Kerr, Curry pay tribute to basketball icon Bill Walton, who died at 71

Kerr, Curry pay tribute to basketball icon Bill Walton, who died at 71 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.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who was a friend of Walton’s, released a statement a few hours after the news was made public.

“Bill Walton was a legendary player, a hilarious, colorful broadcaster and most of all a wonderful person,” Kerr wrote. “I fell in love with basketball watching Bill dominate at UCLA in front of packed crowds at Pauley Pavilion, and I was blessed to get to know him later in our lives when he covered the NBA as an analyst on TV.

“Most of all, I will cherish getting to know him when he would visit the Warriors when his son, Luke, was on our coaching staff. His incredible energy, passion, love and zest for life was never turned off. Our hearts are broken today as we mourn Bill’s passing and grieve with his family.”

Steph Curry also paid tribute to Walton with a post on his Instagram story/

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…

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Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-05-27 21:42:13

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