Main figures on the earth of sports activities and politics remembered basketball legend Invoice Walton on Monday after information broke that he had died after a battle with most cancers. He was 71 years outdated.
Walton was chosen No. 1 general by the Portland Path Blazers within the 1974 NBA Draft after ending his school profession beneath legendary coach John Picket at UCLA, the place he helped push the Bruins to a outstanding 88-game successful streak and two nationwide championships. The 6-foot-11 middle gained an NBA championship with the Path Blazers in 1977 and was awarded Finals MVP. 9 years later, Walton gained one other NBA championship with the Boston Celtics.
After retiring from the NBA, Walton grew to become a basketball commentator for a number of networks, beginning with CBS in 1990 earlier than transferring to ABC/ESPN, the place he served as an NBA analyst till leaving briefly in 2009. Walton turned again. Microphones in 2012 as a university basketball analyst for ESPN and the Pac-12 Convention, calling video games by the 2023–2024 season. The American Sportscasters Affiliation named Walton one of many 50 Best Sports activities Broadcasters of All Time in 2009.
Former NBA star Julius Erving, generally referred to as Dr. J. referred to as, stated: “I’m saddened immediately to listen to of the passing of my comrade and probably the most beloved champions and characters on the earth of sports activities. Invoice Walton loved life in each approach. Competing towards and dealing with him was a blessing in my life. The Walton household is sorry on your loss. We’ll miss him too. Doc.”
Magic Johnson posted on X: “Relaxation in peace to a good friend, 2X NBA Champion, Corridor of Famer, and probably the most achieved facilities we have ever seen Invoice Walton! His NCAA Championship efficiency as a UCLA Bruin towards Memphis is without doubt one of the most dominant NCAA Championship performances ever – he went 21 for 22 and left us all mesmerized! That is after I first fell in love together with his basketball recreation.”
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“They discuss Jokic being probably the most expert middle however Invoice Walton was the primary!” Johnson added. “From capturing soar pictures to creating unimaginable passes, he was one of many best basketball gamers of all time. Invoice was an amazing ambassador for faculty basketball and the NBA and might be vastly missed. Cookie and I ship our condolences and prayers to his spouse Lori, kids Luke, Nathan, Chris and Adam and all his family members.”
Former President Barack Obama added: “Invoice Walton was one of many best basketball gamers of all time – a champion at each stage and the epitome of selfless staff play. He was additionally a beautiful soul filled with curiosity, humor and kindness. We’re the poorer for his dying, and Michelle and I prolong our deepest condolences to his household.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated in a press release that Walton is “actually one among a sort.”
“As a Corridor of Fame participant, he redefined the middle place. His distinctive all-around expertise made him a dominant drive at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s fiftieth and seventy fifth anniversary groups,” he stated. “Invoice then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the sport into broadcasting, the place he offered insightful and colourful commentary that entertained generations of basketball followers. However what I’ll bear in mind most about him was his zest for all times. He was an everyday at league occasions – all the time enthusiastic, smiling from ear to ear and desirous to share his information and heat. I treasured our shut friendship, envied his boundless power, and admired the time he took with every individual he encountered.”
