Walter Dukes

Walter F. Dukes (June 23, 1930 – March 13, 2001) was a center who played professional basketball for the New York Knicks (1955–1956), the Minneapolis Lakers (1956–1957), and the Detroit Pistons (1957–1963). Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he later lived in Rochester, New York, attending public schools in both cities, including East High School in Rochester, where he played high school basketball. In 1948 he moved to South Orange, New Jersey, to attend Seton Hall Preparatory School, graduating with the class of 1949.

Dukes went on to Seton Hall University, where he played for the Seton Hall Pirates and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He set the NCAA Division I men's record for most rebounds in a season, a mark he has held for over 70 years. As a college senior, he stated that earning a law degree was more important to him than professional basketball, though he intended to pursue both if possible, comparing his approach to that of George Mikan.

He continued his education alongside his playing career, earning a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University and an LLB degree from New York Law School in 1960. He also attended The Sorbonne in France.