A legend for each the Bulls and 76ers has handed away this weekend. Chet Walker, who went on to turn into a seven-time NBA All-Star, has handed away on the age of 84. The Jet, as he was well-known throughout his time as an expert, has died for causes nonetheless unknown, because the police haven’t revealed the reason for his dying but.
Each his former groups have posted emotional statements on Saturday night time, simply because the information of his passing away had surfaced on-line. “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Chet Walker, a legendary determine in our staff’s historical past,” the Chicago staff wrote.
“An inductee of the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame, Chet left an indelible mark on the court docket and within the hearts of followers. Throughout his six seasons with the Bulls from 1969 to 1975, the staff by no means missed the playoffs,” the assertion continued.
Relaxation In Peace Chet Walker 💔
Anybody who brings a championship to Philly is endlessly a legend pic.twitter.com/o0wRNJpZIg— SixersShowYo (@SixersShowYo) June 9, 2024
The Bulls acknowledged that issues for the franchise began to show round when he arrived in Illinois. “He was a seven-time NBA All-Star and an inaugural member of the Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor,” they added. “His talent, dedication and contributions to the sport made an enduring influence on the game of basketball and town of Chicago.
“We lengthen our heartfelt condolences to his household, associates and all who have been touched by his legacy. Chet Walker will endlessly be remembered as a real Chicago Bulls icon.”
The Sixers additionally acknowledged Walker’s path by means of their franchise and celebrated his life with one other submit on the staff’s social media. “Chet Walker spent the primary 7 seasons of his Corridor of Fame profession with our franchise & delivered a championship in ’67,” it reads.
“Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Jet,’ Walker made a profound influence in our metropolis & inside our League. Our condolences exit to the Walker household & their associates,” the staff posted in a press release.
Chet was first drafted by the Syracuse Nationals in 1962, however Philadelphia would snatch and commerce him to turn into his first staff within the league. It will be there the place he received the 1967 NBA Finals, in a 4-2 triumph in opposition to the San Francisco Warriors.
His former Bulls supervisor acknowledged his contribution to ascertain Chicago as a viable metropolis for skilled basketball
In line with Pat Williams, who served because the Bulls’ Basic Supervisor throughout Chet’s time on the membership, acknowledged his influence in Chicago. A while in the past, the manager defined why Chet’s contribution helped set up town as a viable vacation spot for skilled basketball.
“The game hadn’t made it in Chicago going again a long time they usually have been once more trying to transfer the staff,” he stated, because the membership’s regular-season victory complete grew from 33 to 51 inside two campaigns alongside Walker. “However when Chet received there, every little thing modified.”
Billy Cunningham, who was certainly one of his former teammates and presenters at his 2012 Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame induction ceremony, shared what it felt to play alongside The Jet.
“He was sluggish — you have been sluggish, Chet — however you simply couldn’t cease the person,” stated the Sixers icon. “He simply took you to the spot on the court docket, faked you, went up over you, took it to the outlet, or somebody was open and he’d discover the open man.”
