Hall of Fame basketball player and legendary broadcaster Bill Walton dies at 71 after lengthy battle with prostate cancer

In a press release from the National Basketball Association on Sunday, it was announced that the legendary Bill Walton had passed away over the weekend following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.

Walton played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics during his NBA career. He won a championship with Portland in 1977 and was named the NBA Finals MVP. He won another title with the Boston Celtics in 1986.

The NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1978 played in college at UCLA under the legendary coach John Wooden. Walton won three consecutive College Basketball Player of the Year awards from 1972-74 and led the Bruins to back-to-back national championships and an 88-game winning streak in 1972 and 1973.

Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

After a very successful career on the basketball court, Walton took his talents to the broadcast booth – providing NBA fans with his own unique and often times quirky perception on the game of basketball.

Thread: The Greatest Bill Walton Broadcast Moments

Great Bill Walton broadcast moments

There’s too many to remember so let’s compile them all here and reminisce together

A thread: pic.twitter.com/7pD29GWfMt

— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) May 27, 2024

NBA Releases statement regarding the death of Bill Walton:

“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 at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

“Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans. But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events — always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.”

The following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/fdlty5X3F5

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 27, 2024

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