Basketball Hall of Famer Chet Walker, who won a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967, has died, according to an announcement from the National Basketball Players Association on Friday. He was 84.
Dubbed “The Jet” for his quickness on the court, Walker, a small forward, played 13 seasons for two franchises and was a seven-time All-Star. Led by Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer and Walker, the 76ers won a then-record 68 games in 1966-67 and went on to defeat Boston in five games in the Eastern Conference finals, ending the Celtics’ run of eight straight NBA titles.
Philadelphia then knocked off the then-San Francisco Warriors in six games.
Walker averaged 18.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game, and he played no fewer than 76 games each season.
A two-time All-American at Bradley, Walker began his NBA career with the Syracuse Nationals, playing one season there before the franchise moved to Philadelphia and became the 76ers before the 1963-64 season.
In September 1969, Philadelphia traded Walker to the Chicago Bulls. He was an All-Star for four of his six seasons there. The organization included him among its first honorees in its Ring of Honor earlier this season.
–Field Level Media