Chet Walker, a seven-time NBA All-Star, one-time NBA champion and Basketball Hall of Famer, passed away on Saturday at 84.
Adrian Wojnarowski announced the news on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday night.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame forward Chet Walker — a seven-time All-Star and a member of the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor — has passed away at 84, per @TheNBPA. Walker won an NBA championship with Philadelphia in 1967 and was a two-time All-American at Bradley. pic.twitter.com/sv1ct73YAK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 9, 2024
Walker was drafted out of Bradley by the Syracuse Nationals in the second round of the 1962 NBA Draft. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors that season.
The following season, the Nationals moved and became the Philadelphia 76ers. Walker played with the organization through the 1968-69 season. In the 1966-67 season, Walker made his third All-Star team and won his lone NBA championship. He averaged 19.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for a 76ers team widely regarded as one of the best in league history.
He joined the Chicago Bulls for the 1969-70 season and played with them for the final six years of his career. In Chicago, Walker made four more All-Star teams. Walker averaged a then-career-high 21.5 points per game in his first season with the Bulls but topped that in each of the next two seasons, when he averaged 22.
The 76ers honored Walker on X after his passing.
“Chet Walker spent the first 7 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with our franchise & delivered a championship in ‘67. Affectionately nicknamed “The Jet,” Walker made a profound impact in our city & within our League. Our condolences go out to the Walker family & their friends.”
Chet Walker spent the first 7 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with our franchise & delivered a championship in ‘67. Affectionately nicknamed “The Jet,” Walker made a profound impact in our city & within our League.
Our condolences go out to the Walker family & their friends. pic.twitter.com/jbc9ZHQyYt
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 9, 2024
Bradley, Walker’s alma mater, also paid tribute to him.
“Bradley Basketball mourns the loss of Chet “The Jet” Walker. “The Jet” was a two-time All-American who led the Braves to a NIT Championship in 1960, and is placed 4th on Bradley’s all-time scoring list with 1,975 points. Walker’s #31 was retired by the Braves in 1976.”
Bradley Basketball mourns the loss of Chet “The Jet” Walker.
“The Jet” was a two-time All-American who led the Braves to a NIT Championship in 1960, and is placed 4th on Bradley’s all-time scoring list with 1,975 points. Walker’s #31 was retired by the Braves in 1976. pic.twitter.com/0D0Vuqhirz
— Bradley Basketball (@BradleyUMBB) June 9, 2024
Walker retired following the 1974-75 season. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
[Adrian Wojnarowski on X, Philadelphia 76ers on X, Bradley Basketball on X]
