HBCU Legends

Honoring Slick Watts: Celebrating the Legacy Of An HBCU And NBA Legend

Slick Watts was more than just a bald head and contorted colorful headband, he is a legendary figure that we modeled growing up in New Orleans.

Kyle T. Mosley

Slick Watts
Slick Watts / Dec. 1, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Supersonics guard Don Watts (13) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Pete Maravich (44) at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images | Manny Rubio-Imagn Images
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HBCU and NBA legend Donald Earl "Slick" Watts passed away on Mar. 15, 2025, at age 73. The baldheaded guard with his signature headbands left an indelible mark on basketball in the 1970s. We loved to watch his hustle, improvisational skills, and defensive play.   

In the years before his stroke, Watts was involved in community activism and helping youth. He had an enduring connection to Seattle and New Orleans.

Slick Watts' death had me to recollect my time as a young kid growing up in New Orleans. I watched with admiration how Donald "Slick" Watts played basketball. During my childhood in the '70s, my father and I would attend college and professional (Jazz, Saints) sporting events in New Orleans. I recall attending games at "The Barn" on Xavier University's campus, where Slick Watts was a superstar.

One memorable night, Watts and the Gold Rush faced off against their crosstown rival, Dillard University, in a highly competitive contest before a sold-out crowd. What an unforgettable experience! I can't recall who won the game, but the energy and passion in the small HBCU arena were incredible. It was a great game.

Slick Watts
Slick Watts / Courtesy: XULA; Dec. 1, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Supersonics guard Don Watts (13) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Pete Maravich (44) at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images | Manny Rubio-Imagn Images

"Young people need someone to look up to. That's what America is all about, or should be. So I try to do whatever I can to reach as many people as I can," Watts said in an interview.

Watts was signed as an undrafted free agent by basketball legend Bill Russell. When Watts was a rookie, his college coach and Russell's cousin, Bob Hopkins, recommended him. Russell, who was serving as the head coach and general manager for the Seattle team, requested for Watts to attend a camp - the rest was history.

The New Orleans Xavier Herald headlines stated, "Donald' Slick' Watts Makes Sonics Roster." Seattle signed Watts because Russell noted, "Watts was the best-looking guard in camp and oftentimes embarrassed the other players."

Slick Watts
Dec. 1, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Supersonics guard Don Watts (13) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Pete Maravich (44) at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images / Manny Rubio-Imagn Images

NBA Career and Seattle Legacy

Former Sonics owner Sam Schulman offered Watts a "three-year contract for upwards of $100,000 per year and unheard-of figure for a walk-on."  

Watts became a fan favorite during his five and half seasons with the SuperSonics (1973-1978), becoming the first NBA player leading the league in assists (8.1/game) and steals (3.2/game) during the same season (1975-76). 

"I'm the type of ball player who gets his kicks by getting other people to score and getting my assists," Watts to the AP.

His high-energy style defined Seattle's pre-championship era. Lenny Wilkins took over for Watts' collegiate coach, Bob Hopskins, who lasted 22 games with the Sonics. The team traded to the Jazz mid-season before Seattle's 1979 NBA title campaign.

He played 39 games with the New Orleans Jazz. Like many fans in the city, we were happy at his arrival. The following season, he signed with the Houston Rockets before retiring in 979. Despite not finishing his career in Seattle, he remained one of the franchise's ambassadors.

Slick Watts
Dec. 1, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Supersonics guard Don Watts (13) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Pete Maravich (44) at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images / Manny Rubio-Imagn Images

Key NBA highlights:

  • Named to NBA All-Defensive First Team (1976)
  • Part of Seattle's 40th Anniversary Team (2007)
  • First NBA player to lead the league in both assists and steals. (1975-76)
  • First NBA player to popularize the bald look as a fashion statement
  • He had four triple-doubles in his NBA career

Why The Bald Head

Watts pioneered the bald head in professional sports. Why? He suffered a football injury at 13 while growing up in Mississippi. The injury damaged his scalp, resulting in patches of hair growth.

He decided to shave his head to avoid being seen with these patches. Later, he added and popularized wearing the headband. Today, NBA star LeBron James wears a headband in each game.

HBCU Roots at Xavier University

Before his NBA career, Watts starred at Xavier University of Louisiana – a historically Black Catholic university (HBCU) – where he:

  • Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (2011)
  • Earned NAIA All-American honors (1972)
  • Led back-to-back 20-win seasons
  • Secured two NAIA District 30 championships for Xavier
  • Became Xavier's first inductee into the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame (1991)

Community Impact and Later Life

Watts transitioned seamlessly from athlete to educator after retirement:

  • Taught physical education at Seattle's MLK Jr. Elementary for 20 years
  • Co-founded the Watts Basketball Academy with son Donald
  • Received the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1976) for community service
  • Advocated for Seattle basketball even after the SuperSonics' 2008 relocation

After his stroke in 2021, Watts required constant care until his passing. The tributes flooded social media, with his son Donald Watts Jr. writing: "You did so much for so many us. It was an honor to call you pops."

Donald "Slick" Watts was born on July 22, 1951, and raised in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. He married his Xavier college sweetheart, Debra Foster of Mobile, Alabama. His son, Donald Watts Jr, survives him.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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