UCLA-NBA Basketball Great Walt Hazzard Dies

Los Angeles - NBA All-Star Walt Hazzard, who starred in college for UCLA before going on to an 11-year NBA career and an Olympic Games gold medal, died Friday in Los Angeles aged 69.

Hazzard passed away at the Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center after a lengthy illness, UCLA said in statement.

He was the number-one draft pick in 1964, joining the Los Angeles Lakers. He stayed with the team until 1967, before spending time with the Seattle SuperSonics, Atlanta Hawks, Buffalo Braves and Golden State Warriors. He was an All-Star in 1968.

Following his professional playing career, he went on to coach his alma mater.

"He was a great player and an outstanding coach at UCLA," Bruins head basketball coach Ben Howland said.

"He is a huge part of the Bruin legacy, and he left life-long memories for the Bruin faithful. We will all miss Walt, and we send our love to his family."

A statement from Hazzard's family was also posted on the UCLA website. It read, "Walt Hazzard aka Mahdi Abdul Rahman passed away this afternoon at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center surrounded by family and friends. Hazzard had been recuperating for a long period due to complications following heart surgery."

Hazzard is survived by his widow Jaleesa, a Bruin song girl during the 1964 NCAA title season, and four grown sons -- Yakub, Jalal, Khalil and Rasheed.