Top 5 Washington Wizards centers of all-time

Walt Bellamy is one of the most underrated players in Wizards history

A lot of people don’t realize the Wizards once used to go by the name “Packers”. But when they did, the best player was Walt Bellamy.

In 1961, the Wizards were the first expansion team and were located in Chicago, Illinois. Bellamy happened to be the Wizards’ first franchise pick and a good one.

Once he put on that jersey, he was ready to go as he had one of the greatest rookie seasons ever.

He averaged 31 points and 19 rebounds a game in his rookie season. He was just one of three players to post an average of 30 or more points in their beginning season, behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 37.6 and ahead of Oscar Roberston’s 30.5. The 19 rebounds is the third-most by a rookie. He sits behind Chamberlain, who had 27 rebounds a game, and Bill Russell’s 19.6.

Bellamy also showed he could be a dominant scorer. In his first year, he led the NBA in field goals with 973 and field goal percentage with 51 percent shooting. Obviously, at the end, he won the Rookie of the Year award.

It’s safe to say he had a promising rookie season, to say the least.

Even after all of that, he had yet to log in his best game. But that changed in 1964. On Dec. 4, 1964, he recorded 30 points and a career-high 37 rebounds in a victory against the St. Louis Hawks.

Unfortunately, the Wizards couldn’t hold onto Bellamy’s talents. During the 1965-66 season, he was traded to the New York Knicks for Johnny Green, Johnny Egan, Jim Barnes and cash.

Bellamy is currently the Wizards fourth all-time leader in rebounds with 5,438.