Long-time member of the Los Angeles Lakers Walt Hazzard passed away Friday from natural causes at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss released the following statement concerning Hazzard. “Walt was a man of extremely high character, who served the Lakers for many years as a player, a scout and a consultant. Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time, and we feel fortunate that he was part of the Lakers family for so many years.”
Hazzard was drafted by the Lakers with their first round draft choice in 1964 after leading the UCLA Bruins to a 30-0 record and the NCAA National Championship the previous spring. Hazzard played three seasons for the Lakers, before being selected by the expansion Seattle Super Sonics prior to the 1967-68 season.
Hazzard re-joined the Lakers organization in 1994 as a scout. He remained a team consultant for 15 years following a stroke in 1996.
Walt Hazzard was 69.
