MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) Norwood, Thomas, Frazier, Simmons (12th), Horhn Senate Resolution 129 (As Adopted by Senate) A RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE LEGENDARY NBA BASKETBALL CAREER AND LEGACY OF DONALD EARL "SLICK" WATTS FROM ROLLING FORK, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON HIS PASSING. WHEREAS, we join the basketball community and all Mississippi sports fans in mourning the passing of Donald Earl "Slick" Watts from Rolling Fork, Mississippi; and WHEREAS, Donald Earl "Slick" Watts (July 22, 1951 March 15, 2025) was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Playing with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1976, he became the first player to lead the league in both assists and steals. He remained a favorite of Sonics fans after his basketball career; and WHEREAS, Watts was born on July 22, 1951, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. His father was a mechanic and his mother was a teacher; and WHEREAS, Watts attended Grand View Junior College before transferring to Xavier University of Louisiana in 1970, where he played college basketball for three years under coach Bob Hopkins, and alongside future NBA player Bruce Seals. For the 1971-72 season, Watts and Seals led the Gold Rush to its first NAIA District 30 Men's Basketball championship defeating Nicholls State University 8583, before losing to Westmont in the 1972 NAIA basketball tournament semi-finals 7159. During his final season, Watts led the Gold Rush to their second consecutive NAIA District 30 Championship, defeating Dillard University 10180. In the 1973 NAIA basketball tournament, Watts and his teammates upset Sam Houston State University, 6760, in the second round. At the time, the Bearkats were ranked first in the country in all college division polls and had gone 34 games, over a two-year period, without a loss; and WHEREAS, Watts was not selected in the 1973 NBA draft, though he was chosen by the Memphis Tams in the second round of the 1973 ABA supplemental draft. However, Watts' college coach at Xavier University, Bob Hopkins, was a cousin of NBA legend Bill Russell, who at the time was the coach and general manager for the Seattle SuperSonics. Russell gave Watts a tryout and signed him as a rookie free agent; and WHEREAS, Slick Watts led the Sonics in assists per game (5.7) as a rookie in 197374. His playing time increased the next season, as Watts led the franchise to its first playoff berth. On February 21, 1975, Watts recorded his first career triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, while adding four steals, in a 110108 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Two days later, Watts recorded a career-high nine steals, while also scoring 13 points and adding 14 assists, during a 114100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers; and WHEREAS, after signing a three-year, $100,000 contract, Watts became a starter for the 197576 season, and would go on to lead the NBA in total assists, assists per game, total steals, and steals per game, while making the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He was the first player to lead the NBA in assists and steals in the same season. In 1976, Watts' energetic playing style, unique look, and rapport with the fans led Sports Illustrated to call him "the most popular athlete ever to perform in the state of Washington." He also received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his outstanding service to the community. Watts followed with another productive year in the 197677 season, averaging 8.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game; and WHEREAS, Watts retired from the league after the 197879 season. He had played 4 1/2 years with the Sonics, half a season with the New Orleans Jazz, and one season with the Houston Rockets; and WHEREAS, despite a somewhat short tenure with the SuperSonics, Watts remained a fan favorite. He was named to the Sonics' 40th Anniversary Team before they moved to Oklahoma City. The Seattle rap duo Blue Scholars named a song about the SuperSonics after him. Watts was a staple at Seattle sporting events, attending SuperSonics and Seattle Storm games. "Slick was a champion for the Storm and a beloved member of the Seattle community," wrote the Storm organization. The Seattle Times called him "an ambassador of Seattle basketball" and "a generational figure in the Seattle hoops scene"; and WHEREAS, Watts' sons both played college basketball, Tony at Mississippi State from 1988-92 and Donald at the University of Washington from 1995-99; and WHEREAS, Watts passed away on March 15, 2025, at the age of 73; and WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we remember the outstanding career of a Mississippi sports legend who brought honor to his hometown and to the State of Mississippi: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby remember the legendary NBA basketball career and legacy of Donald Earl "Slick" Watts from Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and extend our condolences to his surviving family on his passing. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Donald Earl "Slick" Watts, forwarded to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Thomas, Frazier, Simmons (12th), Horhn
