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Walter Jones Bellamy (July 24, 1939 – November 2, 2013) was an American professional basketball player. He played 14 seasons as a center in the National Basketball Association, playing for four different teams. As a star for Indiana University in basketball in rebounds, he was invited to join the 1960 United States men's Olympic basketball team. In the Games that year, the team won every game by an average of over 40 points and is considered among the best amateur level basketball teams of all time. Bellamy was the first overall pick of the 1961 draft, where he was selected by the expansion team Chicago Packers. In his rookie season, he averaged 31.6 points per game and 19 rebounds on his way to winning Rookie of the Year in what has been called one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history.

Key Information

After over four seasons with the team (which moved to Baltimore in 1963), he was traded to the New York Knicks in 1965. He played nearly four seasons before being traded to the Detroit Pistons, whereupon he played two seasons before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in the close of the 1969-70 season. He played four seasons for the team before playing one game for the New Orleans Jazz to close his career. Bellamy reached the Conference Finals twice in his career but never played in the NBA Finals.[1] A durable player who played over 70 games in thirteen consecutive seasons, he was an efficient scorer and rebounder who averaged 20 points and 13 rebounds for a career while being named an NBA All-Star four times in his career. Bellamy was the second player (after Wilt Chamberlain) to obtain 20,000 points and 14,000 rebounds for a career; only seven other players have achieved the mark since Bellamy.[2] Bellamy was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice: 1993 for his individual career and again in 2010 as a member of the 1960 team.

Early life

[edit]

Bellamy was born on July 24, 1939, in New Bern, North Carolina. Money was tight and food sparse for his family. His father and grandfather were Masons, and his older brother was an early advocate against segregation. Bellamy attended West Street School and J.T. Barber High School where the 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 14-year-old learned basic basketball skills from coach Simon Coates. As a senior in 1956, he was on the football team that won a state championship, with Bellamy gaining All-State honors as a football player. In the same year, he had 47 points in a state playoff basketball game, averaged 31 points per game, and was All-State in basketball. He graduated in 1957. There is a street named for him in New Bern.[3][4][5]

College career

[edit]

Bellamy chose to play basketball at Indiana University. About the experience, he recalled: "In the summer after my junior year of high school I played with some guys from Indiana. Indiana at the time was the closest school to the South that would accept African-Americans. It was an easy transition for me to make. Not that I was naive to what was going on in Bloomington in terms of the times, but it didn't translate to the athletic department or the classroom. Every relationship was good."[6]

Bellamy graduated from Indiana University holding the school record for most rebounds in a career with 1,087 in only 70 games, or 15.5 per game. He also averaged 20.6 points per game and had a 51.7 percent field goal percentage for his college career. As a senior, Bellamy averaged 17.8 rebounds per game (still Indiana's record).[7][8] He also holds the school records for most rebounds in a season (649) and most double-doubles in a career (59). In 2000, he was selected to Indiana University's All-Century Team.[8]

In his final college game, he set an Indiana and Big Ten Conference record that still stands with 33 rebounds in an 82–67 win over Michigan.[9][10] Bellamy was named an All-American in both his junior and senior year (1960 and 1961). Bellamy was the first Hoosier taken No. 1 in the 1961 NBA draft and the first Hoosier named NBA Rookie of the Year.[8]

1960 Olympics

[edit]

Bellamy was the starting center on the gold medal-winning 1960 American basketball team at the 1960 Summer Olympics.[11] 10 of the 12 college players on the undefeated American squad went on to play professionally in the NBA, including fellow Big Ten player Terry Dischinger (a future Bellamy NBA teammate in Chicago and Baltimore[12][13][14]), and fellow future Hall of Famers Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, and Jerry Lucas. The team produced four consecutive NBA rookies of the year, and three members of the NBA's 50 greatest players list announced in 1996.[15][16][17]

NBA career

[edit]
Bellamy (No. 8) averaged 31.6 points per game and 19.0 rebounds per game during his rookie season.

