Hall of Fame forward Chet Walker died June 8 after a long illness, according to NBA.com. Walker, a star player for the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls in the 1960s and 1970s, was 84.
The Bulls released a statement on Walker’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chet Walker, a legendary figure in our team’s history. An inductee of the
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Chet left an indelible mark on the court and in the hearts of fans. During his six seasons with the Bulls from 1969 to 1975, the team never missed the playoffs. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star and an inaugural member of the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor. His skill, dedication, and contributions to the game made a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and the city of Chicago.”Walker is among the Bulls’ all-time leaders in shooting, free throws, field goals made and attempted, total points, and scoring average. Outside of Michael Jordan, Walker scored the most points (56) in a Bulls game. He won an NBA championship in 1967 with the Philadelphia 76ers, widely considered one of the best basketball teams of all-time.
He attended Bradley University where he became the school’s all-time leading scorer and earned the nickname “Chet the Jet.”
Walker was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in 1962. He moved with the team when it was bought and moved to Philadelphia to become the 76ers in 1963. He played there until 1969 when he joined the Bulls.
Walker, who retired in 1975, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 7, 2012. He was also included
in the inaugural Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor earlier this year with the likes of Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Phil Jackson.RELATED CONTENT: Former NBA Player Darius Morris Found Dead At 3