- Two-time NBA champion Bill Walton has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.
- He overcame a stutter to become one of the greatest commentators of all time.
NBA Hall of Fame center Bill Walton has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.
Walton, who is survived by his wife Lori and sons Adam, Nate, Luke and Chris, was a two-time NBA champion, winning one title with the Portland Trail Blazers and another with the Boston Celtics.
He is also one of the greatest college basketball players of all time, winning three consecutive national college player of the year awards from 1972 to 1974 and two NCAA titles with the UCLA Bruins.
Walton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft and won his first NBA championship with the Trail Blazers three years later.
After struggling with injury problems, Walton’s career took off again when he signed with the Celtics in 1985 for two seasons. Along with Larry Bird, Walton won his second NBA championship in 1986.
NBA Hall of Fame center Bill Walton has died at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.
Walton was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers and won his first NBA championship at Oregon.
Walton (far right) with Celtics teammates Danny Ainge, Rick Carlisle and Larry Bird in 1986
Walton (left) overcame a stutter to thrive in front of the microphone and won a Sports Emmy in 1991.
He was the NBA MVP in the 1977-78 season and a member of the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
After retiring from basketball, Walton became a sportscaster for several networks and teams.
Walton overcame his stutter to thrive in front of the microphone, winning an Emmy in 1991 and being named one of the 50 Greatest Sportscasters of All Time in 2009.
“Bill Walton,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver, “was truly one of a kind.”
More to follow.