South Meck Star Finally Gets Call To Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Walter Davis was Michael Jordan’s idol.

The pride of Charlotte, North Carolina, UNC, the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns has been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. 

It’s as bittersweet as basketball’s highest honor can get. 

Davis died five months in Charlotte at the age of 69. He attended high school in the Queen City at South Mecklenburg High School. During his time, he won three state titles with the Sabres and only lost four games.

Davis was the face of Carolina basketball in the 1970s before becoming the NBA Rookie of the Year and earning six All-Star nods. He also made an All-NBA team in back-to-back years (1978, 1979).

Over a career that spanned across three decades and over 1,000 NBA games, Davis averaged 18.9 points per game. He is the all-time leading scorer for the Phoenix Suns with 15,666 points, a record that still stands. His No. 6 jersey is retired by the Suns.

Davis will officially be enshrined this August.