Chicago Packers/Zephyrs and Baltimore Bullets

[edit]

Bellamy had a stellar 14-year career in the NBA, and was the NBA first overall draft pick in 1961, drafted by the Chicago Packers.[18] Bellamy was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1962 after having arguably one of the three greatest rookie seasons in NBA history along with Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson.[8][19] His 31.6 points per game average that season is second all-time for a rookie to Wilt Chamberlain's 37.6, and the 19 rebounds per game[20] he averaged that season is the third-best all-time rookie mark (to Chamberlain's 27 and Bill Russell's 19.6).[8] No NBA rookie has since surpassed Bellamy's 973 field goals during the 1961–62 season, and the only rookie with more field goals was Wilt Chamberlain with 1,065.[21]

Bellamy also led the NBA in field goal percentage in his rookie season (ahead of Chamberlain),[22] and had a 23-point, 17-rebound performance in the 1962 NBA All-Star Game.[23] From 1964-1966 he was the all-time leader in field goal percentage, but was passed by Chamberlain.[11] In his first game against Chamberlain, in 1961, Bellamy did not score in the first half, Chamberlain blocking Bellamy's first nine shots.[24][25]

Members of the 1963–64 Baltimore Bullets, from left to rightː Rod Thorn, Charles Hardnett, Walt Bellamy, Gus Johnson, and Terry Dischinger. Thorn, Bellamy and Johnson were elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

In the 1964–65 season, Bellamy scored 37 points and had 37 rebounds in a win against the St. Louis Hawks.[26][27] His 37 rebounds was his career-high in rebounds.[28] Bellamy played with the Chicago Packers (1961-1962), renamed the Chicago Zephyrs the next season (1962-1963), and then the Baltimore Bullets,[29] for his first four seasons.

New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons

[edit]

Bellamy was traded from the Bullets to the New York Knicks for Johnny Green, Johnny Egan, Jim Barnes and cash on November 1, 1965. He had been coveted by the Knicks since he entered the league.[30]

Due to trades to teams with offset game schedules during the 1968–69 season when he was traded (with Howard Komives) from the Knicks to the Detroit Pistons for Dave DeBusschere, Bellamy set a still-standing record for NBA games played in a single season with 88,[19] playing 35 games with the Knicks and 53 with the Pistons.[20] Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Media Award writer Peter Vecsey believes that the significance of this trade to the Knicks future success obscured the fact that Bellamy was one of the top players in NBA history.[31]

Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Jazz

[edit]

He later played for several seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. He was drafted by the New Orleans Jazz in the 1974 NBA expansion draft. Bellamy played in the first game of the franchise on October 17, 1974, playing fourteen minutes and scoring six points while recording five rebounds in the 89-74 loss to the New York Knicks. It was his final NBA game as he was waived shortly after the game ended.[32][20]

Bellamy ended his NBA career with 20,941 points and 14,241 rebounds.[19]

Legacy and honors

[edit]

Bellamy is a two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, being inducted in 1993 for his individual career,[19] and in 2010 as a member of the 1960 United States men's Olympic basketball team.[15]

When Bellamy retired, he was the sixth all-time leading scoring and third all-time in rebounding.[19]

Personal life

[edit]

After his retirement from the NBA, Bellamy was active with the NAACP, the Atlanta Urban League, the YMCA in the Atlanta area, and served on the boards of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Atlanta Police Athletic League and the National Scholarship Service for Negro Students.[33][34] He served as a Goodwill Ambassador and member of the Executive Committee of the NAACP's Georgia State Conference. In 1987, he was elected first president of the College Park, Georgia NAACP branch.[34] From 1977-81 he was Senate sergeant-at-arms in Georgia's General assembly, was chair of the Fulton County Democratic Committee, and was a delegate to the 1976, 1984 and 1988 Democratic National Conventions.[34][5] On October 13, 1974, he was honored with the Atlanta Salutes Walt Bellamy Day because of his civic contributions during his playing career.[35]

Bellamy was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[36] His half-brother is professional boxer Ron Bellamy.[3]

Death

[edit]

