Bill Walton 1952-2024

Bill Walton has passed away at the age of 71. Walton played college basketball at UCLA under the direction of head coach John Wooden. He would win two NCAA national championships in 1972 and 1973 while maintaining an 88-game winning streak. In addition, Walton would win three consecutive national college player of the year awards in 1972, 1973 and 1974. He was the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft being selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. In 1977, Walton helped the Portland Trail Blazers win an NBA championship and would be named Finals MVP. In 1978, he would be named league MVP. He would later play for the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics. During his time with the Celtics, he was a member of the 1986 NBA Championship team alongside Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge and the late Dennis Johnson. In that same season, Walton would win the Sixth Man of the Year award. Walton's career was hampered by foot injuries requiring him to have numerous surgeries. After retiring from the NBA, Walton overcame a stuttering problem and embarked on a successful career as a sportscaster working for CBS, NBC, Los Angeles Clippers, Walt Disney Company (ABC/ESPN), Sacramento Kings and PAC-12 Network. In 2001, he won an Emmy award for Best Live Sports Television Broadcast. In 2018, he won the College Sports Information Directors of America Dick Enberg award. Walton was known being a "Deadhead," a name given to describe die-hard fans of the Grateful Dead. Honoring his love for the Grateful Dead, he hosted his own satellite radio show heard on Sirius Radio's Jam On and XM Radio's Grateful Dead channel. He is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and was named to the NBA 50th and 75th anniversary teams.Walton is survived by his wife Lori, first wife Suzie and four sons (Adam, Nathan, Luke and Chris). Bill Walton was 71.