What Slick Watts' Historic NBA Career Said About the Man
by Dr. Daudi Abe
In 1973, the 27th annual NBA draft consisted of 20 rounds. A total of 211 picks were made, and Slick Watts' name was never called. For some, this might have been a sign that dreams of professional basketball were not in the cards, but for one man, it simply meant taking a different route.
Donald Earl Watts was born on July 22, 1951, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Legend has it that the nickname "Slick" came when a scalp injury as a young teen that never healed properly led to Watts shaving his head, a hairstyle not so common in that era. Slick made his mark in college during three seasons at Xavier University of Louisiana (1970–73) where he finished as the school's career leader in points and assists. His lasting contributions to sport in the Pelican State were recognized when he was inducted into the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991, the Allstate Sugar Bowl Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 1996, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Xavier University of Louisiana Hall of Fame in 2022.
Slick's disappointment at being undrafted by the NBA increased his hunger to play, and led to his college coach Bob Hopkins convincing his cousin — none other than then-Sonics coach Bill Russell — to give Slick a tryout in 1973.
During the 1974–75 season, Slick averaged double figures for the Sonics during their very first playoff appearance in franchise history. In 1975–76 he became the first player ever to lead the NBA in assists and steals in the same season. Slick captivated Seattle like few individuals before him, as an article from the February 23, 1976, edition of Sports Illustrated noted:
"Whether or not Slick Watts is the most popular athlete ever to perform in the state of Washington is no longer in question. Forget Hugh McElhenny, Elgin Baylor and Lenny Wilkens. The question now is: Why do Washingtonians regard a totally bald six-foot, 24-year-old black backcourtman as the most popular person ever to live in the state?"
The piece described Slick as "an odd-looking sort of basketball player, gnomish with quicksilver moves, a shiny scalp and a gold or green headband," a nod to the pioneering item that became a part of his legacy and is a recurring piece of basketball fashion to this day.
As much as there is to say about Slick Watts the player, here is where I attempt to connect that singular 1975–76 season with his entire life. The story in Sports Illustrated also pointed out:
"Last year Slick made more than 300 appearances around Seattle. He visited the Salvation Army and B'nai B'rith. At high schools he spent hours playing one-on-one with any kid that got in line. He lit up wards at children's hospitals, and at elementary schools he bent down so little children could rub his shiny head. His answers to their questions delighted the kids and teachers alike. Why does he wear the headband? 'To keep the hair out of my eyes.' Why is his head bald? 'I shave it and oil it so I can slip through the other team's defense easier.' In the evenings he handled the parents at Rotary Club and PTA meetings with equal facility. He never refuses a requested appearance unless his schedule prohibits it, and never refuses an autograph except just before a game."
In addition to that historic season on the court, Slick also became the second winner of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for exemplary community service. His activity and service in the community became legendary during a time before professional athletes brought cameras with them to document their deeds in efforts to build their brands.
After being traded to the New Orleans Jazz, Slick retired from basketball following the 1978–79 season and returned to Seattle to pursue his passion, working with youth. This work came in a variety of forms. For over 20 years he worked as a teacher in the Seattle School District, and he served as a community ambassador for the Sonics before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.
His son, Donald, has continued Slick's tradition of giving back to young people. I first had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know Slick in the mid-2000s when my son played for Donald's "Watts Reign" AAU basketball team. While there was certainly plenty of basketball knowledge to be shared as Donald led the University of Washington to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, Slick would often come by Watts Reign practices and reiterate Donald's messaging around competing in life and serving others.
In 2011 legendary local hip-hop duo Blue Scholars released a tribute song that was essentially a series of name checks of various Seattle neighborhoods and past athletes. Of course, the track was titled "Slick Watts."
The man who made NBA history brought that game to the greater Seattle area. He racked up assists long after he stopped playing by doing what he could to positively influence everyone he came in contact with, and was always a fierce defender of young people. Rest in peace to the one and only Donald Earl "Slick" Watts, a man who showed us all how to truly be about our community.
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