Bill Walton dead at 71: Three-time Player of the Year was part of historic run at UCLA under John Wooden

Former UCLA star Bill Walton, who blossomed at UCLA in the early 1970s under legendary coach John Wooden, died at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer, the NBA announced Monday. Walton, a three-time Naismith Award winner and a two-time national champion, is considered one of the greatest college basketball players ever. 

After a historic college career at UCLA, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Walton with the No. 1 pick in the 1974 NBA Draft. Walton became a two-time NBA champion (1977 and 1986) and won NBA MVP in 1978. He retired from the NBA after the conclusion of the 1987-88 season.

Walton became a fixture on college basketball broadcasts after his playing career ended by serving as a color commentator at CBS, NBC and ABC/ESPN. While Walton was known for witty humor on Pac-12 basketball broadcasts, he helped call NBA games for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Sacramento Kings.

Walton’s individual accolades at UCLA

Walton is one of the most accomplished college basketball players ever. Walton helped UCLA capture national championships in 1972 and 1973. Walton was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in both tournaments. In the 1973 title game against Memphis State, Walton scored 44 points on 21 of 22 shooting to give the Bruins their seventh consecutive national title. His 44 points in the title game remain an NCAA record.

“We couldn’t contain Walton,” Memphis State coach Gene Bartow told the New York Times after the game. “I’ve never seen a player so dominating as Walton.”

Walton played at UCLA before freshman student-athletes could compete on the varsity team. Walton played on UCLA’s freshman team during the 1970-71 season before becoming a three-year starter for Wooden. Walton averaged 20.3 points and 15.7 rebounds during his career on the varsity squad. 

Walton would later be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and College Basketball Hall of…

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Author : Cameron Salerno

Publish date : 2024-05-28 18:48:40

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