On Monday afternoon legendary basketball player and commentator Bill Walton died at 71 years old after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Walton wore a number of hats across a lengthy career in the sports world. He first rose to acclaim as a key piece in John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins dynasty, winning two national championships. Walton helped the Bruins amass 88 consecutive wins — a men’s college basketball record — across his sophomore, junior and senior seasons in Westwood.
Selected with the the top pick in the 1974 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Walton’s success would translate to the professional ranks. He’d win a pair of titles — with the Trail Blazers in 1977 and Boston Celtics in 1986 — as part of a Hall of Fame career. Walton was the league’s MVP in 1977-78 and Sixth Man of the Year in 1985-86.
Following his retirement, Walton would make the transition to the broadcast booth, calling NBA games as a lead analyst for ESPN and ABC. He transitioned to college basketball in 2012. As a broadcaster, he quickly rose to acclaim for his lighthearted storytelling and passionate advocacy for the “conference of champions” — the Pac-12.
The sports world paid tribute to Walton on social media.
Current and former athletes
Rest in peace to a friend, 2X NBA Champion, Hall of Famer, and one of the most skilled centers we’ve ever seen Bill Walton! His NCAA Championship performance as a UCLA Bruin against Memphis is by far the most dominate NCAA Championship performance ever – he shot 21 for 22 and had…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 27, 2024
I am sad today hearing that my comrade & one of the sports worlds most beloved champions & characters has passed. Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. To compete against him & to work with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We’ll miss him too. Doc pic.twitter.com/GAEt1DRH8N
— Julius Dr J Erving (@JuliusErving) May 27, 2024
Legend! RIP 🙏 https://t.co/Y9v6a488eT
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) May 27, 2024
RIP Bill Walton💔
No one loved basketball or living life to its fullest more than Bill. Not only has the sport lost a giant; the whole world has as well. pic.twitter.com/VgQCzjd5hs— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) May 27, 2024
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 prayers Walton Family. Great energy, and always positive. Rest In Paradise Bill Walton
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 27, 2024
We will miss Bill..
Pull up his prime highlights.
Would’ve totally played well in any era.
Sneaker technology kept him from showing everything. But his prime run was up there with best. pic.twitter.com/1K19gZwcgc— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) May 27, 2024
R.I.P. Bill Walton. Way too soon! We did so many events together over the last 20 years and he was always positive and fun to be around. My heart goes out to Lori and his whole family. 🙏🏼
— Detlef Schrempf (@Dschrempf) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton…😥😰😢😔🏀…I loved that guy…
— Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) May 27, 2024
Pac-12 schools
A true Bruin legend that will forever be missed. We send our condolences to the Walton family. 💙🕊️💛 https://t.co/O8lhNmKOwL
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) May 27, 2024
Fight On Forever… https://t.co/K22tsxg5DI pic.twitter.com/QRwiwabRm4
— USC Men’s Basketball (@USC_Hoops) May 27, 2024
RIP to a true legend and one of a kind personality, Bill Walton.
We know Bill’s legacy will continue to Shine On! pic.twitter.com/CQsROEET1D
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) May 27, 2024
A singular icon of the game & an ambassador for Cal, the @Pac12 & all of basketball. Our hearts are with the family & friends of Bill Walton. pic.twitter.com/yTS49xRVjQ
— Cal Basketball (@CalMBBall) May 27, 2024
The Beaver Family mourns the loss of the Legendary Bill Walton. Truly one of a kind, Bill will be greatly missed. 🧡🖤 pic.twitter.com/7tsZI8yXs2
— Oregon State Hoops (@BeaverMBB) May 27, 2024
Thank you for your passion, wisdom, humor and love you showed to the game and all around you. You will be forever missed, Bill. ❤️
Our hearts go out to the Walton family. pic.twitter.com/c2hYYakupw
— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) May 27, 2024
No, Bill. Thank you for your life. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3LCRvs4XlJ
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) May 27, 2024
Former NBA teams
Rip City icon & basketball legend.
Rest in Peace, Bill 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/czZ4IiX6m2
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 27, 2024
We have lost one of the greatest players and personalities that this franchise, this sport and this region have ever known. Bill Walton is synonymous with Southern California basketball: a San Diego native, a UCLA phenom, a Clipper icon.
He defined the game as a player, a… pic.twitter.com/KAXvnG8Mkk
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton was one of the most consequential players of his era. A Hall of Famer, Most Valuable Player, and two-time NBA Champion, Walton could do it all, possessing great timing, complete vision of the floor, excellent fundamentals, and was of one of the greatest passing big… pic.twitter.com/AW1PIUxALk
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 27, 2024