Posted on 11/02/2013 6:49:15 PM PDT by massmike
Walt Bellamy, the Hall of Fame center who averaged 20.1 points and 13.7 rebounds in 14 seasons in the NBA, died Saturday. He was 74.
The Atlanta Hawks confirmed the death, but didn't provide details. The Hawks said Bellamy attended the team's home opener Friday night.
"Walt Bellamy was an enormously gifted Hall of Fame player who had a tremendous impact on our game," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement released by the league. "Off the court, he was an even more extraordinary person. Walt is going to be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. On behalf of the entire NBA family, our condolences and thoughts go out to Walt's family."
The former Indiana University star won an Olympic gold medal in 1960 and was the first overall pick by the Chicago Packers in 1961. He was the rookie of the year with Chicago, averaging 31.6 points and 19.0 rebounds, and also played for the Baltimore Bullets, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta and New Orleans Jazz. He played in four All-Star games and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
(Excerpt) Read more at bostonherald.com ...

Walt Bellamy and Wilt Chamberlain (1966)
Chicago Packers/Zephyrs, now the Washington Wizards.
RIP
Wasn’t he like ... the Sargent @ Arms or something for the Georgia statehouse?
May he rest in peace.
I always liked him and loved to watch him play.
My earliest memories is as a kid watching the NBA was watching the Atlanta Hawks in the early 70’s when they had Bellamy and Lou Hudson and then Pistol Pete came along.
RIP.
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