View source for Bill Walton

{{short description|American basketball player and sportscaster (1952–2024)}}
{{similar names|William Walton (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Bill Walton
| image = Bill walton blazers photo.jpg
| alt = Walton seated in a Blazers jersey
| caption = Walton with the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in 1977
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1952|11|5}}
| birth_place = [[La Mesa, California]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2024|05|27|1952|11|5}}
| death_place = [[San Diego]], California, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 210
| high_school = [[Helix High School|Helix]] (La Mesa, California)
| college = [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] (1971–1974)
| draft_year = 1974
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 1
| draft_team = [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| career_start = 1974
| career_end = 1988
| career_position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| career_number = 32, 5
| years1 = {{nbay|1974|start}}–{{nbay|1978|end}}
| team1 = [[Portland Trail Blazers]]
| years2 = {{nbay|1979|start}}–{{nbay|1984|end}}
| team2 = [[Los Angeles Clippers|San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers]]
| years3 = {{nbay|1985|start}}–{{nbay|1987|end}}
| team3 = [[Boston Celtics]]
| highlights = * 2× [[NBA champion]] ({{nbafy|1977}}, {{nbafy|1986}})
* [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] (1977)
* [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]] ({{nbay|1977|end}})
* 2× [[NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1977}}, {{nasg|1978}})
* [[All-NBA First Team]] ({{nbay|1977|end}})
* [[All-NBA Second Team]] (1977)
* 2× [[NBA All-Defensive First Team]] (1977, 1978)
* [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award|NBA Sixth Man of the Year]] ({{nbay|1985|end}})
* [[List of National Basketball Association annual rebounding leaders|NBA rebounding leader]] ({{nbay|1976|end}})
* [[List of National Basketball Association annual blocks leaders|NBA blocks leader]] ({{nbay|1976|end}})
* {{abbr|No.|Number}} 32 [[Portland Trail Blazers#Retired numbers|retired by Portland Trail Blazers]]
* [[NBA anniversary team]] ([[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|50th]], [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th]])
* 2× [[List of NCAA Men's Division I Basketball champions|NCAA champion]] ([[1972 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1972]], [[1973 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1973]])
* 2× [[NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player]] (1972, 1973)
* 3× [[List of U.S. men's college basketball national player of the year awards|National college player of the year]] (1972–1974)
* 3× Consensus first-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] ([[1972 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1972]]–[[1974 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1974]])
* [[James E. Sullivan Award]] (1973)
* 3× First-team [[List of All-Pac-12 Conference men's basketball teams|All-Pac-8]] (1972–1974)
* {{abbr|No.|Number}} 32 [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball retired numbers|retired by UCLA Bruins]]
* First-team [[Parade All-America Boys Basketball Team|''Parade'' All-American]] (1970)
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 6,215 (13.3 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 4,923 (10.5 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 1,590 (3.4 apg)
| HOF_player = bill-walton
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
}}

'''William Theodore Walton III''' (November 5, 1952 – May 27, 2024) was an American [[basketball]] player and television [[Sports commentator|sportscaster]]. He played [[college basketball|collegiately]] for the [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA Bruins]] and professionally in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) for the [[Portland Trail Blazers]], [[Los Angeles Clippers|San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers]], and [[Boston Celtics]]. He is a member of the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] and the [[National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame]].

Walton rose to prominence in the early 1970s as UCLA's starting [[Center (basketball)|center]] for coach [[John Wooden]]. The {{convert|6|ft|11|in|m|adj=on}} Walton won three consecutive [[List of U.S. men's college basketball national player of the year awards|national college player of the year]] awards (1972–1974), while leading UCLA to [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA championships]] in 1972 and 1973 and an 88-game winning streak. After being selected as the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|first overall pick]] in the [[1974 NBA draft]], Walton led the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] to the team's first and only [[List of NBA champions|NBA championship]] [[1977 NBA Finals|in 1977]], earning the [[NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award]]. The following season, Walton was the 1978 [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]] (MVP).

