Former NBA player and Bill Russell recruit Donald 'Slick' Watts dies at 73

Former NBA subordinate Donald "Slick" Watts has died astatine the property of 73. 

Watts became 1 of the NBA's self-made men and a instrumentality favourite of the Seattle SuperSonics aft going from an undrafted rookie successful 1973 to the All-Defensive archetypal squad and becoming an assists and steals person successful 1976.

Watts’ son, Donald, who played for the University of Washington, announced his father’s decease Saturday connected societal media.

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Guard Donald Watts of the Mobile Revelers dribbles the shot during an NBDL crippled against the North Charleston Lowgators astatine the Mobile Civic Center successful Mobile, Ala. (Kent Smith /NBAE/Getty Images)

"You did truthful overmuch for truthful galore of us. It was an grant telephone you pops," the lad said.  

Watts had been successful mediocre wellness since a changeable successful 2021.

Watts was signed by manager Bill Russell to play for the Sonics successful 1973 arsenic an undrafted rookie. He was with Seattle for little than 5 years but became known for his wide smile, bald caput and crooked headbands. He led the league successful steals successful the 1975-76 season.

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He aboriginal played for the New Orleans Jazz and the Houston Rockets but made Seattle his location aft his vocation and often attended Sonics and Washington and Seattle Storm games.

"We are saddened by the passing of Sonics icon Slick Watts," the Storm posted to societal media. "Slick was a champion for the Storm and a beloved subordinate of the Seattle community."

Grandson Isaiah Watts, who plays for Washington State, posted respective photos of his grandfather. 

"I commune each clip they spot maine they spot you," helium wrote. "Love you past life. I got america forever. Rest successful paradise papa."

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Slick Watts of the Seattle SuperSonics brings the shot up tribunal against the Buffalo Braves during an NBA crippled astatine the Memorial Auditorium successful 1975 successful Buffalo.  (George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

From Rolling Fork, Mississippi, Watts starred astatine Grand View Junior College and Xavier of Louisiana earlier entering the NBA.

In his aboriginal years, Watts taught carnal acquisition successful the Seattle School District and ran a hoops academy with his son. He was named to the Sonics’ 40th day team.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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