UNC Basketball Legend Added As A Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Nominee

Recently, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced their nominees for the Class of 2024, including a former UNC Basketball player, Vince Carter. Just over a week after that announcement, the Hall of Fame has announced two additions to those nominees, including another Tar Heel.

Former UNC Basketball player Walter Davis has been added as a nominee to the ballot for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Davis, who passed away on November 2nd at the age of 69, is a first-time nominee for the Hall of Fame.

Davis, who was the uncle of current North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis, played under legendary UNC Basketball coach Dean Smith from 1973-1977 while averaging 15.7 points per game. During his time as a Tar Heel, he earned second-team All-ACC honors in 1976 and first-team All-ACC honors in 1977.

Following being drafted in the first round with the fifth overall pick by Phoenix in 1977, he would go on to have a remarkable 15-year NBA career lasting through 1992, including being named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1978 and an NBA All-Star six times. His No. 6 jersey is retired by the Phoenix Suns.

The eligible candidates will be narrowed down to the finalists on Friday, February 16, during the NBA All-Star Weekend, with the entire Class of 2024 being announced during Final Four Weekend on Saturday, April 6th. To learn more about the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and view the list of eligible candidates, please click here. To learn more about the election process, click here.

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