Bellamy died on November 2, 2013, at the age of 74.[37] He was survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen Hollie Ragland Bellamy, son Derrin Bellamy, and two grandsons. He was buried at Atlanta's South-View Cemetery.[38]

NBA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 ‡  NBA record

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1961–62 Chicago 79 – 42.3 .519 – .644 19.0 2.7 – – 31.6
1962–63 Chicago 80 – 41.3 .527 – .674 16.4 2.9 – – 27.9
1963–64 Baltimore 80 – 42.4 .513 – .651 17.0 1.6 – – 27.0
1964–65 Baltimore 80 – 41.3 .509 – .685 14.6 2.4 – – 24.8
1965–66 Baltimore 8 – 33.5 .452 – .597 12.8 2.3 – – 19.0
1965–66 New York 72 – 42.8 .512 – .627 16.0 3.0 – – 23.2
1966–67 New York 79 – 38.1 .521 – .636 13.5 2.6 – – 19.0
1967–68 New York 82 – 32.9 .541 – .662 11.7 2.0 – – 16.7
1968–69 New York 35‡ – 32.5 .507 – .619 11.0 2.2 – – 15.2
1968–69 Detroit 53‡ – 38.2 .512 – .663 13.5 1.9 – – 18.8
1969–70 Detroit 56 – 20.9 .547 – .562 7.1 1.0 – – 10.0
1969–70 Atlanta 23 – 37.2 .491 – .605 13.5 3.8 – – 15.5
1970–71 Atlanta 82 – 35.5 .493 – .604 12.9 2.8 – – 14.7
1971–72 Atlanta 82 – 38.9 .545 – .585 12.8 3.2 – – 18.6
1972–73 Atlanta 74 – 37.9 .505 – .538 13.0 2.4 – – 16.1
1973–74 Atlanta 77 – 31.7 .486 – .608 9.6 2.5 .7 .6 13.1
1974–75 New Orleans 1 – 14.0 1.000 – 1.000 5.0 .0 .0 .0 6.0
Career 1,043 – 37.3 .516 – .632 13.7 2.4 .7 .6 20.1
All-Star 4 3 20.8 .500 – .526 7.5 1.0 – – 12.0

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1965 Baltimore 10 – 42.7 .468 – .663 15.1 3.4 – – 20.9
1967 New York 4 – 39.3 .519 – .586 16.5 3.0 – – 18.3
1968 New York 6 – 46.2 .421 – .625 16.0 3.5 – – 20.0
1970 Atlanta 9 – 40.9 .468 – .717 15.6 3.9 – – 16.8
1971 Atlanta 5 – 43.2 .594 – .759 14.4 2.0 – – 20.8
1972 Atlanta 6 – 41.2 .488 – .628 13.7 1.8 – – 18.5
1973 Atlanta 6 – 41.2 .395 – .452 12.2 2.2 – – 13.7
Career 46 – 42.2 .471 – .642 14.8 3.0 – – 18.5

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Walt Bellamy

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Walter Jones Bellamy (July 24, 1939 – November 2, 2013) was an American professional player who competed as a . Born in , Bellamy excelled at from 1958 to 1961, where he earned All-American honors in 1960 and 1961, led in rebounding, and set the school's all-time rebounding record at the time. As a , he contributed to the men's national team that won the gold medal at the in , defeating opponents by an average margin of 42 points. Selected as the first overall pick in the by the Chicago Packers, Bellamy won NBA Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season of 1961–62, averaging 31.6 points and 19.0 rebounds per game. Over a 14-season NBA career spanning teams including the Baltimore Bullets, , , and New Orleans Jazz, he appeared in four All-Star Games from 1962 to 1965 and retired as the sixth-leading scorer (20,941 points) and third-leading rebounder (14,241 rebounds) in league history, with career averages of 20.1 points and 13.7 rebounds per game. Bellamy was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 for his playing career and again in 2010 as part of the 1960 Olympic team.

