Remembering Bill Walton: A Photo Essay Of Walton’s Career
By CM Chaney ·
May 28, 2024
Bill Walton, a Basketball Hall of Famer and one of the game's most celebrated figures, passed away at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.
This photo essay celebrates the life and career of a man who was never afraid to be himself, both on and off the court. From his time as a two-time NCAA champion at UCLA under coach John Wooden to his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics, Walton's impact on the game was immeasurable.
Though his playing career was cut short by chronic foot injuries, he found success as a broadcaster, winning an Emmy and being named one of the top 50 sports broadcasters of all time.
Walton's larger-than-life personality and deep passion for the causes that mattered most to him made him a truly unique figure in the world of basketball and beyond. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date & location, USA: FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center (32) Bill Walton in action. Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1973; Unknown location, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center (32) Bill Walton in action against Notre Dame. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center Bill Walton (32) shoots a jump shot against the Indiana Hoosiers during the semifinals of the 1973 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the Checkerdome. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center (32) Bill Walton during the 1973 Final Four against Memphis UCLA defeated Memphis 87-66 Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center Bill Walton (32) during the 1973 Final Four against Memphis. UCLA defeated Memphis 87-66. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center Bill Walton (32) smiles on the bench while celebrating a victory in the 1973 NCAA National Championship game against the Memphis Tigers at St. Louis Arena. UCLA defeated Memphis 87-66. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center Bill Walton (32) during the 1973 Final Four against Memphis. UCLA defeated Memphis 87-66. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center Bill Walton (32) in action against the Memphis State Tigers at St. Louis Arena during the 1973 NCAA Men's Final Four to win the national championship. The Bruins defeated the Tigers 87-66 and Walton was named the tournament's most outstanding player. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
March 26, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center (32) Bill Walton during the 1973 Final Four against Memphi. UCLA defeated Memphis 87-66. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 1973; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center Bill Walton (32) in action against the Memphis State Tigers at St. Louis Arena during the 1973 NCAA Men's Final Four to win the national championship. The Bruins defeated the Tigers 87-66 and Walton was named the tournament's most outstanding player. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1973; unknown location, USA, FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center (32) Bill Walton in action during the 1972 season. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 1974; South Bend, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center Bill Walton (32) in action against Notre Dame Irish forward John Shumate (34) at the Joyce Center during the 1973-74 season. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 1974; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; UCLA center Bill Walton in action against Kansas Jayhawks forward Mark Mathews during the 1974 Final Four championship. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Boston, MA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Portland Trailbazers center Bill Walton (left) battles for position with Boston Celtics center Dave Cowens (right) at Boston Garden. Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Portland Trailblazers center Bill Walton (32) pulls down a rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Forum. MPS-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1977; unknown location, USA; Portland Trailblazers center (32) Bill Walton in action during the 1977 season. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1977; unknown location, USA; Portland Trailblazers center Bill Walton (32) on the bench during a timeout during the 1977 season.
Unknown date & location, USA: FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center (32) Bill Walton in action against North Carolina State Wolfpack. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
March 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; ESPN broadcaster Bill Walton during the second half in the championship game of the Pac-12 Conference tournament between the Oregon Ducks and the Arizona Wildcats at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Wildcats defeated the Ducks 80-52. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2018; Spokane, WA, USA; ESPN announcer Bill Walton stand with the student section of Gonzaga Bulldogs before a basketball game against the Washington Huskies at McCarthey Athletic Center. James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; NBA former player and NCAA Radio Network personality Bill Walton greets San Diego State Aztecs fans before the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls in the semifinals of the Final Four of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; ESPN analyst Bill Walton during the game between the UCLA Bruins and the Maryland Terrapins at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
