The NBA announced the passing of Bill Walton, the legendary player who thrilled fans for decades on the court and in the commentator's chair.
The league announced the tragic news in a press release on Monday morning, stating that Bill had died following a protracted fight with cancer. When he died, his family was there to comfort him.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praises Bill for his cheerful, positive demeanor at league events. Still, he recalls Bill as a colorful character off the court and a dominant force on it.
Before being selected with the first overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers in the 1974 NBA Draft, Walton attended UCLA for his college career from 1971 to 1974.
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Before playing for the Clippers and the Celtics, Bill spent the first four seasons of his career in Portland, where he won the first of his two NBA titles and the NBA MVP award. He had to miss a lot of time due to injuries, which altered the course of his playing career.
Bill Walton's journey in the NBA extended beyond the court. After his playing career, he transitioned into a beloved commentator, first for ESPN in the early 2000s and later for college basketball in 2012. This shift allowed him to continue his passion for the sport and share his insights with a new generation of fans.
Bill is survived by his wife Lori and his four sons, Adam, Nathan, Chris, and Luke. Luke played in the NBA and later became a coach, following in his father's footsteps.
Bill always made time to chat with us about his friends and his passions, even in 2016 when he gushed about the amazing singer John Mayer.
Bill was seventy-one at the time of his death.
RIP Bill.
