Bill Walton, the gregarious NBA star who became an ESPN commentator and was well known as a dedicated fan of the Grateful Dead, has died, the NBA confirmed Monday. He was 71.
Walton played for four NBA teams and won two championships during his more than decade-long run the league, which ended in 1987. He was a college star at UCLA and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1993.
“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. 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,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “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.”
Walton joined ESPN’s roster of commentators in 2002, covering NBA and college basketball games.
In 2023, Walton’s life and career was celebrated with the documentary “The Luckiest Guy in the World.”
More to come
Source Agencies
