Early Life and Family Background
William Theodore Walton III, (Bill Walton) born on November 5, 1952, in La Mesa, California, was the son of Gloria Anne (née Hickey) and William Theodore “Ted” Walton, Jr. His father was a music teacher and social worker, while his mother worked as a librarian. Walton was raised alongside his siblings Bruce, Cathy, and Andy in a home that fostered a deep appreciation for art, literature, politics, and music. Despite his family’s lack of interest in sports,Bill Walton gravitated towards basketball, inspired by his older brother Bruce, who excelled in sports.
High School Career
Walton attended Helix High School, where he played basketball with his brother Bruce. Bruce, a standout football player, protected Bill on the basketball court. Walton’s high school years were marked by numerous injuries, including broken bones and knee surgery. Despite these setbacks,Bill Walton led Helix to a 49-game winning streak and back-to-back California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championships. His performance in his senior year, including a national record for field goal accuracy and impressive rebounding statistics, brought him national attention.
College Career at UCLA
Freshman Year (1970–1971)
Walton enrolled at UCLA, where he played for legendary coach John Wooden. As a freshman, Bill Waltonaveraged 18.1 points per game and played a pivotal role on the undefeated freshman team.
Sophomore Year (1971–1972)
In his sophomore year, Bill Walton led the Bruins to a perfect 30-0 season and an NCAA Championship. His dominant performance included a standout game against Florida State in the finals, earning him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player award.
Junior Year (1972–1973)
Walton continued his dominance in his junior year, leading UCLA to another 30-0 season and another NCAA title. His performance in the championship game against Memphis State, where he scored 44 points on 21 of 22 shooting, remains one of the greatest in NCAA history. Bill Walton was again named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Senior Year (1973–1974)
Walton’s senior year was marked by continued excellence, although the Bruins’ 88-game winning streak ended. Despite this, Bill Walton secured his third consecutive national college player of the year award, a testament to his consistent dominance.
Professional Career
Portland Trail Blazers
Walton was the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft, joining the Portland Trail Blazers. He led the team to an NBA Championship in 1977 and was named Finals MVP. Bill Walton was also the league’s MVP in 1978, despite his career being plagued by injuries.
San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers
Walton’s injuries continued to hamper his career during his time with the Clippers. He played only four seasons with the team, with injuries significantly limiting his time on the court.
Boston Celtics
Walton’s career saw a resurgence with the Boston Celtics, where he played as a backup center. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in the 1985-86 season and helped the Celtics secure another NBA Championship.
Post-Retirement Career
After retiring from professional basketball, Walton overcame a stuttering problem and transitioned into a successful career as a sportscaster. He worked as a studio analyst and color commentator for various networks, earning an Emmy Award in 1991. Bill Walton was also known for his love of the Grateful Dead, often mentioning the band in his broadcasts and hosting related podcasts and radio programs.
Legacy and Honors
Walton’s contributions to basketball have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. He was also named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Personal Reflections
Walton often reflected on the influence of his coach, John Wooden, who remained a lifelong mentor. Despite their different views on issues like the Vietnam War, Bill Walton held Wooden in the highest regard, crediting him for much of his personal and professional success.
Walton’s life and career were characterized by resilience, excellence, and a deep love for basketball. His legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport remains enduring.
Senior Season (1973–1974)
Walton’s Challenging Senior Year
In the 1973-74 season, Bill Walton’s senior year at UCLA saw the end of the team’s remarkable 88-game winning streak. The streak was broken by Notre Dame on January 19, 1974, with a narrow 71–70 loss. Walton played despite a serious back injury, sustained in a fall during a game against Washington State the week prior. The injury, which involved two broken bones in his spine, was so severe that it required corrective surgery many years later, in 2009. Due to this injury, Walton missed three games but still managed to score 24 points and secure nine rebounds in the game against Notre Dame. The Bruins had a significant lead but were ultimately outscored in the final minutes, resulting in the loss. Walton described his performance that day as a “complete failure.”
