Basketball legend Bill Walton dies at 71 after long battle with cancer

Basketball legend Bill Walton dies at 71 after long battle with cancer originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who was a two-time national champion at UCLA before winning two titles in the NBA, died Monday following a prolonged battle with cancer, the NBA announced. He was 71.

The NBA said Walton was surrounded by his family.

“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.”

A La Mesa, California, native, Walton earned legend status at both the college and pro level. He was named national player of the year in each of his three seasons at UCLA as the Bruins went a combined 86-4. Playing for legendary coach John Wooden, Walton powered the Bruins to consecutive 30-0 seasons in 1972 and 1973.

“It’s very hard to put into words what [Bill Walton] has meant to UCLA’s program, as well as his tremendous impact on college basketball,” UCLA head coach Mick Cronin said in a statement. “Beyond his remarkable accomplishments as a player, it’s his relentless energy, enthusiasm for the game and unwavering candor that have been the hallmarks of his larger than life personality.

“I will miss him very much. It’s hard to imagine a season in Pauley Pavilion without him. Our athletics department, our team and this university will miss him dearly.”

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Walton with the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft. In just his third pro season, Walton led the franchise to its first and only championship as Portland defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1977 Finals. Walton, who was the NBA MVP runner-up that season, earned Finals MVP honors.

Walton was named NBA MVP the following season, where he averaged 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 blocks per game.

Walton’s career was then disrupted by chronic foot injuries. Following his MVP-winning 1977-78 campaign, he played in just 14 games over the next four seasons. He logged four seasons with the Clippers before joining the Boston Celtics for what would be…

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Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-05-27 19:14:09

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