Bill Walton brought joy to seemingly everyone who crossed his path. That was evident in the way his life was celebrated on Monday after his death was announced by the NBA.
Walton died on Monday after a long battle with cancer in recent years. He was 71.
The announcement brought forth an outpouring of sorrow, but also joy for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer whose glee for life and basketball was so great that a 2023 ESPN documentary on him was titled “The Luckiest Guy in the World.”
There were many official remembrances from his career as one of the greatest college basketball players ever at UCLA, and his professional career that, while limited by injuries, included an NBA MVP award and two championships.
Bill Walton has 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 InducteeA legend of the game forever. pic.twitter.com/t8Bk16dpdx
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton was one of the most consequential players of his era. A Hall of Famer, Most Valuable Player, and two-time NBA Champion, Walton could do it all, possessing great timing, complete vision of the floor, excellent fundamentals, and was of one of the greatest passing big… pic.twitter.com/AW1PIUxALk
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 27, 2024
We have lost one of the greatest players and personalities that this franchise, this sport and this region have ever known. Bill Walton is synonymous with Southern California basketball: a San Diego native, a UCLA phenom, a Clipper icon.
He defined the game as a player, a… pic.twitter.com/KAXvnG8Mkk
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) May 27, 2024
Barack Obama, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, others honor Bill Walton
Plenty of other big names, both in and out of the sports world, took time to honor Walton on Monday, including former President Barack Obama.
Bill Walton was one of the greatest basketball players of all time – a champion at every level and the embodiment of unselfish team play. He was also a wonderful spirit full of curiosity, humor and kindness. We are poorer for his passing, and Michelle and I send our deepest…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 27, 2024
I am sad today hearing that my comrade & one of the sports worlds most beloved champions & characters has passed. Bill Walton enjoyed life in every way. To compete against him & to work with him was a blessing in my life. Sorry for your loss Walton family. We’ll miss him too. Doc pic.twitter.com/GAEt1DRH8N
— Julius Dr J Erving (@JuliusErving) May 27, 2024
Rest in peace to a friend, 2X NBA Champion, Hall of Famer, and one of the most skilled centers we’ve ever seen Bill Walton! His NCAA Championship performance as a UCLA Bruin against Memphis is by far the most dominate NCAA Championship performance ever – he shot 21 for 22 and had…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 27, 2024
Larry Bird has issued a statement about the passing of his teammate on the 1986 champion Celtics, and longtime friend, Bill Walton: pic.twitter.com/xF2T7zs9Cj
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) 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’ve left quite a legacy. 💔
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) May 27, 2024
My favorite Bill Walton experience: when he came to visit us at The Jump, saw a framed photo we had on set of Bill Russell (his favorite player), and simply walked over, grabbed it – and took it home. The whole thing was absolutely delightful. What a force; he will be so missed pic.twitter.com/yCwVQNjQbN
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 27, 2024
Devastating news. Bill Walton was one of one. He brought such joy to all who worked with him. Loved any assignment @espn or @westwood1sports when I had the honor to interact with him on air, at practice or during the car rides to an event. May his memory be a blessing to all who… pic.twitter.com/Zp5OV6YhmC
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) May 27, 2024
Jo and I are shaken to our roots over the passing of dear friend Bill Walton. I never knew a better, more generous man. Our thoughts are with Lori and the Walton sons. RIP Bill. pic.twitter.com/GE0hVtvtFQ
— Ralph Lawler (@Ohmeomy) May 27, 2024
The address of the house is grew up in. Couldn’t imagine why he wanted it but a couple of weeks later he sent me a photo of him standing in front of the house with a jar of dirt from the yard. Said he was going to mix it with the dirt at his house in San Diego. I’ve rarely been… pic.twitter.com/LrGS83TOta
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) May 27, 2024
.@JayBilas remembers Bill Walton ❤️
“He may have been the greatest college basketball player of all time. He was an all-time great pro as well. … But more than that … He was an absolutely magnificent, beautiful person that you just loved to be around at all times.” pic.twitter.com/oolIQZxrbu
— ESPN (@espn) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players ever then persevered through inconceivable injuries to be a definitive pro and that wasn’t even the half of it.
We lovingly refer to our most unique as American Originals but with Walton that doesn’t quite get to… pic.twitter.com/5cvJM0hlrI
— Tony Reali (@TonyReali) May 27, 2024
Walton was an easy choice for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his career as a player, but a new generation that might not have seen him play was introduced to him as one of the more unique announcers ever. Walton never took himself too seriously, and his weird one-liners and goofy yet genuine antics were remembered on Monday as well.
Bill Walton sings happy birthday to a beaver at the Portland Zoo for Phil Knight’s birthday, then declares “I love beavers!” pic.twitter.com/OuLLG3j85j
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) November 26, 2022
To everybody praising Bill Walton about Oregon State here he is making the “Beaver Noise” on a pivotal game in their run to the tournament pic.twitter.com/zSX1g6XhHo
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters & Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 27, 2021
