On this day in 1945, basketball legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier was born in Atlanta

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Knickerbocker Walt Frazier, 19, recovers loose ball during first period of game against Detroit in Madison Square Garden, New York, Thursday, Jan. 29, 1970. Contesting is Otto Moore, 20. (AP Photo)
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On March 29, 1945, basketball legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier was born in Atlanta. As the point guard for the New York Knicks, his impressive career included averaging 19.3 points per game and setting numerous team records in points scored, games played, and assists.

Basketball player Walt Frazier of the New York Knicks models a black mink fur coat outside Manhattan’s Plaza Hotel Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1974. The coat was one of a number of mink fashions displayed at the Annual Ben Kahn Fur Collection showing in New York. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis)

Frazier’s career spanned seven NBA All-Star games. He clinched two championships with the Knicks in 1970 and 1973, solidifying his status as a basketball icon. Frazier was also the first athlete paid to endorse a sneaker, a suede style made by Puma.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to basketball, Frazier was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1987.

New York Knicks Walt Frazier hangs over shoulders of Chicago Bulls John Mengelt after Mengelt tried to stop Frazier from reaching the basket with the ball in second quarter action of their NBA game at Madison Square Garden, in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1977. Frazier managed to score despite the attempted block. (AP Photo/Carlos Rene Perez)
Walt Frazier, number one draft choice of the New York Knicks is shown outside Madison Square Garden in New York City, on June 22, 1967, after signing with the National Basketball Association Club. Frazier, 6′ 4″, was a guard on the Southern Illinois team that took the 1966 NIT Championships. (AP Photo/Ray Howard)

Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.

Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC. Twitter: @claycane

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