Hall of Famer Bellamy dies at 74

Hall of Fame center Walt Bellamy, a four-time All-Star during 14 NBA seasons, died Saturday, according to the Atlanta Hawks. He was 74. No cause of death was announced.

Bellamy was an All-American at Indiana and won a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics before being made the No. 1 overall pick in the 1961 draft by the Chicago Packers.

Bellamy averaged 31.6 points and 19 rebounds for the Packers in 1961-62, making the All-Star team and earning the Rookie of the Year award.

He averaged 20.1 points and 13.7 rebounds in 14 seasons with the Packers, Baltimore Bullets, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Hawks and New Orleans Jazz. He retired in 1975 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

"The Atlanta Hawks family is saddened to learn of the death of Walt Bellamy at the age of 74 earlier today," the team said in a statement Saturday. "The Hawks and the National Basketball Association have lost a giant. As an Olympic gold medalist, the first overall pick in 1961, Rookie of the Year in 1962, a four-time All-Star and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, his on-court accomplishments were overwhelming. Off the court, he was equally impactful as a family man, leader in the community, mentor and friend to many."