Walt Davis facts for kids
Davis at the 1952 Olympics
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| Personal information | |||||||||||
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| Born | January 5, 1931 Beaumont, Texas |
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| Nationality | American | ||||||||||
| Died | November 17, 2020 (aged 89) Port Arthur, Texas |
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| High school | Nederland (Nederland, Texas) | ||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) | ||||||||||
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| College | Texas A&M (1949–1952) | ||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1952 / Round: 2 / Pick: 13th overall | ||||||||||
| Selected by the Philadelphia Warriors | |||||||||||
| Pro career | 1953–1958 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| 1953–1958 | Philadelphia Warriors | ||||||||||
| 1958 | St. Louis Hawks | ||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career statistics | |||||||||||
| Points | 1,558 (4.8 ppg) | ||||||||||
| Rebounds | 1,397 (4.3 rpg) | ||||||||||
| Assists | 231 (0.7 apg) | ||||||||||
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Medals
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Walter Francis "Buddy" Davis (born January 5, 1931 – died November 17, 2020) was an amazing American athlete. He first became famous for winning a gold medal in the high jump at the 1952 Olympics. After that, he became a professional basketball player.
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A Champion Athlete
Walter Davis was born in Beaumont, Texas. When he was nine years old, he got sick with polio. This illness made it so he couldn't walk for three years. But Walter didn't give up! He worked hard to get better and became a standout athlete.
Overcoming Challenges
Even after his illness, Walter Davis had an amazing sports career. He went to Texas A&M University and showed everyone how talented he was. His determination helped him achieve great things.
Olympic Gold Medalist
In 1952, Walter Davis competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. He won a gold medal in the high jump event! He jumped an incredible 2.04 metres (6 ft 8+1⁄4 in), which was a fantastic achievement. This made him an Olympic champion.
Basketball Career
After his success in the Olympics, Walter Davis decided to play professional basketball. The Philadelphia Warriors picked him in the second round of the 1952 NBA draft. He was a tall player, standing 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) (about 2.03 meters) tall.
He played for five seasons in the NBA. He was with the Philadelphia Warriors and later the St. Louis Hawks. During his career, he averaged 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He was a power forward and center.
Awards and Recognition
Walter Davis's incredible athletic achievements were recognized many times.
- In 1964, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 2016, he was also added to the Texas Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Walter Davis passed away on November 17, 2020, in Port Arthur, Texas. He was 89 years old. He will always be remembered as a true champion in both track and field and basketball.
See also
In Spanish: Walt Davis para niños
