Legendary ESPN Broadcaster, and Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton Passes Away at 71
Legendary ESPN broadcaster and basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton has passed away at the age of 71 following an extended battle with cancer. He was 71.
Walton initially rose to national prominence by playing for legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA. While in college, he would lead the Bruins to their 1972 and 1973 championships, also winning three consecutive national College Player of the Year awards from 1972 through 1974.
Turning pro, Walton was selected first by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA draft. Despite being plagued by injuries, Walton would lead the Trail Blazers to an NBA championship in 1977. He would also be named the MVP of the 1977 finals. NIne years, Walton would win another title as a member of the Boston Celtics.
“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.”
A Second Career in Broadcasting
After retiring from the NBA, Walton began a second career in broadcasting. He would win an Emmy Award for his work as a sportscaster in 1991. Two years later, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Walton would join ESPN in 2022 as the lead analyst for the NBA before shifting to college basketball in 2012. It was Walton’s work broadcasting PAC-12 games that would endear him to another generation of fans.
“Bill Walton was a legendary player and a singular personality who genuinely cherished every experience throughout the journey of his extraordinary life. Bill ofent described himself as ‘the luckiest guy in the world,’ buy anyone who had the opportunity to interact with Bill was the lucky one. He was a truly special, giving person who always made time for others” ESPN said in a statement.
“Bill’s one-of-a-kind spirit captivated and inspired audiences during his second career as a successful broadcaster. We at ESPN extend out deepest condolences to Bill’s loved ones, including the entire Walton family.”
The World’s Most Famous Deadhead
Outside of his work, Wallton was perhaps best known for his love of the Grateful Dead. In total, Walton claimed to have seen more than 1,000 Dead or Dead-related shows over a five-decade period.
Walton is survived by his wife Lori and four sons: Adam, Luke, Nate, and Chris.
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