NBA Legend Bill Walton Dies at 71: Celebrating the Life and Glorious Legacy

On behalf of his family, the NBA (National Basketball Association) confirmed that Bill Walton, who played a major role in basketball broadcasting and was a standout player for John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins, passed away on Monday. Walton, who fought cancer for a long time, was 71 years old.

As a player, he won two championships and was a member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams. In 1977–1978 he was named the NBA’s MVP. All of that came after a collegiate career in which he won three national player of the year awards and two championships at UCLA.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated, “Bill Walton was truly one of a kind.”

Walton was a legendary player both on and off the court. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993. His NBA career only lasted 468 games with Portland, the San Diego Padres, and finally the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston due to persistent foot issues. In those games, he averaged 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds, neither of which was particularly high. Still, he had a huge influence on the game.

His most well-known performance came in the 1973 NCAA championship game between UCLA and Memphis, as he shot an amazing 21 for 22 from the field to help the Bruins win another national championship.

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During a 35th anniversary retrospective of that game, Wooden told The Associated Press in 2008, “One of my guards said, ‘Let’s try something else.” In that little intermission, Wooden responded, “Why? Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.

Walton continued to put on a show for the ages as they continued to pass him the ball.

UCLA coach Mick Cronin stated on Monday, “It’s very hard to put into words what he has meant to UCLA’s program, as well as his tremendous impact on college basketball.” “His larger-than-life demeanor has been characterized by his unrelenting candor, persistent energy, and excitement for the game, in addition to his outstanding successes as a player.

He was a devoted UCLA alumnus and broadcaster who enjoyed spending time with our athletes, learning about their lives, and offering guidance and insight. He was nice, honest, and always had the correct intentions, in my opinion as a coach. He will be sorely missed. It’s difficult to envision Pauley Pavilion throughout a season without him.