Remembering former Sonics legend Slick Watts, dead at 73

A northwest basketball legend and former Seattle Supersonic Slick Watts has died at age 73.

Watts earned his nickname, “Slick,” due to his shaved head and trademark headband.

The former basketball star with a contagious, endearing smile also ran a basketball academy with his son, Donald Watts, who played for the University of Washington Huskies and Lake Washington High School.

Donald continues to run the Watts Basketball training academy founded by his father, and honored his dad Saturday with a message on X: “You did so much for so many of us. It was an honor to call you pops.” Donald also posted pictures of himself with his father, including one taken from a hospital room.

Watts suffered a debilitating a stroke in 2021, and has had other health issues since that year.

You did so much for so many of us. It was an honor call you pops. #rip #slickwatts pic.twitter.com/1CpS73n1wN

— Shooting Coach Donald Watts (@donaldwatts24) March 15, 2025

How Slick Watts became a legend

According to the Seattle Times, his hard work and showmanship led to an offer from then-coach Bill Russell to sign him as an undrafted rookie. His rookie salary was a mere $19,000.

Russell was quoted as saying, “I don’t know why I kept him.”

Slick Watts became a beloved player of Seattle Supersonic fans and played for the Sonics from 1973 to 1978, before he was traded to the then-New Orleans Jazz, midway through the 1977-78 season.

The point guard topped the National Basketball Association in both assists and steals per game during the 1975-76 season.

Seattle traded him just one year before the Sonics made back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals, losing to the Washington Bullets the first year, then winning the championship against the same team in 1979.

Post-retirement, Slick Watts became a PE teacher in Seattle

After retiring from the NBA, Watts became even more involved in the community, becoming a teacher of physical education at elementary and high schools in the Seattle School District.

He spent several decades as a teacher before leaving that career in 2017.

Slick Watts was also known for his support of other basketball organizations in the northwest, often attending games for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and University of Washington basketball.

He was considered a basketball ambassador for the city of Seattle, representing the Sonics at events and rallies even after 2008, when the Sonics were transplanted to the Midwest with a move to Oklahoma City.

The Watts basketball legacy continues in the northwest even after Slick’s passing.

His grandson Isaiah is a Cougar and just finished his second season playing basketball at Washington State University, while his granddaughter Jadyn has played for two seasons as a Western Washington University Viking.