Legendary NBA player and commentator Bill Walton passed away on Monday at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer.
Walton entered the Hall of Fame in 1993 and was one of the most beloved players in the game.
His NBA career was plagued with foot injuries, so he played 468 games with Portland, San Diego, LA Clippers and Boston.
Walton was the NBA's MVP in the 1977–78 season, was the league's sixth man of the year in 1985–86, and was a member of the 50th anniversary and 75th anniversary teams.
He won two NBA championships, one with the Trail Blazers in 1977 and one with the Celtics in 1986.
Before his NBA career, he was coached by John Wooden at UCLA and won two national titles.
Walton helped the Bruins to 88 consecutive wins – a men's college basketball record.
After retiring, Walton began calling NBA games as a lead analyst ESPN again ABC and switched to college basketball in 2012.
The NBA world is reacting to his passing.
I am saddened today to hear that my partner & one of the world's most loved actors and actresses has passed away. Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. Competing against him & working with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We will miss him too. Doctor pic.twitter.com/GAEt1DRH8N
— Julius Dr J Erving (@JuliusErving) May 27, 2024
“I am saddened today to hear that my partner and one of the most loved champions and actors in the world has passed,” Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who is also a Hall of Famer, wrote on social media.
“Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. Competing with him and working with him was a blessing in my life.”
Rest in peace Bill Walton 🤍
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) May 27, 2024
Rest In Peace To LEGEND BILL WALTON🙏🏾
-Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) May 27, 2024
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 prayers Walton Family. Great power, and always ready. Rest In Paradise Bill Walton
– Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) May 27, 2024
Rest in peace to friend, 2X NBA Champion, Hall of Famer, and one of the most talented centers we have ever seen Bill Walton! His NCAA Championship performance as a UCLA Bruin against Memphis was the most NCAA Championship game ever – he shot 21 of 22 and was…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 27, 2024
Rick Carlisle on the passing of Bill Walton and the wonderful story of how he helped him on his first date with his now wife. pic.twitter.com/iCw5yQ1fBw
— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) May 27, 2024
Today I had to say goodbye
a great friend that I will always miss….@UCLAAthletics @UCLAMB @NBA pic.twitter.com/JIA3sORJgY— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) May 27, 2024
Even the former President of the United States Mr. Barack Obama honored the man who touched many sports fans.
Bill Walton was one of the greatest basketball players of all time, a champion at every level and the epitome of unselfish teamwork. She was a beautiful spirit and full of curiosity, humor and kindness. We are deeply saddened by his passing, and Michelle and I send our deepest…
– Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 27, 2024
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