Christian Welp, UW's All-Time Leading Scorer, Dies at Age 51 | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

University of Washington basketball legend Christian Welp has passed away at the age of 51 after reportedly suffering a heart attack.

Eldridge Recasner, a fellow Husky legend and former teammate of Welp's for one season, announced the news on Twitter Sunday afternoon: 

Eldridge Recasner @erecasner

BREAKING: It is with the HEAVIEST of hearts that I have to announce that we have lost @UW_MBB LEGEND Chris Welp to a apparent heart attack.

The school confirmed his passing: 

Washington Athletics @UWAthletics

Christian Welp, the all-time leading scorer in @UW_MBB history, has passed away.

Welp, a German-born center, played for Washington from 1984 through 1987. Although many stars have passed through Montlake since then, he remains the school's all-time career leader in points scored (2,073), field goals made (820) and blocked shots (186). He is fourth in rebounds (995). 

His individual success helped put Washington basketball on the map in the mid-'80s. Teaming up with future Seattle SuperSonics star Detlef Schrempf, Welp helped the Huskies to Pac-10 titles in his first two years on campus. Washington, which went to the NCAA tournament just once in the 30 years before Welp, went to the Big Dance three times during his career. 

Recasner, former teammate Paul Fortier and Seattle radio host Dave "Softy" Mahler provided their thoughts on his passing: 

Eldridge Recasner @erecasner

Chris Welp's #40 should be hanging in the rafters @AlaskaAir Arena at Hec Edmundson and it's a shame he didn't live to see it there.

Dave Softy Mahler @Softykjr

Just talked 2 Coach Fortier. Shocked. Chris Welp was one of the great players in UW history and an awesome dude. Gone way too soon. R.I.P.

Coach Fortier @CoachFortier

Today has been a tough day, in the passing of my @UW_MBB teammate Chris Welp! Thoughts and Prayers to his family!!

Welp was a first-round pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1987 NBA draft. He played just three seasons with the Sixers, San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors before enjoying a successful career overseas in Germany and Greece.      

He was inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in 2001.