Early life and education

Birth and family background

Walter Jones Bellamy was born on July 24, 1939, in , a coastal city in Craven County with a population of approximately 30,000 at the time. He was the son of Walter Bellamy Sr., born in 1919 in , and Theo Jones. Bellamy grew up in New Bern, where his family resided during his early years; he later had a half-brother, Ron Bellamy, who recalled Walt as an inspiration to locals without noting any familial controversies or notable wealth. Limited public records exist on his parents' occupations or extended family dynamics, but New Bern's economy in the and 1940s centered on , , and naval-related industries due to the nearby Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station established in 1941.

High school career

Bellamy attended J. T. Barber High School in , where he distinguished himself as a multi-sport , particularly in and football. In , he developed core skills under coach Simon Coates, who emphasized fundamentals and influenced Bellamy's early technique on the court and playground. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch as a 14-year-old, Bellamy focused on building proficiency in basic maneuvers, setting the foundation for his later prowess as a . These efforts marked him as a standout performer and top college recruit upon graduation in 1957. He also excelled in football, earning All-State honors and helping lead the team to a state championship in 1956, showcasing his athletic versatility during high school.

College career

Indiana University performance

Bellamy joined the as a in the 1958–59 season, ineligible for varsity play as a per the era's rules, and immediately established himself as a dominant . In 22 games, he averaged 17.4 points and 15.2 rebounds per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 61.0 percent from the free-throw line. His rebounding prowess led the team, contributing to a campaign that showcased his physical dominance at 6-foot-11 and 225 pounds. As a junior in 1959–60, Bellamy elevated his scoring to 22.4 across 24 contests, with 13.5 rebounds per game, improving his field-goal to 53.5 percent and free-throw accuracy to 70.2 percent. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for his contributions, helping anchor ' frontcourt despite the team's middling conference standing. Bellamy's versatility as a scorer and rebounder was evident, though his rebounding dipped slightly amid increased defensive attention. In his senior year of 1960–61, Bellamy maintained elite production with 21.8 points and a team-high 17.8 rebounds per game in 24 games, shooting 50.1 percent from the field. He repeated as first-team All-Big Ten selection and garnered consensus second-team All-American recognition, underscoring his national impact. Bellamy was named University's for the season, reflecting his leadership in rebounding and scoring. Over his three-year varsity career, Bellamy amassed 1,441 points and 1,087 rebounds—averaging 20.6 points and 15.5 rebounds per game—with a 51.7 percent career field-goal rate. He set records for career rebounds (later surpassed but held for decades), single-season rebounds (428 in 1960–61), and double-doubles (59), while grabbing a single-game high of 33 rebounds. These figures highlighted his rebounding dominance and efficiency, though did not advance to the NCAA Tournament during his tenure, limited by Big Ten competition.

International career

1960 Summer Olympics


Walt Bellamy, a 6-foot-11-inch center from Indiana University, was selected for the United States men's national basketball team for the 1960 Summer Olympics held in Rome, Italy, from August 25 to September 10. As one of 12 college players on the roster, which also featured future NBA stars like Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas, Bellamy earned the starting center position due to his rebounding prowess and defensive skills demonstrated in collegiate play. In eight games, Bellamy averaged 7.9 points and contributed on the boards, helping the undefeated American squad secure the gold medal by defeating opponents with dominant margins, including a 90-63 victory over in the final. His role emphasized interior defense and rebounding, aligning with the team's strategy of overwhelming international competition through superior athleticism and size. The victory marked the fourth consecutive Olympic gold for the U.S. men, extending their unbeaten streak in the tournament. Bellamy's Olympic experience highlighted his transition from college dominance—where he led Indiana in rebounds—to international competition, foreshadowing his professional career as the first overall pick in the 1961 NBA draft.