Walton's professional career, however, was significantly hampered by foot injuries, requiring numerous surgeries (Walton underwent 37 orthopedic surgeries in his lifetime).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skipper |first=Clay |date=March 26, 2016 |title=The Thing Bill Walton Still Can't Forgive Himself For |url=https://www.gq.com/story/bill-walton-back-from-the-dead-interview |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2017 |title=Bill Walton's Battle With Chronic Pain And His Journey 'Back From The Dead' |url=https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2017/08/18/archenemies-bill-walton-book-back-from-dead |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=www.wbur.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Sam |date=March 25, 2016 |title=Bill Walton's Long, Strange Tale of N.B.A. Survival |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/magazine/bill-waltons-long-strange-tale-of-nba-survival.html |access-date=May 30, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As a result, Walton only played in 468 out of 1,148 possible regular season games across his 14-year NBA career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Walton Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltobi01.html |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> After his MVP season, Walton sat out the 1978–79 season and was then signed by the Clippers, for whom he played four injury-plagued seasons. His career was rehabilitated during two seasons with the Celtics at the end of his career. Playing as a backup center behind [[Robert Parish]], Walton earned the [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award]] in the 1985–86 season and contributed significantly to the Celtics' playoff run that year, culminating in his [[1986 NBA Finals|second NBA championship]].<ref>{{cite web |title=William "Bill" Walton Biography |url=http://hoophall.com/halloffamers/Walton.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205053830/http://hoophall.com/halloffamers/Walton.htm |archive-date=December 5, 2006 |website=Hoophall.com |access-date=October 22, 2018 |date=December 5, 2006}}</ref> He was named to the [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|NBA's 50th]] and [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th anniversary teams]].<ref name=top50>{{cite web |url=https://www.nba.com/history/nba-at-50/top-50-players |title=NBA at 50: Top 50 Players |work=NBA.com |date= |accessdate=February 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504232939/https://www.nba.com/history/nba-at-50/top-50-players |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="top75">{{cite web |date= |title=NBA 75 |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217170248/https://www.nba.com/75 |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |accessdate=February 21, 2022 |work=NBA.com}}</ref>

After retiring from the NBA, Walton overcame stuttering and embarked on a second career as a sportscaster, working both as a studio analyst and color commentator with several networks and teams. He earned an [[Emmy Award]] in 1991.

==Early life==
Walton was born and raised in [[La Mesa, California]], a suburb of [[San Diego]], the son of Gloria Anne ([[Maiden and married names|née]] Hickey) and William Theodore "Ted" Walton Jr. He was raised with siblings [[Bruce Walton (American football)|Bruce]], Cathy, and Andy. The Walton home was on a hillside on Colorado Avenue, just below [[Lake Murray (California)|Lake Murray]].<ref name=papanek_10151979>{{cite magazine|first=John|last=Papanek|date=October 15, 1979|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1979/10/15/824049/climbing-to-the-top-again-out-for-a-year-with-injuries-a-reflective-more-temperate-bill-walton-has-changed-the-style--if-not-the-substance--of-his-life-as-he-starts-anew-in-san-diego|title=Climbing To The Top Again|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709161026/https://www.si.com/vault/1979/10/15/824049/climbing-to-the-top-again-out-for-a-year-with-injuries-a-reflective-more-temperate-bill-walton-has-changed-the-style--if-not-the-substance--of-his-life-as-he-starts-anew-in-san-diego|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Walton's father was a music teacher and social worker, and his mother was a librarian. His parents had interests in art, literature, politics, and music. Walton took music lessons, and although his parents were not sports-oriented, Walton followed in the footsteps of his older brother Bruce, who had gravitated toward sports. When the Walton children were in junior high and high school, their father formed an informal family band: Bruce played trombone, Bill played baritone horn, Andy played the saxophone, and Cathy played drums (or flute or tuba).<ref name="Reed-1972">{{Cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1972/03/06/big-bill-loves-to-eat-em-up|title=Big Bill Loves to Eat 'em Up|first=William F.|last=Reed|date=March 6, 1972|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=March 18, 2024|archive-date=November 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114140129/https://vault.si.com/vault/1972/03/06/big-bill-loves-to-eat-em-up|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton first played organized basketball under Frank "Rocky" Graciano, who coached at Walton's Catholic elementary school.<ref name="Reed-1972"/> Walton said that Graciano "made it [basketball] fun and really emphasized the joy of playing the team game. I was a skinny, scrawny guy. I stuttered horrendously, couldn't speak at all. I was a very shy, reserved player and a very shy, reserved person. I found a safe place in life in basketball."<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESPN.com – Page2 – Bill Walton |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/questions/billwalton.html |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=www.espn.com |archive-date=December 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203234651/https://www.espn.com/page2/s/questions/billwalton.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==High school career==
Walton played high school basketball at [[Helix High School]] in La Mesa alongside his older brother [[Bruce Walton (American football)|Bruce]], who was also a star on the school's football team and would later go on to play for the [[Dallas Cowboys]]. During games with the two Waltons on the court, any tough physical treatment laid out on the younger Bill would be matched back by the {{height|ft=6|in=6}}, {{convert|300|lb|0}} Bruce in turn.<ref name="Lex-2014">{{cite web|url=http://lexnihilnovi.blogspot.com/2014/06/bruce-walton-had-bills-back-in-high.html|title=Lex Nihil Novi: Bruce Walton had Bill's Back in High School|last=Lex|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726231019/http://lexnihilnovi.blogspot.com/2014/06/bruce-walton-had-bills-back-in-high.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Salas |first=Dagny |title=The Next Reinvention of Bill Walton |date=March 8, 2010 |work=voiceofsandiego.org |url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/people/article_ba9bbe5c-2b28-11df-96dd-001cc4c002e0.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024033724/http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/people/article_ba9bbe5c-2b28-11df-96dd-001cc4c002e0.html |archive-date=October 24, 2010 |access-date=November 16, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

