The college basketball world lost a legend this year when former National Player of the Year, NBA MVP, and longtime broadcaster Bill Walton passed away on May 27 at 71.
The UCLA Bruins announced this week that they would honor Walton before February 23’s game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. There will be tributes to the UCLA standout throughout the game, and all UCLA students who attend the game will get a custom tye-dye shirt to pay tribute to Walton’s eccentric fashion sense.
“It’s a difficult reality to know we’re getting ready to start a basketball season in Westwood without Bill’s presence. He will forever be an icon in our great game, and his memory will forever live on at UCLA. For our program, especially over the past 12 seasons, he’s been a fixture while working as a broadcaster. On gamedays, he routinely chatted with our players, he shared advice with me, and he meant so much to everyone around our program. We want to honor Bill this season, and we’re grateful to have the support of his family. After conversations with his former teammates and with the blessing of his family, we wanted to select a game when we’re at home on the weekend, playing before a national television audience,” UCLA head coach Mick Cronin said.
Walton’s career at UCLA started in 1970 under legendary head coach John Wooden. He had one of the most dominant runs in the history of college basketball. The big man won three National Player of the Year awards and two NCAA Championships. He was named the Final Four’s most outstanding player in both of the Championship wins.
While injuries largely derailed Walton’s NBA career. However, he still won back-to-back NBA Championships with the Portland Trail Blazers, being named Finals MVP in 1977 and NBA MVP in 1978. The Blazers, like UCLA, retired Walton’s No. 32, and he was named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Walton’s playing career came to a close in 1988 and he joined CBS as a color commentator in 1991. In the time after, he worked for NBC and ESPN. He is perhaps most remembered for his last ESPN run where he teamed with announcer Dave Pasch. The duo’s chemistry, camaraderie, and comedy made even the least appealing matchup at least slightly better and more entertaining.
