NBA and Celtics legend Bill Walton has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer.
"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind," Adam Silver, the NBA commissioner, said. "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.”
"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,” Silver added, per ESPN.
Walton led the UCLA Bruins to two national championships before playing in the NBA and earning two championships in his career. He became a Hall of Famer in the world of basketball.
He was the first overall draft pick in 1974 at 6 foot 11 inches. He went on to help win the championship for the Blazers in 1977 and then the Celtics in 1986. He played 10 seasons total in the NBA and was a two-time All-Star. He led the NBA in rebounds and blocks in 1977.
After his basketball career, Walton joined ESPN as well as ABC as an analyst in 2002 for games in the national league before working college basketball games in 2012. He was named one of the top 50 sportscasters of all time in 2009 by the American Sportscasters Association.
Walton died surrounded by his family on Monday.
"As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him," Silver added in his statement.
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