Slick Watts, former Seattle SuperSonics legend, dies at age 73
Former Seattle SuperSonics legend Donald Earl "Slick" Watts has died at age 73. Watts, who earned his nickname for his shaved head, was a Sonics fan favorite who was known for his off-kilter headbands and his role as a proponent of Seattle basketball.
Watts' son, Donald, who runs the Watts Basketball training academy founded by his father, honored his dad on social media Saturday. Watts suffered a stroke in 2021, and had dealt with health issues in the years since.
"You did so much for so many of us. It was an honor to call you pops," Donald Watts wrote.
You did so much for so many of us. It was an honor call you pops. #rip#slickwattspic.twitter.com/1CpS73n1wN
— Shooting Coach Donald Watts (@donaldwatts24) March 15, 2025
Undrafted out of Xavier University of Louisiana, a small school in New Orleans, Watts played for the Sonics from 1973 to 1978, just missing out on the team's 1979 NBA Championship. The point guard led the league in assists and steals per game in 1975-1976.
Watts spent only seven years in the league, and five years with the Sonics, but gained significant popularity in the Seattle area. He was a known figure in the community, putting down long-term roots in Seattle after his retirement.
Watts became a teacher after retiring from the league, coaching basketball and teaching physical education at elementary and high schools in the Seattle School District. Watts spent multiple decades as a teacher before retiring from that career in 2017.
While teaching, Watts was known for attending basketball games in the area, including the WNBA's Seattle Storm and University of Washington basketball. He served as a de facto ambassador for Seattle basketball, even after the Sonics were moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, repping the Sonics at events, rallies and more.
Topics
-
Former Sonics guard, Seattle fan favorite Slick Watts dies at 73
Watts played five years for the Sonics and remained in Seattle after his careerCBS Sports - 2d -
Slick Watts, N.B.A. Fan Favorite and Headband Pioneer, Dies at 73
An undrafted, 6-foot-1 point guard with patchy hair, he made an enduring fashion statement and became seen as the ultimate Seattle SuperSonic.The New York Times - 1d -
Former Sonic and Seattle fixture Slick Watts passes away at 73
Donald “Slick” Watts, a fan favorite for the SuperSonics and later a beloved teacher and coach in Seattle, has died. Watts had been in poor health following a stroke in 2021. Watts was signed by ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Seattle Sonics legend Slick Watts dies at 73
Watts played six seasons in the NBA, including the first four and a half with the Seattle SuperSonics, who he signed with as a free agent out of Xavier University of Louisiana.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Former Sen. Alan Simpson dies at age 93
Former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.) a moderate conservative known for his witty humor who was appointed to lead a commission on deficit reduction by former President Obama, died Friday at the age of ...The Hill - 3d -
Cooper Kupp signing with Seahawks: Former Rams star WR joining Seattle on three-year, $45M deal, per report
Kupp is taking his talents to SeattleCBS Sports - 3d -
Excitement builds in businesses as they prepare for March Madness in Seattle
Eight teams, thousands of fans and millions of dollars will be coming to Seattle as the Emerald City plays host to the first and second rounds of the March Madness NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Former Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson dies at age 93
Former U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson, a political legend whose quick wit bridged partisan gaps in the years before today’s political acrimony, has died. He was 93.NBC News - 3d -
Seattle Seahawks sign former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp stays in the NFC West, signing with the Seattle SeahawksYahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 19h -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 21h -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
Deion wants foe for CU spring game; Cuse willing
Colorado coach Deion Sanders wants to save spring football games by having teams practice against another team for a week before playing them in a scrimmage.ESPN - 3m -
Belichick flips 4-star Ruffin from A&M to UNC
Four-star defensive tackle Trashawn Ruffin, No. 238 in the ESPN Junior 300, flipped his commitment from Texas A&M to North Carolina on Monday, marking the Tar Heels' highest-rated new pledge since ...ESPN - 3m -
Rose win Unrivaled's first women's 3-on-3 title
Rose beat Vinyl in the Unrivaled championship game, capping the inaugural season of the women's 3-on-3 basketball league.ESPN - 3m -
Brink 'icked out' by replies to Sparks' male tryouts
Sparks forward Cameron Brink said she was unsettled by the response she saw online to a call by the team for men to try out for the practice squad.ESPN - 3m -
Kerr says Curry 'exhausted,' could sit vs. Bucks
After watching Stephen Curry struggle against an undermanned Nuggets team Monday night, coach Steve Kerr said the Warriors superstar is "exhausted" and in need of a rest day.ESPN - 3m