Walt Frazier facts for kids
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Frazier in 2020
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 29, 1945 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| High school | David T. Howard (Atlanta, Georgia) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Southern Illinois (1963–1967) |
| NBA Draft | 1967 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Pro career | 1967–1979 |
| Career history | |
| 1967–1977 | New York Knicks |
| 1977–1979 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 15,581 (18.9 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 4,830 (5.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 5,040 (6.1 apg) |
Walter "Clyde" Frazier Jr. (born March 29, 1945) is a famous American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Frazier was a key player for the New York Knicks, leading them to their only two championships in 1970 and 1973. He was known for being a great leader on the court and a top defender.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. After retiring from playing, Frazier became a color commentator for Knicks games on the MSG Network. He was also honored as one of the NBA's greatest players, being named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996 and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Contents
Early Life and High School
Walter Frazier Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 29, 1945. He was the oldest of nine children. Frazier went to David Tobias Howard High School in Atlanta.
He was a talented athlete, playing quarterback for the football team and catcher for the baseball team. He learned to play basketball on a rough dirt court. This was the only place available at his all-black school during the 1950s, when schools were separated by race.
College Basketball Career
Frazier received scholarship offers for his football skills. However, he chose a basketball scholarship from Southern Illinois University. He explained his choice by saying that there were no black quarterbacks in professional football at the time.
Frazier quickly became one of the best college basketball players in the country. He was named an All-American in 1964 and 1965. In 1965, he led Southern Illinois to the NCAA Division II Tournament finals. They lost a close game to Jerry Sloan and the Evansville Purple Aces. In 1966, he could not play basketball because of his grades.
In 1967, Southern Illinois and Frazier won the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). They beat Marquette University in the final game. This game was the last college basketball game played at the old Madison Square Garden in New York. Frazier was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1967 tournament.
Professional Basketball Journey
Joining the New York Knicks (1967–1977)
The New York Knicks picked Frazier as the fifth overall player in the 1967 NBA draft. He also got drafted by the Denver Rockets in the new American Basketball Association. In his first season (1967–68), he averaged 9.0 points per game and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team.
During his rookie year, Frazier earned the nickname "Clyde." This was because he wore a fedora hat, similar to the one worn by Warren Beatty in the 1967 movie Bonnie and Clyde.
In his second year, Frazier greatly improved. He averaged 17.5 points, 7.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game.
On October 30, 1969, Frazier scored 43 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and made 5 assists in a win against the Houston Rockets. He was chosen as an NBA All-Star for the first time in the 1969–70 season. He would be selected seven times during his 10 years with the Knicks.
Frazier and his teammate Willis Reed led the Knicks to the 1970 NBA Finals. In game five of the finals, Reed got a bad leg injury. Many thought the Knicks' chances of winning were gone. However, Reed bravely returned for the start of game seven, scoring the first four points before leaving the game.
With Reed out, Frazier played an amazing game. He scored 36 points, had seven rebounds, made 19 assists, and got six steals. He led New York to victory in what many call one of the best game sevens ever played.
The Knicks did not win the championship in 1971. They lost to the Baltimore Bullets in the playoffs. After that season, the Knicks traded for Earl Monroe, who was a tough player for Frazier to guard. Many wondered if Frazier and Monroe could play well together. But they soon became one of the best backcourts in the league, earning the nickname the "Rolls-Royce" backcourt.
The Knicks returned to the NBA Finals in 1972. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, who had a record-setting season.
Frazier led the Knicks to their second NBA championship in 1973. They defeated the Lakers in a five-game series. Frazier's strong defense against Jerry West was a big reason for their win.
In 1976, Frazier was chosen for his seventh and final NBA All-Star Game.
Frazier held many Knicks team records for a long time. These included most games played, minutes played, and assists. While Patrick Ewing later broke most of these, Frazier's assist record still stands.
Playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers (1977–1979)
After the 1976–77 season, Frazier was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a younger player, Jim Cleamons. Frazier was very surprised by the trade. He later said it felt like being sent to a very distant place.
Due to several foot injuries, Frazier played only 66 games over three seasons with the Cavaliers. He retired during the 1979–80 season. He played only 3 games that year before leaving the team.
Honors and Achievements
Walt Frazier received many awards and honors throughout his career:
- He won 2 NBA championships with the New York Knicks (1970, 1973).
- He was named to the All-NBA First Team four times (1970, 1972, 1974, 1975).
- He was named to the All-NBA Second Team two times (1971, 1973).
- He was an NBA All-Star seven times (1970–1976).
- He was the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1975.
- The New York Knicks retired his No. 10 jersey on December 15, 1979.
- The Southern Illinois Salukis retired his No. 52 jersey.
- He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.
- He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
- In September 2012, a double-decker tour bus in New York City was dedicated to him.
- He was elected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
- In September 2022, Frazier received the Curt Gowdy Award. This award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honors great broadcasters and journalists.
Unique Style and Commentary
Since the late 1960s, Frazier has been known for his amazing fashion sense. He was one of the first professional athletes to be famous for his style. There's even a website that tracks and rates every suit he wears while broadcasting Knicks games!
Frazier also has a line of Puma sneakers named after him. The first Puma Clyde shoes were released in 1973. Before that, only the Converse Chuck Taylor shoes had a player's name. This means Frazier was the first modern NBA star to have his own line of sneakers. The shoes are known for their "colorful style," just like Frazier.
Frazier is also famous for his rhyming and fun commentary during games. His phrases have become very popular. For example, "posting and toasting" describes a player scoring close to the basket. This phrase inspired the name of a popular Knicks blog. His phrase for playing tough defense, "tenacious D," even gave the name to actor Jack Black's musical group.
Personal Life
Walt Frazier lives in Harlem with his long-term girlfriend, Patricia James. They also have a home in St. Croix. He has a son named Walt Jr., who is also sometimes called Walt III. Frazier is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
See also
In Spanish: Walt Frazier para niños
- List of National Basketball Association career playoff triple-double leaders