Professional NBA career

Rookie year with Chicago Packers/Baltimore Bullets

Walt Bellamy entered the NBA as the first overall pick in the 1961 draft, selected by the expansion Chicago Packers from . His debut occurred on , 1961, marking the start of a season that showcased his dominance as a 6-foot-11 . During the 1961-62 season, Bellamy appeared in 79 games for the Packers, averaging 31.6 points, 19.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 51.9% from the field. These figures led the team in scoring and rebounding, despite the Packers' dismal 18-62 record, which placed them fifth in the Western Division. His scoring efficiency and rebounding prowess stood out in an era dominated by elite big men like , including a notable game where Bellamy outscored Chamberlain with 37 points in a 119-115 loss. Bellamy's exceptional rookie performance earned him the NBA Rookie of the Year award and a starting spot in the 1962 , where he contributed significantly to the Western Conference's victory. Analysts have retrospectively described his season as one of the most impressive in league history, given the volume of production on a struggling . The Packers' poor team success highlighted Bellamy's individual impact, as he accounted for a substantial portion of their offensive output in a averaging around 115 .

Mid-career trades: New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons

On November 1, 1965, the New York Knicks acquired Bellamy from the Baltimore Bullets in exchange for forwards Johnny Green and Jim Barnes, guard Johnny Egan, and an undisclosed amount of cash. During his tenure with the Knicks spanning parts of four seasons (1965–66 to 1968–69), Bellamy appeared in 268 games, averaging 18.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. His scoring and rebounding peaked in 1965–66 with 23.2 points and 16.0 rebounds per game over 72 contests, though output declined to 16.7 points and 11.7 rebounds in 1967–68 amid emerging competition from teammate Willis Reed at center. Bellamy's role shifted as the Knicks prioritized positional flexibility, leading to his trade on December 19, 1968, to the Detroit Pistons for forward Dave DeBusschere and a future draft pick; guard Howard Komives accompanied Bellamy to Detroit. The deal allowed the Knicks to install Reed permanently at center, contributing to their subsequent Eastern Division titles and NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. With the Pistons over 109 games in 1968–69 and 1969–70, Bellamy averaged 14.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, highlighted by 18.8 points and 13.5 rebounds in 53 appearances during the trade-affected 1968–69 season—a year in which he set the NBA single-season record with 88 games played across both teams due to scheduling overlaps. His production waned to 10.0 points and 7.1 rebounds in 1969–70, prompting a midseason trade to the Atlanta Hawks in February 1970.

Late career: Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Jazz


Bellamy was traded to the from the on February 2, 1970. He played the remainder of the 1969–70 season and full seasons from 1970–71 through 1973–74 with , appearing in hundreds of games as a providing rebounding and scoring support amid declining production due to age. In the 1973–74 season, his final full year with the Hawks, Bellamy averaged 13.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game over 77 appearances. Following the 1973–74 season, Bellamy was selected by the expansion New Orleans Jazz in the NBA on May 20, 1974. He appeared in the franchise's inaugural game on October 17, 1974, logging 14 minutes, but played no further contests that season before retiring from professional basketball. This single outing marked the end of Bellamy's 14-year NBA career, during which he accumulated 20,941 points and 14,241 rebounds across five teams.

Playing style and skills

Strengths and physical attributes

Bellamy stood at 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m) tall and weighed 225 pounds (102 kg), providing him with the ideal frame for dominating the paint as a center in the NBA during the and . His long reach and solid build enabled him to contest shots effectively and secure positioning under the basket, contributing to his reputation as a formidable presence on both ends of the court. As , Bellamy excelled in scoring , a career field goal percentage of .516, which underscored his skill in executing mid-range jump shots and shots atypical for centers of his size. He averaged 20.1 over 13 seasons, demonstrating consistent productivity as a scorer who could operate from the low post or perimeter without relying heavily on volume attempts. On defense, his physical attributes facilitated strong rebounding, with a career average of 13.7 rebounds per game, including a league-leading 19.0 rebounds per game as a rookie in 1961-62. Bellamy's durability further amplified these strengths, as he appeared in 70 or more games in 13 consecutive seasons, rarely missing time due to injury despite the physical demands of his position.

