Jimmy Walker was a basketball star who played nine seasons in the NBA as a member of the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Kansas City Kings. He was a two-time All-Star who scored 11,655 points in his career. He was also the father of former NBA player Jalen Rose, though he had no relationship with him. Walker died on July 2, 2007, at the age of 63, from complications related to lung cancer. This article will explore his life, career, and death in more detail.
Early Life and College Career
Walker was born on April 8, 1944, in Amherst, Virginia. He grew up in Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood, where he developed his basketball skills. He attended Laurinburg Institute, a black preparatory school in North Carolina, and later earned a scholarship to play at Providence College.
At Providence, Walker played under head coach Joe Mullaney. He was a prolific scorer who averaged 23 points as a junior and led the nation with 30 points per game as a senior. He was a consensus first-team All-American in 1966 and 1967, and the NCAA season scoring leader in 1967. He also won the MVP award of the Holiday Basketball Festival at Madison Square Garden twice, becoming the first player to do so. He was considered to be the first college player to use the between-the-legs dribble as a cross-over move.
Walker’s 2,000-plus career points led Providence for four decades, until his all-time scoring record was broken in 2005 by Ryan Gomes. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
NBA Career and Achievements
Walker joined the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in 1967, being selected by the Detroit Pistons. He was chosen before future NBA greats Earl Monroe, Walt Frazier, and Pat Riley. He teamed up with Hall of Famer Dave Bing in the backcourt, forming a potent scoring duo. Walker’s scoring jumped from 11.7 to 20.8 points per game in his third season, and he averaged at least 15 points per game for the rest of his career. He made the All-Star team in 1970 and 1972, representing the Pistons.
Walker was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1972, where he played one season. He then moved to the Kansas City-Omaha Kings, where he spent the last three seasons of his career. He retired in 1976, having played 731 games and scored 11,655 points, averaging 16.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game. He also shot 44.8 percent from the field and 80.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Walker never won an NBA title, nor did he play in the playoffs after his rookie year. He was overshadowed by other guards of his era, such as Monroe, Frazier, Jerry West, and Oscar Robertson. However, he was still regarded as one of the best offensive players of his time, with a versatile skill set that included range, ball-handling, and passing.
Personal Life and Death
Walker was the biological father of Jalen Rose, who played 13 seasons in the NBA and is now a sports analyst and commentator. However, Walker left Rose’s mother before he was born and never had any contact with him. Rose tried to reach out to Walker several times, but was rejected. Walker also had other children from different relationships, but was estranged from most of them.
Walker died on July 2, 2007, at the age of 63, from complications related to lung cancer. He had been living in Kansas City, Missouri, for several years, but was largely unknown and isolated. He was buried in a pauper’s grave, with no family or friends attending his funeral. His death was reported by the Kansas City Star, and later confirmed by Providence College and the NBA.
Walker’s legacy as a basketball player is still remembered by his former teammates, coaches, and fans. He was a talented and charismatic player who entertained the crowds with his scoring and style. He was also a troubled and lonely man who struggled with his personal demons and relationships. He left behind a son who followed his footsteps in the NBA, but never knew him as a father. He was Jimmy Walker, the NBA star who died of lung cancer.
