Walt Piatkowski

Walter Piatkowski Jr. (June 11, 1945 – August 18, 2025) was an American professional basketball player in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He played college basketball for the Bowling Green Falcons.

A 6'8" forward, Piatkowski began his career at Toledo Woodward High School then starred at Bowling Green State University, where he was a Converse Honorable Mention All-American in 1968. He then played in the American Basketball Association from 1968 to 1970 as a member of the Denver Rockets. He received ABA All-Rookie Team honors with the Rockets in 1969 after averaging 12.2 points per game. When the Rockets acquired Spencer Haywood the next season, Piatkowski saw his playing time drop, and in 1970, he briefly retired to work as a teacher. He returned to the ABA in the fall of 1971 as a member of The Floridians, but he was waived just a month into that season. He later became a salesman with a paper company. He was Polish American.

Piatkowski's son Eric played basketball at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln; was drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1994 as the 15th overall pick by the Indiana Pacers; and played 14 years in the NBA, mostly with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Walt Piatkowski died on August 18, 2025, at the age of 80.

Source