Criticisms of effort and motivation

Throughout his NBA career, Walt Bellamy faced recurring criticisms from coaches and observers regarding inconsistent effort and motivation, often described as performing at a high level only against elite competition while exerting minimal energy in less challenging matchups. His first NBA coach with the Chicago Packers/Baltimore Bullets, , stated that "Walt wasn't a highly motivated player, night in and night out," noting that Bellamy would deliver standout performances followed by subpar ones. frequently reprimanded Bellamy for standing around during games and fined him twice specifically for lack of hustle during the 1961-62 season. These issues persisted across teams, with Bellamy labeled as "lazy" and a frequent target of criticism for laggard behavior and poor defensive rebounding effort, particularly in later seasons with the . Incidents included coaches exploding at him for insufficient intensity, such as failing to sprint back on defense, which drew audible rebukes audible to officials. Observers attributed Bellamy's motivational lapses to a that prioritized comfort over consistent competitiveness, contributing to perceptions of him as underachieving relative to his physical talents despite strong statistical outputs in select years.

Achievements and statistical records

NBA awards and All-Star selections

Bellamy was named the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 1961–62 season, recognizing his league-leading scoring average of 31.6 points per game and rebounding mark of 19.0 per game across 79 appearances with the Chicago Packers. This accolade highlighted his immediate impact as the first overall draft pick, though he competed against other standout in an dominated by elite big men. He earned selections to the in each of his first four professional seasons, appearing in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965. These honors reflected voter recognition of his consistent production and defensive presence in the paint during his early years with the Packers (later Bullets). Bellamy's appearances ceased after the 1964–65 season, coinciding with team transitions and a gradual decline in per-game efficiency amid increased competition from players like and . Beyond the Rookie of the Year award, Bellamy received no further major NBA individual honors, including nominations, despite finishing in the top 12 of MVP voting in 1962–63 and accumulating over 20,000 career points. His awards profile underscores a strong start overshadowed by the era's emphasis on playoff success and defensive metrics, where statistical volume alone did not always translate to additional accolades.

Career milestones and rankings

Bellamy was selected as the first overall pick in the by the Packers. In his rookie season of 1961–62, he won the NBA Rookie of the Year award while leading the league in scoring (31.6 ) and rebounding (19.0 rebounds per game), along with field goals made (973). He earned four consecutive NBA All-Star selections from 1962 to 1965. Over his 14-season career spanning 1,043 games, Bellamy averaged 20.1 points and 13.7 rebounds per game, achieving double-doubles in all but three seasons. At retirement in 1975, his career totals ranked him sixth all-time in points (20,941) and third in rebounds (14,241), placing him among only nine players ever to surpass 20,000 points and 14,000 rebounds. He also ranked third in career at .516. Bellamy was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

Career statistics

Regular season

Bellamy compiled 20,941 points, 14,241 rebounds, and 2,494 assists across 1,043 regular-season games in his 14-year NBA career, averaging 41.9 minutes per game while shooting 51.6% from the field and 62.5% from the free-throw line. His per-game averages stood at 20.1 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. These figures reflect consistent production as a starting , peaking in his rookie year with 31.6 points and 19.0 rebounds per game for the Chicago Packers before declining gradually amid team changes and age. The table below details his regular-season per-game statistics by season:
SeasonTmGMPFG%TRBASTPTS
1961-62CHP7942.3.51919.02.731.6
1962-63CHZ8041.3.52716.42.927.9
1963-64BAL8042.4.51317.01.627.0
1964-65BAL8041.3.50914.62.424.8
1965-662TM8041.9.50615.72.922.8
1966-67NYK7938.1.52113.52.619.0
1967-68NYK8232.9.54111.72.016.7
1968-692TM8835.9.51012.52.017.4
1969-702TM7925.7.5238.91.811.6
1970-71ATL8235.5.49312.92.814.7
1971-72ATL8238.9.54512.83.218.6
1972-73ATL7437.9.50513.02.416.1
1973-74ATL7731.7.4869.62.513.1
1974-75NOJ114.01.0005.00.06.0
Career104338.5.51613.72.420.1
Abbreviations: Tm = Team; G = Games played; MP = Minutes per game; FG% = Field goal percentage; TRB = Total rebounds per game; AST = Assists per game; PTS = Points per game. 2TM indicates multiple teams in a season.