Recovery and Further Challenges
The Bruins rebounded a week later, defeating Notre Dame at home with a score of 94–75. However, later in the season, they suffered consecutive losses to Oregon and Oregon State, a period Walton referred to as “the Lost Weekend,” citing team chemistry issues and injuries as contributing factors.
UCLA finished the season with a 26–4 record, and 12–2 in the Pac-8 Conference, with Walton playing alongside notable teammates like Keith Wilkes, David Myers, and Marques Johnson.
1974 NCAA Tournament
Early Rounds
In the 1974 NCAA tournament, UCLA defeated Dayton 111–100, with Walton contributing 27 points and 19 rebounds. They then overcame San Francisco 83–60 in the Western Regional Final, with Walton scoring 17 points and securing nine rebounds.
Final Four and Semi-Final Defeat
UCLA’s bid for an eighth consecutive national title ended in the Final Four, where they were defeated by North Carolina State in a double-overtime thriller. Despite Walton’s impressive performance, scoring 29 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, UCLA lost 80–77. Walton described this game as the most disappointing of his career, as they had leads in both regulation and the second overtime but failed to maintain them.
The Consolation Game
Following their semi-final loss, UCLA played in the third-place game against Kansas, winning 78–61. Walton, who was reluctant to play, only took three shots in his final game for UCLA.
College Career Overview
Walton finished his college career with impressive stats, averaging 20.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game over 87 games, with a shooting percentage of 65.1%. UCLA had a record of 86–4 during his three seasons. Walton received numerous accolades, including the James E. Sullivan Award and multiple College Player of the Year awards.
Professional Career
Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1979)
Early Struggles and Injuries
Walton was the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft, selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. His initial seasons were plagued by injuries, including a series of foot issues and other injuries. In his rookie season, Walton averaged a double-double but only played 35 games.
Breakthrough and Championship
In the 1976–77 season, under coach Jack Ramsay and alongside Maurice Lucas, Walton led the Blazers to an NBA championship. Walton excelled in the playoffs, particularly in the finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, earning the Finals MVP award.
MVP Season and Controversy
Walton was named the NBA MVP for the 1977–78 season but suffered a broken foot, limiting his play. He missed the entire 1979 season due to a dispute with the Blazers over their handling of his injuries, eventually signing with the San Diego Clippers as a free agent.
San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers (1979–1985)
Persistent Injuries and Limited Play
Walton’s tenure with the Clippers was marked by frequent injuries, limiting his play significantly. He underwent multiple surgeries and missed several seasons but continued to strive for recovery and performance.
Struggles and Reflections
Walton’s time with the Clippers was disappointing, as the team never achieved significant success. Bill Walton expressed deep regret over his inability to succeed with his hometown team, calling it his greatest professional failure.
Boston Celtics (1985–1987)
Joining the Celtics and Revival
In 1985, Bill Walton joined the Boston Celtics, who traded Cedric Maxwell and a draft pick to the Clippers for him. Walton’s arrival was welcomed, and he quickly became an integral part of the team, backing up Robert Parish and Kevin McHale.
Sixth Man Award and Championship
Walton played a pivotal role in the Celtics’ 1986 NBA championship run, earning the Sixth Man of the Year award. He provided solid support throughout the playoffs, helping the Celtics secure the title.
Final Season and Retirement
Walton’s final playing year was again marred by injuries, limiting his appearances. He attempted a comeback in 1990 but ultimately retired due to persistent injuries.
Career Legacy
Walton’s career, though severely impacted by injuries, included significant achievements such as NBA championships, MVP awards, and a lasting impact on the teams he played for. His college career remains legendary, and his professional journey, despite its challenges, is marked by moments of brilliance and resilience.
