Last Updated on April 3, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here are the details for Walter Dukes:

  • Full Name: Walter Henry Dukes
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born September 10, 1936
  • Hometown: New York City, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters)
  • Weight: 230 pounds (104 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 18 (US)
  • Number: Wore 10 and 11 during his NBA career
  • Position: Center
  • High School: Dewitt Clinton High School in The Bronx, New York
  • College: Seton Hall University (1954–1957)
  • NBA Draft: 1957 NBA Draft, 2nd round (14th overall pick) by the Detroit Pistons
  • Teams Played For:
    • Detroit Pistons (1957–1961)
    • New York Knicks (1961–1963)
    • Cincinnati Royals (1963–1964)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Information not widely available
  • Siblings: Information not widely available

Walter Dukes’ player archetype was that of a classic rebound-first defensive center: a legitimate seven-footer who controlled the glass, protected the interior with size, and gave teams an old-school paint presence in the 1950s and early 1960s. Defensively, he functioned as a physical back-line anchor, using his length and strength to contest inside shots, own rebounding space, and make life harder for opposing bigs around the rim. Offensively, he was more of a supporting interior option than a featured scorer, doing most of his work near the basket through put-backs, close finishes, and opportunistic post touches rather than finesse-heavy shot creation. Physically, Dukes stood 7-foot-0 and played with a lean but imposing frame for his era, and his overall play style was rugged, direct, and interior-oriented—built on rebounding dominance, paint control, and the kind of size that made him valuable even without a highly polished offensive game. (Basketball Reference)

Fun Facts

  • Standing at 6’10”, he was a formidable presence on the court. Although he played during an era with a few notable big men, Dukes was able to carve out a niche as a strong, physical center, particularly known for his rebounding ability.
  • His NBA career spanned several years, but he is often remembered for his time with the Detroit Pistons.

Sources:

Seton Hall Athletics — Seton Hall Retired Numbers
Basketball-Reference — Walter Dukes Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Seton Hall Athletics — 2017-18 Seton Hall Men’s Basketball Notes
NBA.com — 1961 NBA All-Star recap