Walt “Clyde” Frazier — Hall of Famer, two-time NBA champion, longtime New York Knicks broadcaster, and one of New York City’s most iconic sports figures — addressed graduates during Long Island University’s 2026 Centennial Commencement ceremony at Barclays Center. During the celebration, LIU awarded Frazier the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Known to generations of fans as “the voice of the Knicks,” Frazier reflected on lessons from his legendary career on and off the court, encouraging graduates to “keep striving and thriving” and “never stop reaching for your dreams.” Drafted by the Knicks in 1967, Frazier helped lead the franchise to two NBA championships and became one of the most decorated players in basketball history, earning induction into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Frazier’s appearance highlighted the university’s longstanding connection to New York basketball and capped a landmark year for LIU men’s basketball under Head Coach Rod Strickland, whose team captured the NEC Championship and earned an NCAA Tournament appearance. Earlier this year, Frazier and fellow Knicks icons Bernard King, Stephon Marbury, Allan Houston, and Rod Strickland visited campus for a special panel discussion hosted by ESPN and Knicks broadcaster Monica McNutt.
