Walt Hazzard (Mahdi Abdul-Rahmad)

NBA All-Star; UCLA All-American player and coach[18]

What is Walt Hazzard (Mahdi Abdul-Rahmad) known for?

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., Walt Hazzard (1942-2011), also known as Mahdi Abdul-Rahmad, left an indelible mark in the world of basketball. His journey started at Overbrook High School, Philadelphia, PA, where his team boasted an impressive record of 89-3. Further, his talent was recognized as he bagged the title of the city's player of the year in his senior year.

At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Hazzard became an integral part of the UCLA Bruins men's basketball team. He was a key contributor to the team's first national championship victory in 1964, showcasing his elite skills and leadership. The accolades didn't stop there. Hazzard also earned the USBWA Player of the Year, Helms Player of the Year, and NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player awards in 1964. He was a consensus first-team All-American and a two-time First-Team All-AAWU honoree (1963-1964). Moreover, his UCLA jersey number, 42, was retired in his honor.

Hazzard also represented the United States on the global stage, winning a gold medal at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics in the team competition. He then transitioned into his professional career, starting with the Los Angeles Lakers as a territorial pick in the 1964 NBA draft. During his playing career from 1964 to 1974, Hazzard played for several teams including the Lakers, Seattle SuperSonics, Atlanta Hawks, Buffalo Braves, and the Golden State Warriors. He achieved NBA All-Star status with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1968.

Aside from his playing career, Hazzard also had a successful coaching stint. He was a coach from 1980 to 1988, guiding teams such as Compton CC, Chapman, and his alma mater, UCLA. His coaching prowess was acknowledged with the title of Pac-10 Coach of the Year in 1987.

On the statistical front, Hazzard scored a substantial 9,087 points (averaging 12.6 points per game) over his career. He also grabbed 2,146 rebounds (averaging 3.0 rebounds per game) and made 3,555 assists (averaging 4.9 assists per game).

For more detailed statistics, visit his stats page on NBA.com or Basketball-Reference.com.

Walt Hazzard's stellar career speaks to his skills, dedication, and impact on the court, both as a player and a coach. His life and career were a testament to his passion for the game of basketball, offering inspiration to future generations.