Bill Walton, Hall of Famer and UCLA legend, dies at age 71
Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton, an iconic champion in high school, college, and the NBA, passed away on Monday following a prolonged battle with cancer, the NBA announced. He was 71 years old.
"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver in a statement. "As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him."
Walton led a remarkable life both on and off the court. Known for his skills and versatility, he was also deeply connected to the counterculture scene of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Throughout his life, he balanced his roles as a basketball player, TV analyst, and avid fan of the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young.
Standing at 6'11", Walton was one of the most skilled big men to ever play the game. His stats included 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game over 10 seasons. Despite being plagued by foot injuries that caused him to miss three full seasons, Walton amassed an impressive résumé. After a standout career at UCLA, where he won two NCAA titles under the legendary coach John Wooden, Walton was the No. 1 pick in the 1974 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He led the Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship and was named Finals MVP, with averages of 18.5 points, 19 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 3.7 blocks in the series against Philadelphia.
The following season, Walton was named the league's regular-season MVP after averaging 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks. He was a two-time NBA champion, two-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA performer, two-time All-Defensive selection, and the 1985-86 Sixth Man of the Year. He was also named one of the NBA's 75 greatest players.
Walton's life philosophy was shaped by his time at UCLA, the NBA, and his love for music. He often quoted his mentor John Wooden, who he described as a demanding yet joyful influence. "While our practices were the most demanding endeavors that I’ve ever been a part of, so physically, emotionally, mentally and psychologically taxing, there is always the sense of joy, of celebration and of people having fun playing a simple game," Walton wrote of Wooden.
Walton's off-court interests were equally eclectic. Known as "Grateful Red," he attended hundreds of Grateful Dead shows and once took members of the Celtics, including Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, to a Dead concert. "The Celtics and the Grateful Dead represent so much of everything I believe in, live for, and try to do with my life," Walton told USA TODAY Sports in 2020.
Born in La Mesa, California, in 1952, Walton was encouraged by his parents to participate in the arts. He excelled in sports, winning high school basketball championships in 1969 and 1970, and later leading UCLA to consecutive 30-0 seasons and two NCAA championships. He was named the Most Outstanding Player in both Final Fours and was a three-time national player of the year.
Walton had four sons: Adam, Nathan, Luke, and Chris. When Luke won his second NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Waltons became the first father-son duo to win at least two titles each. Walton's brother, Bruce, also played sports at UCLA and in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys.
Despite his success, Walton struggled with a severe stutter until his late 20s, a challenge he overcame with the help of New York broadcaster Marty Glickman. He also endured debilitating injuries and pain throughout his life, which culminated in a 2009 spine surgery that finally brought relief.
In his book "Back From the Dead," Walton wrote about his darkest moments dealing with chronic pain. However, the surgery allowed him to enjoy life again, including his passions for bicycling, announcing college basketball games, and attending Dead shows.
Walton's unique blend of Zen tranquility and a warrior's spirit, his love for music and sports, and his profound influence on and off the court will be remembered and cherished by many.
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