Former Benton Harbor resident and seven time NBA All-Star Chet “The Jet” Walker died Saturday. He was 84.
Walker, who attended high school in Benton Harbor, was a seven-time All-Star forward and played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association. He played for the Benton Harbor High School team before going to college and eventually playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls.
Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad posted on social media, “On behalf of the residents of Benton Harbor our prayers and condolences are extended to the family of the greatest player to ever wear a Benton Harbor basketball jersey Chet “The Jet” Walker. #25 Go Tigers !! RIP”
From NBA.com:
Walker was a seven-time All-Star forward who helped Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers win the 1967 NBA title and later starred for the Chicago Bulls, has died. He was 84.
Nicknamed “The Jet,” Walker had career averages of 18.2 points and 7.1 rebounds over his 13 seasons in the NBA. His teams made the playoffs every year he was in the league.
Walker was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 and was part of Chicago’s inaugural class for its Ring of Honor in January.
“His skill, dedication and contributions to the game made a lasting impact on the sport of basketball and the city of Chicago,” the Bulls said in their statement.
“Chet Walker will forever be remembered as a true Chicago Bulls icon.”
Walker, a Mississippi native, went to high school in Benton Harbor, Michigan, before playing college ball at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He was a two-time All-American with the Braves, helping the team win the 1960 NIT championship. His No. 31 jersey was retired by the school in 1976.
The 6-foot-7 Walker was selected by Syracuse in the second round of the 1962 NBA draft. He averaged 12.3 points in his first season before the Nationals moved to Philadelphia and were renamed the 76ers.
In his fifth season, Walker averaged 19.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 81 games. With Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham and Walker leading the way, the deep 76ers went 68-13 during the regular season. They eliminated Cincinnati and Boston in the playoffs before defeating Rick Barry and San Francisco for the 1967 NBA title.
The 76ers said Walker “made a profound impact” on Philadelphia and the NBA.
Walker was traded to Chicago in September 1969. He made the All-Star team four more times after the deal, averaging 20.6 points in his six seasons with the Bulls.
Walker teamed with Bob Love to give Chicago a strong 1-2 scoring punch, but they were never able to reach the NBA Finals together. Love averaged 25.8 points and Walker averaged 22 per game when the Bulls went 57-25 during the 1971-72 season, but they were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.
Image credit: Associated Press
