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’s death at age 71 brought an outpouring of grief and joy for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, whose joy for life and basketball was so great that a 2023 ESPN documentary about him was titled “The Luckiest Guy in the World’ got.
There were many official memories of 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 died 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
Everyone covering 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 have left quite a legacy. 💔
— Michele Tafoya (@Michele_Tafoya) May 27, 2024
My favorite Bill Walton experience: When he visited us at The Jump, saw a framed photo we had on set of Bill Russell (his favorite player), he just walked over, grabbed it and took him to house. The whole thing was absolutely delicious. What power; he will be so missed pic.twitter.com/yCwVQNjQbN
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 27, 2024
Devastating news. Bill Walton was one of them. He brought so much joy to everyone who worked with him. I loved every assignment @espn or @westwood1sports when I had the honor of interacting with him on air, during training or during car rides to an event. May his memory be a blessing to all who… pic.twitter.com/Zp5OV6YhmC
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) May 27, 2024
Walton was an easy choice for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame because of his playing career, but a new generation who 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 silly one-liners and silly but sincere antics were also remembered Monday.
Bill Walton sings happy birthday to a beaver at the Portland Zoo for Phil Knight’s birthday and then exclaims, “I love beavers!” pic.twitter.com/OuLLG3j85j
— CJ Fogler’s account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) November 26, 2022
Bill Walton eats peanut butter during a broadcast, tries to rub it on Dave Pasch and then smears it on the camera. He licked it off later.
Truly unique in its kind. RIP to a Pac-12 legend. https://t.co/vx2Kv13p0c
— Cole Topham (@crtopham_) May 27, 2024
To anyone here praising Bill Walton about Oregon State, he’s making the “Beaver Noise” on a crucial game leading up to the tournament pic.twitter.com/zSX1g6XhHo
— NCAA Buzzer Beaters and Game Winners (@NCAABuzzerBters) March 27, 2021
