBA record when, in a Suns game at Seattle, he scored his first 34 points before missing a shot.
Davis made his first 15 shots from the field and four straight free throws. He finished with 36 points after shooting 15/16 from the field and hitting six shots from the line. His only miss was 55 seconds before the final buzzer.
He also spent three seasons with the Nuggets and had a brief stint with the Portland Trail Blazers before returning to Denver, where he retired in 1993. Among his greatest achievements, Davis won gold at the 1976 Montreal Games with the U.S. national team.