Playoffs

Bellamy participated in seven playoff series across his NBA career, appearing in 46 games with teams including the Baltimore Bullets, New York Knicks, and Atlanta Hawks, and posting an overall record of 17 wins to 29 losses. His playoff performance yielded career averages of 18.4 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in 41.7 minutes of play, with shooting splits of 48.2% from the field and 65.0% from the free-throw line. These figures reflected a slight dip in scoring efficiency compared to his regular-season marks but maintained his rebounding dominance against playoff competition. The following table summarizes Bellamy's per-season playoff statistics:
SeasonTeamGMPFG%FT%RPGAPGPPG
1964-65BAL1042.7.468.66315.13.420.9
1966-67NYK439.3.519.58616.53.018.3
1967-68NYK646.2.421.62516.03.520.0
1969-70ATL940.9.468.71715.63.916.8
1970-71ATL543.2.594.75914.42.020.8
1971-72ATL641.2.488.62813.71.818.5
1972-73ATL641.2.395.45212.22.213.7
Career4641.7.482.65014.82.918.4
Bellamy's highest single-game playoff scoring outputs reached 29 points on two occasions, in with the Bullets and with the Hawks, underscoring his scoring capability in postseason elimination games. Despite consistent production, his teams advanced to the conference finals twice but never reached the .

Personal life

Family and relationships

Bellamy was born on July 24, 1939, in , to parents Walter Bellamy and Theo Jones. He met Helen Hollie Ragland, from a family noted for its height, at a social mixer in 1957, initiating a relationship that led to their in the summer of 1960. The couple remained married for 53 years until Bellamy's death in 2013, during which time they raised one son, Derrin Bellamy, who was joined by two grandsons. No public records indicate additional marriages or significant romantic relationships beyond this long-term union.

Post-retirement activities

After retiring from the NBA in 1974, Bellamy settled in , Georgia, where he engaged extensively in community service and civic activities. He worked as a public consultant for the in Atlanta during his later years, advocating for civil rights and community development. Bellamy was also an active member of the Atlanta Urban League and the , focusing on youth programs and local initiatives. In 1977, Bellamy served as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Georgia Senate, escorting dignitaries such as Prince Charles and introducing them to legislative proceedings. He held the position of commissioner for Atlanta's , emphasizing youth athletic and educational programs, and mentored young people at the local on Campbelltown Road. Additionally, Bellamy contributed as a board member for a nursery school, directed special events for a scholarship fund supporting minority students, and remained involved with the Fraternity. Bellamy participated in political activities as a four-time delegate to the . He supported community events, including a at Georgia Prep Sports Academy in August 2013 to assist student-athletes with academic preparation for scholarships. His church affiliations included membership in Shaw Temple A.M.E. Church in and Clinton A.M.E. Church in .

Death and legacy

Cause of death

Walt Bellamy died on November 2, 2013, in , at the age of 74. The , the team for which he played from 1970 to 1974, announced his death without disclosing a specific cause, stating only that Bellamy had been ill. He had attended the Hawks' home opener against the the day prior. No details or medical records were released to the public, leaving the precise medical circumstances undisclosed in official reports.

Historical reception and impact

Bellamy received acclaim during his playing career for his scoring and rebounding prowess, highlighted by his 1962 NBA Rookie of the Year award after averaging 31.6 points and 19.0 rebounds per game, yet contemporaries and coaches often critiqued him for inconsistent effort and perceived apathy, fostering a narrative that he underperformed on winning teams despite double-double averages in most seasons. Frequently traded amid struggling franchises—from the expansion Chicago Packers to the Baltimore Bullets, , , , and New Orleans Jazz—his individual dominance was overshadowed by era-defining centers like and , limiting team success and All-NBA honors to just one second-team selection in 1963–64. In historical assessments, Bellamy's reputation has evolved to emphasize his underappreciated consistency and durability, with career totals of 20,941 points and 14,241 rebounds placing him among only nine players to exceed 20,000 points and 14,000 rebounds, alongside his league-third .516 field-goal percentage at retirement. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 1993—18 years after retiring—he is credited as an offensive force and defensive anchor who competed effectively against elite big men, though analyses note his stats benefited from the high-paced, low-efficiency era and weaker supporting casts. Bellamy's broader impact includes bolstering NBA expansion teams like the Packers (later Zephyrs), where his rookie output symbolized the league's growth, and contributing to the first all-Black in 1964–65 with the Bullets, advancing . His record 88 games played in the 1968–69 season, spurred by a midseason trade, exemplified endurance in a grueling era, while his 1960 Olympic gold medal and role in inspiring analytical —such as influencing Jerry Krause's methods—underscore his foundational influence on professional structures.

