Walt Bellamy
The Big Bell anchored the Knicks' frontcourt from 1965 to 1968.
Walt Bellamy was an American professional basketball player who played center for the New York Knicks from 1965 to 1968. He was traded to the Knicks in 1965 and played nearly four seasons with the team before being traded to the Detroit Pistons. Bellamy never played in the NBA Finals.
- Role
- Center
- Affiliation
- New York Knicks (and Chicago Bulls)
- NBA All-Star Selections
- 7 times in his career
- Career Rebounding Average
- 14.5 rebounds per game
- Status
- Retired / Hall of Fame Inductee
- Key Era
- Late 1960s to early 1970s
Lore & Background
Bellamy was the first overall pick of the 1961 NBA draft, selected by the Chicago Packers. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1962 after averaging 31.6 points and 19 rebounds per game. He was a four-time NBA All-Star during the first four seasons of his career. Bellamy was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 for his individual career and again in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team.
In Their Own Story
The Madison Square Garden crowd roared as Bellamy crashed through the lane, absorbing contact from two defenders before slamming the ball home. Sweat flew from his brow under the harsh arena lights as he turned and sprinted back on defense, his shadow looming over the opposing guards. In that moment, the sheer power of the '60s Knicks was palpable, anchored by a man who refused to yield an inch.
Reader's Guide
Bellamy played for the New York Knicks from the 1965–66 season until December 19, 1968, when he was traded to the Detroit Pistons. He never played in the NBA Finals and was traded before the Knicks won their first championship. He averaged over 20 points and 13 rebounds per game for his career.
Did You Know?
- Bellamy was the second player after Wilt Chamberlain to score 20,000 points and have 14,000 rebounds in a career.
- He had a double-double in every game he played during his rookie season.
- Bellamy set an Indiana single-game rebounding record with 33 rebounds in his last collegiate game.
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