Walter Davis, among the greatest players in the University of North Carolina and Phoenix Suns history, died Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023, of natural causes in Charlotte. He was 69.
The 6-foot-6 forward from Pineville, N.C., scored 1,863 points, grabbed 620 rebounds and passes for 409 assists at UNC under Coach Dean Smith.
In 1977, against Duke, Mr. Davis hit the long shot in regulation that completed one of the greatest comebacks on any level.
The Tarheels overcame an eight-point deficit in the final 17 seconds to send the game into overtime and eventually win.
The fifth overall draft choice in 1977, Mr. Davis was a six-time NBA All-Star and 1978 Rookie of the Year with the Suns, who retired his No. 6 jersey. He averaged 19 points per game for his NBA career from 1977 to 1992.
Mr. Davis’ nephew, Herbert Davis, is now the head coach at UNC.
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