Walt Hazzard

Walt Hazzard was an American professional basketball player and coach, best known for his pivotal role on the UCLA Bruins' first NCAA championship team under coach John Wooden. A skilled point guard, he enjoyed a ten-year career in the NBA with several teams, most notably the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks. After his playing days, he transitioned into coaching, eventually leading his alma mater's basketball program. Hazzard was recognized for his contributions to the sport with inductions into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame and the Pac-12 Hall of Honor.

Early life and college career

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Hazzard moved to Philadelphia where he became a standout at Overbrook High School, following in the footsteps of other notable alumni like Wilt Chamberlain. He accepted a scholarship to play for John Wooden at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In the 1963-64 season, Hazzard was the floor general and catalyst for the UCLA team that captured the program's first national title, defeating Duke in the championship game. His exceptional playmaking earned him consensus First-Team All-American honors and the title of NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. This season marked the beginning of UCLA's unprecedented dynasty in college basketball.

NBA playing career

Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the fifth overall pick in the 1964 NBA draft, Hazzard began his professional career playing alongside superstars Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. He was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1965. In 1967, he was selected by the expansion Seattle SuperSonics in the 1967 NBA expansion draft. His most productive individual seasons came with the Atlanta Hawks, where he led the team in assists and was named an NBA All-Star in 1968. He also played for the Buffalo Braves and the Golden State Warriors before finishing his playing career with a second stint in Seattle. Over his decade in the league, Hazzard was known as a creative passer and steady ball-handler.

Coaching career

Following his retirement as a player, Hazzard embarked on a coaching career. He first served as an assistant coach at Chapman University before returning to the NBA as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors under coach Al Attles. His most prominent coaching role began in 1984 when he was hired as the head coach of the UCLA Bruins, succeeding Larry Farmer. In his second season, he led the team to the NIT championship in 1985, defeating Indiana in the final at Madison Square Garden. He coached several future NBA players, including Reggie Miller and Pooh Richardson, during his four-year tenure.

Later life and death

After his coaching career, Hazzard remained involved with UCLA and the broader basketball community. In 1996, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Mahdi Abdul-Rahman, though he later returned to using Walt Hazzard publicly. He faced significant health challenges, suffering a severe stroke in 1996 and undergoing heart surgery in 2011. He passed away on November 18, 2011, in Los Angeles due to complications from heart surgery. His death was mourned by the UCLA family and the basketball world at large.

Legacy and honors

Hazzard's legacy is firmly rooted in his role as the architect of John Wooden's first championship team, which launched a historic era for UCLA basketball. His jersey number 42 was retired by UCLA in 1996. He was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987 and posthumously into the Pac-12 Hall of Honor in 2012. He is remembered as a key figure in the integration and rise of the point guard position in both college and professional basketball during the 1960s. Category:1942 births Category:2011 deaths Category:American men's basketball players Category:UCLA Bruins men's basketball players Category:Los Angeles Lakers players Category:Atlanta Hawks players