Bill Walton was a Hall of Fame basketball player who won two championships with UCLA and two more after he joined the NBA, then became a star commentator after his playing days ended.
- Died: May 27, 2024 (Who else died on May 27?)
- Details of death: Died in San Diego of cancer at the age of 71.
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Bill Walton’s legacy
Before he was a beloved, eccentric color commentator for the NBA, Bill Walton earned respect as an all-time great on the court. Born in La Mesa, California, Walton was a star center in high school who helped lead his squad to 49 consecutive wins and two straight championships. He went on to UCLA, where he won three straight national college player of the year awards, helped the team go on an 88-game winning streak, and lead them to championships in 1972 and 1973.
Walton was the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft, going to the Portland Trail Blazers and quickly excelling on the professional level, too. He helped the Blazers nab a championship in 1977, then, the following year, won the league MVP award. Injuries hobbled the rest of his career — including years spent on his hometown team, the San Diego Clippers — but in 1986, he won his second championship with the Boston Celtics, playing as a solid back-up.
Though he struggled with a stutter until he was nearly 30, Walton overcame his condition and went into TV broadcasting after his playing days were over. At various times, he provided color commentary for all three major networks — ABC, CBS, and NBC — as well as ESPN. He was known for his offbeat approach and sense of humor, becoming a favorite among fans and players alike.
Walton won an Emmy Award in 2001 for his broadcasting work. He is in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, the California Sports Hall of Fame, and UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, among others. In 1996, he was named one of the top 50 players in history by a panel of media, players, coaches, and executives.
Tributes to Bill Walton
Full obituary: The Oregonian
