GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina and NBA All-Star player Walter Davis died while visiting his family in Charlotte on Tuesday.
Davis was 69 and died of natural causes.
He played on the USA gold medal-winning Olympic team in 1976, but many remember him for his 25-foot shot that sent UNC into overtime against Duke in 1974.
“It is one of the most iconic shots in Carolina basketball history. It is one of the most famous shots in college basketball history,” said UNC basketball director of communications Steve Kirschner.
Kirschner said Davis was just as much of a legend off the court.
“He is a Hall of Fame-caliber player. The Phoenix Suns retired his jersey. He has been very active in community relations with several of the NBC teams. He played for the Suns and the Denver Nuggets, but Walter is just a first-class gentleman,” Kirschner said.
Davis played for North Carolina from 1973 to 1977, where he racked up 1,863 points.
He retired in 1992.
Davis is also the uncle of North Carolina basketball coach Hubert Davis Jr.
To read more about Walter Davis’ legacy, click here.