Bill Walton brought joy to everyone who crossed his path. That was evident in the way he celebrated his life on Monday after the NBA announced his death.
Walton’s death at age 71 brought great sadness and yet joy to Basketball Hall of Famer Naismith, whose joy for life and basketball was so great that a 2023 ESPN documentary about he titled himself “The Luckiest Guy in the World.”
There were many official memories of his career as one of the greatest college basketball players in UCLA history, and of his professional career, which while limited by injuries, included an NBA Most Valuable Player award and two championships.
Bill Walton passed away at the age of 71.
2x NCAA champion
2x NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player
3x National College Player of the Year
3x First Team All American
1993 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame MemberA legend of the game forever. pic.twitter.com/t8Bk16dpdx
– NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 27, 2024
Everyone who covered basketball seemed to have a touching or funny story about a friendly interaction with Walton.
RIP Bill Walton. There were so many layers to you! I’ll never forget the time you insisted on walking me from the car to the front door of the hotel after one of our games together. You have left a great legacy.
-Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) May 27, 2024
My favorite Bill Walton experience: When he came to visit us at The Jump, he saw a framed photo we had on the set of Bill Russell (his favorite player), and he just walked up, grabbed it, and took it home. Everything was absolutely lovely. What strength! we will miss him very much pic.twitter.com/yCwVQNjQbN
—Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 27, 2024
Devastating news. Bill Walton was one of them. He brought so much joy to everyone who worked with him. I loved any task @espn either @westwood1sports when I had the honor of interacting with him on the air, at practice, or during car rides to an event. May his memory be a blessing to all who… pic.twitter.com/Zp5OV6YhmC
—Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) May 27, 2024
Walton was an easy pick for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his playing career, but a new generation that may not have seen him play knew him as one of the most unique broadcasters of all time. Walton never took himself too seriously, and on Monday you were also reminded of his odd one-liners and his silly but genuine antics.
Bill Walton sings happy birthday to a beaver at the Portland Zoo for Phil Knight’s birthday and then declares “I love beavers!” pic.twitter.com/OuLLG3j85j
— CJ Fogler’s account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) November 26, 2022
Bill Walton eating peanut butter during a broadcast, trying to spread it on Dave Pasch, and then spreading it across the camera. He licked it later.
Truly unique. RIP to a Pac-12 legend. https://t.co/vx2Kv13p0c
– Cole Topham (@crtopham_) May 27, 2024
For everyone praising Bill Walton for Oregon State, here he is making “Beaver Noise” in a pivotal game in their run to the tournament. pic.twitter.com/zSX1g6XhHo
— NCAA Game Winners and Buzzer Beaters (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 27, 2021
