Walter Davis

American basketball player known for his smooth shooting and scoring ability, NBA Rookie of the Year 1978, 6-time All-Star with Phoenix Suns

Walter Davis was born in Pineville, North Carolina in 1954 and attended the University of North Carolina where he won the 1976 Olympic gold medal with the USA. Phoenix Suns selected him fifth overall in the 1977 NBA Draft. His 15-season career produced 18.9 points per game and six All-Star appearances. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 1978. He was nicknamed Sweet D for his smooth, effortless scoring style. He averaged 24.8 points per game for Phoenix in 1978-79 — his finest individual season. He spent 11 seasons as Phoenix's primary scorer and became one of the most beloved players in franchise history. He overcame cocaine addiction in the mid-1980s, entering rehabilitation and returning to productive basketball — one of the earlier prominent cases of an NBA player publicly addressing and recovering from substance dependency. He spent his final seasons as a high-scoring reserve for Denver and Portland. He was inducted into the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor after his retirement. His combination of scoring ability, athleticism and longevity across 15 seasons makes him one of the most productive Suns players in franchise history.

Smooth shooting guard with excellent mid-range game and graceful athleticism

One of the most elegant shooters in NBA history and key player in Suns franchise development

• Rookie of the Year (1978)
• All-Star 6x
• Olympic Gold Medal (1976)