Last Updated on September 9, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s a detailed overview of Walt Bellamy:

  • Full Name: Walter Jones Bellamy
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on July 24, 1939, passed away on November 2, 2013, at the age of 74
  • Hometown: New Bern, North Carolina
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 0 inches
  • Weight: 225 lbs (102 kg) during his playing career
  • Height: 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 17 (US)
  • Position: Center
  • High School: Booker T. Washington High School in New Bern, North Carolina
  • College: Indiana University
  • Draft: 1st overall pick in the 1961 NBA Draft by the Chicago Packers (now the Washington Wizards)
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Chicago Packers / Zephyrs (1961–1963)
    2. Baltimore Bullets (1963–1965)
    3. New York Knicks (1965–1968)
    4. Detroit Pistons (1968–1970)
    5. Atlanta Hawks (1970–1974)
    6. New Orleans Jazz (1974)
  • Championship Rings: None (Did not win an NBA Championship)
  • Accolades:
    • NBA Career Highlights:
      • NBA Rookie of the Year (1962):
        • Bellamy had one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history, averaging 31.6 points and 19 rebounds per game. He won the Rookie of the Year award for the 1961-1962 season.
      • 4× NBA All-Star (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965):
        • Bellamy was selected to four consecutive All-Star Games early in his career, showcasing his dominance as one of the league’s premier big men.
      • All-Star Game MVP Runner-Up (1962):
        • During his first All-Star appearance, Bellamy finished as runner-up for MVP honors after scoring 23 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.
      • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1993):
        • Bellamy was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the game.
      • NBA All-Rookie First Team (1962):
        • In addition to being Rookie of the Year, Bellamy was named to the All-Rookie First Team for his exceptional debut season.
      • One of the Top Scorers and Rebounders:
        • Bellamy finished his career with 20,941 points (20.1 points per game) and 14,241 rebounds (13.7 rebounds per game), ranking among the league’s top players in both categories during his era.
      • Ironman Streak (88 Games in One Season):
        • In the 1968-1969 season, Bellamy played in an NBA-record 88 games due to being traded midseason from the New York Knicks to the Detroit Pistons, as both teams had different schedules.
      • College and International Highlights:
        • Gold Medal – 1960 Summer Olympics:
          • Before entering the NBA, Bellamy was part of the 1960 U.S. Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal in Rome. This team, which also featured future NBA legends like Jerry West and Oscar Robertson, is considered one of the best amateur teams ever assembled.
        • College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006):
          • Bellamy was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his standout college career at Indiana University, where he was an All-American.
      • Legacy:
        • One of the 50 Greatest NBA Players:
          • Although Bellamy wasn’t officially named to the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players list in 1996, he is widely regarded as one of the best centers in NBA history.
        • NBA’s All-Time Statistical Rankings:
          • At the time of his retirement, Bellamy ranked in the top 10 in both career points and rebounds. He remains highly ranked in these categories.
  • Kids: Walt Bellamy had children, but specific details are private.
  • Siblings: Information about siblings is not widely publicized.

Walt Bellamy was a dominant force in the NBA during the 1960s and 1970s, known for his scoring, rebounding, and consistency. He was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1962 and was a four-time NBA All-Star. Bellamy had an immediate impact as a rookie, setting the then-record for most points scored by a rookie in a season. He had a long and productive career, playing for several teams and finishing his career with over 20,000 points and 14,000 rebounds. Despite his individual success, Bellamy never won an NBA Championship. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.