Walt Hazzard, a cornerstone of UCLA’s basketball history, was recently celebrated with induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, a testament to a career that blended championship success, professional excellence, and mentorship.
Early College Years
Hazzard helped the Bruins capture their inaugural national championship in 1964, finishing the season with a perfect 30‑0 record. He earned First Team All‑American honors and averaged 18.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game during that campaign, while also contributing 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game over his collegiate career.
Professional Path
After being selected fifth overall in the 1964 NBA Draft, Hazzard enjoyed a ten‑year professional career that included stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Atlanta Hawks, the Buffalo Braves, and the Golden State Warriors. He was selected to a single All‑Star Game and became known for his steady scoring and playmaking.
Coaching Chapter
Transitioning to the sidelines, Hazzard coached UCLA from 1984 to 1988. During his tenure he guided the team to its first NIT championship and compiled a 77‑47 record, highlighted by a single NCAA Tournament appearance.
Honors and Remembrance
UCLA honored Hazzard by retiring his No. 42 jersey in 1996, and the following year he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame alongside other luminaries. His legacy also lives on through Kevin Love, who was permitted to wear the retired number during his time at UCLA, linking past and present Bruins.
Beyond the trophies and jerseys, Hazzard’s influence persists through the coaches and players he mentored, the standards he set at UCLA, and the reverence he commands among basketball historians. His story remains a vivid chapter in the annals of college basketball, echoing the impact of mentors like John Wooden and contemporaries such as Gail Goodrich, Danny Ainge, and Jay Wright.