National Team Career
At the young age of 17, fresh out of high school, Bill Walton was chosen to represent the U.S. national basketball team at the 1970 FIBA World Championship. Coached by Hal Fisher, the team fell short of winning a medal, finishing fifth. As the youngest player both on the team and in the tournament, Walton had limited playtime, appearing in five games and averaging 2.6 points.
1972 Olympics
Selected for the 1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team, Bill Walton chose not to participate. While some speculated that his decision was a political statement against the Vietnam War, it was more likely due to his negative experience at the 1970 World Championships. In a 2004 interview with ESPN, Walton recalled the harsh coaching and negative environment that contributed to his decision. The U.S. team controversially lost the final to the Soviet Union 51–50, a result that many believed could have been different if Walton had played. Russian sports historian Robert Edelman noted that the absence of Walton gave the Soviet team hope, and U.S. team’s forward James Forbes stated that Walton’s presence would have changed the outcome.
Legacy
In 2010, coach Jack Ramsay described Walton as the best Portland Trail Blazer, highlighting his exceptional skills and team spirit. Despite Walton’s injuries, which frustrated both him and Ramsay, Ramsay admired Walton’s dedication to the game. Walton’s return to Portland in 2009 was marked by a heartfelt apology for his past mistakes and a desire to make amends.
Reflecting on his career, Walton expressed his deep love for basketball and his struggle with numerous injuries, having undergone 38 orthopedic operations. He acknowledged the physical toll of his career but also considered himself fortunate to have reached a state of health eventually.
Over his NBA career, Walton played 468 games, averaging a double-double with 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Despite his injuries, he maintained a 52.1% shooting percentage from the floor. His career was limited by injuries, playing only 44% of the regular season games in his 13-year career. Walton’s height was listed as 6 ft 11 in, though it was reported he was taller but preferred not to be labeled as a seven-footer. In 2021, Walton was named the 64th greatest NBA player of all time by The Athletic.
Media Career
Walton overcame a stuttering problem at 28 with the help of broadcaster Marty Glickman. He spoke about the difficulties of his speech issues and how learning to speak became his greatest achievement. Walton transitioned to a career as a basketball color commentator after retiring from playing. He worked for CBS, NBC, the Los Angeles Clippers, and ABC/ESPN. Due to back problems, Walton left ESPN in 2009 but returned to broadcasting part-time for the Sacramento Kings and later full-time for Pac-12 conference basketball coverage.
Walton was known for his distinctive commentary style, often using catchphrases and hyperbole. He hosted his own TV series and a satellite radio show. Walton won an Emmy Award in 2001 for “Best Live Sports Television Broadcast” and the CoSIDA Dick Enberg Award in 2018.
Personal Life and Death
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Walton lived in San Diego with his wife Lori Matsuoka, having married her in 1991. He had four sons with his first wife, Susie, whom he married in 1979 and divorced in 1989. His son Luke Walton followed in his footsteps, becoming an NBA player and coach. Walton’s other sons also pursued careers in basketball and other fields.
Walton faced severe ankle problems, leading to surgeries to fuse both ankles. He underwent major spinal surgery in 2009, which involved extensive rehabilitation. Walton was candid about his struggles with pain and the use of painkillers.
Known for his vegetarian lifestyle and meditation practice, Walton maintained a close friendship with Coach John Wooden. Despite their differences in political beliefs, Wooden was a significant influence in Walton’s life. Walton’s political activism was well-known, including his participation in anti-Vietnam War protests and his friendship with Abbie Hoffman.
A devoted fan of the Grateful Dead and other musicians, Walton attended numerous concerts and was known in the Deadhead community. He was inducted into The Grateful Dead Hall of Honor in 2001 and contributed to their live album liner notes.
Walton’s memoir, “Back from the Dead: Searching for the Sound, Shining the Light and Throwing It Down,” was published in 2016, making the New York Times bestseller list. He wrote the foreword to a book about wounded warriors and their dogs.
Bill Walton passed away from cancer at his home in San Diego on May 27, 2024, at the age of 71.