Bill Walton

Bill Walton

Bill Walton (William Theodore Walton III) was born on November 5th, 1952. Bill passed away May 27th, 2024 at 71 years old. Bill Walton was born in La Mesa, California, USA. Walton attended University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Bill Walton was an American basketball player and a TV sportscaster. He is regarded as one of the best all-around players in the sport's history. After graduating from high school, Walton began his college career at UCLA, leading his team to two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Championships.

Walton was selected as the Most Outstanding Player for two tournaments. He also set an NCAA tournament career record for field goal percentage at 68.6% from 1972 to 1974. Additionally, he set the single-tournament record by shooting 76.3% in 1973. His greatest collegiate achievement was his role in UCLA’s record-breaking winning streak.

He was named the NCAA Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons. The Portland Trail Blazers picked Walton with the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft. He later led the Trail Blazers to their first NBA championship in 1977 and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1977 playoffs. Walton also won the NBA’s MVP award for the 1977-1978 season.

After the 1978-1979 season, Walton was traded to the San Diego Clippers. However, after playing only 14 games in his first year, he took a break from 1980-1982 due to leg problems. He was later traded to the Boston Celtics in 1985, where he stayed healthy and became a key player, helping the team win the NBA title in 1986.

His efforts earned him the NBA’s Sixth Man Award for the 1985-1986 season. Walton played 468 games over more than 10 seasons and ended his career after the 1986-1987 campaign. He was known not only for his basketball skills but also for his honest opinions and social activism. In 1996, he was honored as one of the NBA’s 50 all-time greatest players.

After retirement, Walton began his second career as a sportscaster, working as a color commentator for various teams and networks and as a studio analyst. He earned an Emmy Award in 1991.

In his book, Back from the Dead, Walton details his childhood and the fun experiences he had growing up. He shares his life story with his fans in this outstanding memoir, discussing his passions, interests, family, friendships, and basketball career, highlighting the injuries he sustained. The book is set in the context of his UCLA victories under John Wooden and his NBA career.

Walton shows the sacrifices he made in both his basketball and broadcasting careers. Despite his physical challenges, Walton transitioned to broadcasting, where he won an Emmy Award and other honors, being recognized as one of the best media pundits.

In his book, Creating Your Best Life, Walton narrates his journey from being broke in 1997 to becoming a partner in over 20 businesses. Drawing from his study of great leaders in business and spiritual leadership, he offers practical advice, with the book being thought-provoking and rooted in a strong biblical foundation.

His other book, Nothing But Net, compiles a series of narratives and opinions about life, basketball, and music. The tone is conversational, and Walton shares his thoughts on basketball and its players. He identifies players he believes have potential greatness and explains his reasons. Walton also shares his personal experiences, successes, and failures, offering an honest discussion about the sport. He also discusses his admiration for Coach John Wooden, Larry Bird, and Kevin McHale.

Bill Walton: F.A.Q