# Senate Resolution 129
## (As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE LEGENDARY NBA BASKETBALL CAREER AND LEGACY OF DONALD EARL "SLICK" WATTS FROM ROLLING FORK, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING CONDOLENCES ON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, we join the basketball community and all Mississippi sports fans in mourning the passing of Donald Earl "Slick" Watts from Rolling Fork, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Donald Earl "Slick" Watts (July 22, 1951 March 15, 2025) was an American professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Playing with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1976, he became the first player to lead the league in both assists and steals. He remained a favorite of Sonics fans after his basketball career; and
WHEREAS, Watts was born on July 22, 1951, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. His father was a mechanic and his mother was a teacher; and
WHEREAS, Watts attended Grand View Junior College before transferring to Xavier University of Louisiana in 1970, where he played college basketball for three years under coach Bob Hopkins, and alongside future NBA player Bruce Seals. For the 1971-72 season, Watts and Seals led the Gold Rush to its first NAIA District 30 Men's Basketball championship defeating Nicholls State University 8583, before losing to Westmont in the 1972 NAIA basketball tournament semi-finals 7159. During his final season, Watts led the Gold Rush to their second consecutive NAIA District 30 Championship, defeating Dillard University 10180. In the 1973 NAIA basketball tournament, Watts and his teammates upset Sam Houston State University, 6760, in the second round. At the time, the Bearkats were ranked first in the country in all college division polls and had gone 34 games, over a two-year period, without a loss; and
WHEREAS, Watts was not selected in the 1973 NBA draft, though he was chosen by the Memphis Tams in the second round of the 1973 ABA supplemental draft. However, Watts' college coach at Xavier University, Bob Hopkins, was a cousin of NBA legend Bill Russell, who at the time was the coach and general manager for the Seattle SuperSonics. Russell gave Watts a tryout and signed him as a rookie free agent; and
WHEREAS, Slick Watts led the Sonics in assists per game (5.7) as a rookie in 197374. His playing time increased the next season, as Watts led the franchise to its first playoff berth. On February 21, 1975, Watts recorded his first career triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, while adding four steals, in a 110108 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Two days later, Watts recorded a career-high nine steals, while also scoring 13 points and adding 14 assists, during a 114100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers; and
WHEREAS, after signing a three-year, $100,000 contract, Watts became a starter for the 197576 season, and would go on to lead the NBA in total assists, assists per game, total steals, and steals per game, while making the NBA All-Defensive First Team. He was the first player to lead the NBA in assists and steals in the same season. In 1976, Watts' energetic playing style, unique look, and rapport with the fans led Sports Illustrated to call him "the most popular athlete ever to perform in the state of Washington." He also received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his outstanding service to the community. Watts followed with another productive year in the 197677 season, averaging 8.0 assists and 2.7 steals per game; and
WHEREAS, Watts retired from the league after the 197879 season. He had played 4 1/2 years with the Sonics, half a season with the New Orleans Jazz, and one season with the Houston Rockets; and
WHEREAS, despite a somewhat short tenure with the SuperSonics, Watts remained a fan favorite. He was named to the Sonics' 40th Anniversary Team before they moved to Oklahoma City. The Seattle rap duo Blue Scholars named a song about the SuperSonics after him. Watts was a staple at Seattle sporting events, attending SuperSonics and Seattle Storm games. "Slick was a champion for the Storm and a beloved member of the Seattle community," wrote the Storm organization. The Seattle Times called him "an ambassador of Seattle basketball" and "a generational figure in the Seattle hoops scene"; and
WHEREAS, Watts' sons both played college basketball, Tony at Mississippi State from 1988-92 and Donald at the University of Washington from 1995-99; and
WHEREAS, Watts passed away on March 15, 2025, at the age of 73; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we remember the outstanding career of a Mississippi sports legend who brought honor to his hometown and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby remember the legendary NBA basketball career and legacy of Donald Earl "Slick" Watts from Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and extend our condolences to his surviving family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Donald Earl "Slick" Watts, forwarded to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.