Jimmy Walker, the great Providence guard who was named an All-American three times and led the nation in scoring in 1967, has died of lung cancer at the age of 63. Younger fans know Walker mostly because he's the father of Jalen Rose. Walker's name was often mentioned during TV broadcasts of Michigan games when Rose and the Fab Five went to two Final Fours in the 1990s. At one point they held the NCAA Division I record for most career points scored by a father-son duo.
But the TV announcers often glossed over the fact that Rose and Walker didn't know each other. Walker was out of the picture before Rose was born, and in 2005, when Rose surpassed Walker's NBA point total, he spoke in a matter-of-fact tone about the biological father he had never met. Walker and Rose look a lot alike, but the only things Rose got from Walker were facial features and basketball talent.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-05-2007 @ 3:07PM
Art Johnson said...
It is so sad to hear that Jimmy Walker has passed. I have many memories of him when he played in Kansas City and I was a teenager. He was so visible in the community. I was priviledged to play basketball with him several times and he was very encouraging.
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7-03-2007 @ 7:26PM
Steve said...
Very sad.
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7-04-2007 @ 9:47AM
Fritz Gorst said...
I grew up in Rhode Island and graduated from PC in '74 during the Ernie, Marvin era but spent countless winter evenings with my transistor radio listening to Chris Clark on WPRO 630 AM in the 60's. I had the opportunity to see him play at Alumni Hall a couple times and he was just pure magic. Rest in peace Jimmy,
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7-04-2007 @ 6:55PM
Bigno said...
I remember seeing Jimmy walker play against the then Lew Alcindor at the old Christmas festival at Madison Square Garden in 1966/1967. He was quite amazing. He was the first person I am aware of who dribbled between his legs regularly in a college game. Sad story about Jalen Rosen.
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7-05-2007 @ 7:30PM
The U is dead said...
Yes.....Lets praise a man who abandoned his son....
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7-30-2007 @ 9:20PM
ANTHONY BANKS said...
Im so sorry to hear of Jimmy Walkers passing.He was a hero to many of us here in the roxbury community of Boston.He may not have led an exemplary life to some but i remember when he did much in this community to help others.He often came to local high school games to encourage the youths from his community and we never forgot it!To his detractors i say ,He who is without sin,cast the first stone! A.Banks
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