The Kansas Jayhawks lost a legend this Thursday in Walt Wesley. The former center for the Jayhawks has passed away at the age of 79.
Wesley played at Kansas from 1963-1966. In his final season with the Jayhawks, he averaged 20.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. His production in 1966 earned him All-American honors.
After an incredibly college career, Wesley was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals. He spent three seasons with them before getting traded to the Chicago Bulls.
Wesley also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Capital Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. The Florida native averaged 8.5 points per game during his professional career.
In 2004, Kansas honored Wesley by retiring his No. 13 and hanging up a banner for him in Allen Fieldhouse.
Not only was Wesley considered an exceptional basketball player, he was thought of as a true gentleman.
“Walt Wesley is one of the finest men I’ve ever known,” former Kansas coach Ted Owens said. “He was so loved by his teammates and his coaches. He was just an extraordinary man.”
Our thoughts are with Wesley’s loved ones.