College basketball world mourns the death of UNC icon Walter Davis
Walter Davis passed away Thursday morning at the age of 69 while visiting family in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The former UNC basketball player is an iconic figure in Tar Heels hoops history. He took the Tar Heels to an ACC championship in 1977, followed by a national title appearance the same year.
His most remembered college moment was the game-tying shot against Duke after a miraculous comeback. The Tar Heels scored 8 points in 17 seconds and went on to win the game in OT.
5. Walter Davis against Duke 1974 pic.twitter.com/gbvc4kiLVm
— Great Day Tar Heel (@GreatDayTarHeel) May 1, 2022
Daivs, the uncle of current UNC head coach Hubert Davis, also had a lengthy NBA career that saw his number retired with the Phoenix Suns. He’s a 5-time NBA All-Star and was selected No. 5 overall in the 1978 NBA Draft. He was also named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1978.
Following his passing on Thursday, fans and former players from across the college basketball world came together to mourn the loss of a hoops legend.
Check out some of the reactions and stories below:
RIP to UNC legend, Walter Davis. 🏀🐏 pic.twitter.com/0639mk7Q35
— Great Day Tar Heel (@GreatDayTarHeel) November 2, 2023
RIP Walter Davis 💔 Suns legend pic.twitter.com/M7cnVF2MuL
— 𝒟ℯ𝓁𝓊𝓈𝒾ℴ𝓃𝒶𝓁 𝒮𝓅ℴ𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝒻𝒶𝓃 (2－1） (@Hoopsfan800) November 2, 2023
RIP, Walter Davis.
This season marks the 50-year anniversary of this 25-foot shot he hit against Duke, which is still one of the most iconic shots in UNC history.
He was 69 years old. pic.twitter.com/UGZj6oAAN1
— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) November 2, 2023
Absolutely heartbreaking news about the passing of #TheGreyhound, Walter Davis a Favorite @suns of All time! God Speed to 1 of the most silky smooth players in basketball. @nba #Ring of Honor lost a legend. 😢🙏 pic.twitter.com/DBkp7Dkiu8
— Kevin Ray (@kray1voice) November 2, 2023
I became a Suns fan in 1979 when my family moved to Phoenix. My favorite player immediately was Walter Davis, a silky smooth scoring machine. Saddened by today’s news. RIP, No. 6.
— Vince Marotta (@Vincemarotta) November 2, 2023
If I could choose to follow any Suns season before I was born, Walter Davis’s 77-78 rookie campaign would be high on my list.
He averaged 24/6/3
Rookie of the Year
All Star
2nd team All NBA
1st team All Rookie
5th in MVP award sharesThe greatest rookie season in Suns history. pic.twitter.com/gPPDN49tG4
— Patrick Steward (@PatrickSUNSward) November 2, 2023
Absolutely devastating. When I first started delving into the past, I watched the 1980 Lakers Suns series.
The Greyhound, Walter Davis, was the Suns best player. Great midrange, quick, athletic, man. 69 ain’t even old. This is so sad 😭 https://t.co/cvqDyYVkuN
— Dime Dropper (@DimeDropperPod) November 2, 2023
So much of why I love basketball is because of Walter Davis. My 🐐. Rest easy, Sweet D. https://t.co/89J4k6bwYe
— Paul Coro (@paulcoro) November 2, 2023
RIP Walter Davis, the 1978 NBA Rookie of the Year and 6x NBA All-Star who averaged 20 points per game over his first 11 seasons. Davis was one of Michael Jordan’s idols and inspirations, as he was a senior at UNC when MJ was in 8th grade. MJ on David Thompson and Walter Davis: pic.twitter.com/st2dfDi3W3
— Jack M Silverstein (@readjack) November 2, 2023
No, man Rip legend Walter Davis. https://t.co/Zfn158Mye8
— Ariel Dejesus (@AriHoops84) November 2, 2023