References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bellawa01.html
  2. https://iuhoosiers.com/honors/indiana-university-athletics-hall-of-fame/walt-bellamy/187
  3. https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/walt-bellamy/
  4. https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-legend-walt-bellamy
  5. https://www.legendsofbasketball.com/alumni/walt-bellamy/
  6. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bellamy-2203
  7. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Bellamy-2204
  8. https://www.newbernsj.com/sports/basketball-bellamy-leaves-legacy/article_2b3e07ed-98d4-5ccb-a901-44dce5cda56a.html
  9. https://ncshof.org/2023/01/walt-bellamy/
  10. https://from-way-downtown.com/2024/08/27/walter-bellamy-vs-the-nba-1963/
  11. https://nsjonline.com/article/2020/04/100in100_craven/
  12. https://hofbbplayers.com/walt-bellamy/
  13. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/walt-bellamy-1.html
  14. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/indiana/men/leaders-and-records.html
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/indiana/men/1961.html
  16. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/walter-jones-jr-bellamy
  17. https://usopm.org/1960-mens-basketball-team/
  18. https://www.basketball-reference.com/international/teams/united-states/1960.html
  19. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/history/320-mens-olympic-basketball-tournament/2531/players/191801-walt-bellamy
  20. https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/1960-united-states-olympic-team/
  21. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHP/1962.html
  22. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3120245/2022/02/11/nba-75-when-it-comes-to-amazing-stats-nothing-in-league-history-matches-the-majestic-1961-62-season/
  23. https://www.espn.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/63724/the-strange-great-career-of-walt-bellamy
  24. https://www.nytimes.com/1965/11/02/archives/knicks-get-bellamy-from-bullets-give-barnes-green-egan-and-cash-for.html
  25. https://www.nytimes.com/1968/12/20/archives/bellamy-and-komives-of-knicks-sent-to-pistons-in-deal-for.html
  26. http://www.espn.com/nba/columns/ramsay_drjack/1553691.html
  27. https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Walt-Bellamy/Summary/66188
  28. https://www.facebook.com/IUHoosiers/posts/honoring-walt-bellamy-indiana-basketball-1958-1961/1059011836265595/
  29. https://www.nba.com/player/76144/walt-bellamy
  30. https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3585446
  31. https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2010/9/7/1674548/18779467369
  32. https://hoopsanalyst.com/big-bells-bellamy/
  33. https://slamonline.com/nba/walt-bellamy/
  34. https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2013/11/3/5059496/walt-bellamy-atlanta-hawk-great-nba
  35. https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/roy.html
  36. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/walt-bellamy-playoff-career-win-loss-record
  37. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/walt-bellamy-most-points-in-a-playoff-game
  38. https://www.nba.com/hawks/features/walt-bellamy-atlanta-icon-and-court
  39. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5139677/bio/
  40. https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2013/11/2/Former_IU_Great_Walt_Bellamy_Dies_At_74
  41. https://atlantadailyworld.com/2013/12/27/remembrances-atlanta-loses-sports-legend-activist-as-walt-bellamy-dies-at-74/
  42. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/9918538/hall-fame-center-walt-bellamy-dies
  43. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/04/sports/basketball/walt-bellamy-hall-of-famer-and-footnote-dies-at-74.html
  44. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/obituaries-of-note-walt-bellamy-johnny-kucks/2013/11/05/8faf6df4-459d-11e3-b6f8-3782ff6cb769_story.html
  45. https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-passings-20131103-story.html
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