What Gov. Spencer Cox, the Pac-12 Conference and others said about Bill Walton’s death

Bill Walton during a game between Arizona and UCLA Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in Tucson, Ariz. | Rick Scuteri

Basketball legend Bill Walton died Monday after a long battle with cancer, the NBA announced on behalf of his family.

Walton, who was 71, will be remembered for his college play at UCLA, his Hall of Fame NBA career and the big personality he brought to his broadcasting assignments.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver tried to capture Walton’s unique kind of magic in a statement included in the league’s press release announcing his death.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” he said. “What I will remember most about him was his zest for life.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was among those sharing memories of Walton on social media Monday. He described an interview that went off the rails during a 2018 event.

“It was as hilarious and insane and exasperating as you can imagine. … He was a 1 of 1 and we will miss him,” Cox wrote.

I love Bill Walton. In 2018 I got to interview him for 20 mins…that turned into 1 hr and 20 mins. It was as hilarious and insane and exasperating as you can imagine. The timing clock literally broke. This picture captured the entire saga. He was a 1 of 1 and we will miss him. pic.twitter.com/kna5ylYNS1

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) May 27, 2024

The University of Utah also shared a statement about the “always entertaining and optimistic” Walton.

“What set Bill apart was his desire to not only learn about the basketball teams he was covering but also about the campuses he visited, and then telling those stories during his broadcast,” school leaders said.

Saddened to learn of the passing of the always entertaining & optimistic Bill Walton.

What set Bill apart was his desire to not only learn about the basketball teams he was covering but also about the campuses he visited, and then telling those stories during his broadcast. pic.twitter.com/LRSDGUz3NW

— University of Utah (@UUtah) May 27, 2024

Several posts noted Walton’s deep connection to…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gov-spencer-cox-pac-12-211036340.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-05-27 21:10:36

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