"When those opposing teams would try to get physical with me, Bruce would do whatever it took to protect me," Walton recalled. "He went on to play for the [[1975 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]. Bruce and I are the only brother combination in history to ever play in the [[Super Bowl X|Super Bowl]] and to win the [[1977 NBA Finals|NBA championship]]."<ref name="Lex-2014"/>

"When they would begin to rough up Bill, I would look at coach and he would give me a nod." recalled Bruce. "Yes," said Gloria Walton, "then when the referee wasn't looking, Bruce would give the player an elbow and let him know that the skinny guy was his kid brother."<ref name="si.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1972/03/06/576383/big-bill-loves-to-eat-em-up|title=UCLA's superstar feeds their fast break and feasts on their foes|website=Si.com|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=July 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710173800/https://www.si.com/vault/1972/03/06/576383/big-bill-loves-to-eat-em-up|url-status=live |last1=Reed |first1=William F. }}</ref>

Walton's struggle with injury and pain began while at Helix, where he broke an ankle, a leg, several bones in his feet, and underwent knee surgery.<ref name="nba.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/bill-walton|title=Legends profile: Bill Walton|website=NBA.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=September 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904204208/http://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/bill-walton|url-status=live}}</ref> Before his sophomore season, Walton underwent surgery to repair torn cartilage on his left knee. Because of his recovery from the knee surgery, Walton played most of his sophomore year on the junior varsity team. Coach Gordon Nash promoted him to the varsity team the end of the season. But, he played in only six games and did not start any of them.<ref name="si.com"/>

Between his sophomore and junior years of high school (age 15–16), Walton grew from {{height|ft=6|in=1}} to {{height|ft=6|in=7}}.<ref name="si.com"/> Coach Nash played Bill and Bruce Walton together in the paint. Bill was taller, but frail as he had not filled out his growing frame. Bill was unable to play a complete game without resting. "He would simply get too tired", recalled Nash. "When that happened, he'd tell me and I'd take him out."<ref name="si.com"/>

While Walton was in high school in [[1967–68 NBA season|1967]], the [[1967 NBA expansion draft|NBA expansion]] [[1967–68 San Diego Rockets season|San Diego Rockets]] came to town. The Rockets had no set practice facility and would often play pick-up games at Helix High School. Rocket players learned that to get into the Helix gym they could call the teenage Walton, who had his own gym key. Walton recalled [[Elvin Hayes]] calling and telling his mother, "Tell Billy, Big E is calling and we need him to open the gym tonight. I said, 'Mom, that's Big E! Give me the phone!' I was never so embarrassed in my life. Elvin and I are still close friends. All of those guys, all still my friends to this very day."<ref name="espn.com">{{cite web |date=August 26, 2016 |title=Walton blames self for Clippers' San Diego exit |url=http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16291255 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129061305/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16291255 |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |access-date=March 12, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

"We had the best gym in San Diego and all the Rockets players wanted to go there," Walton reflected. "They had some great teams with Elvin Hayes and [[Calvin Murphy]] and future head coaches and broadcasters such as [[Pat Riley]], [[Rick Adelman]], [[Rudy Tomjanovich]], [[Jim Barnett (basketball)|Jim Barnett]], and [[Stu Lantz]]. All these guys treated me—little Billy—like I was part of the team. They couldn't have been nicer, and I became their friend."<ref name="espn.com" />

===Championships and national records===
Walton overcame all obstacles and led Helix to 49 consecutive victories in his two varsity seasons.<ref name="sandiegomagazine.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/March-2013/Bill-Walton-Helix-High-School/|title=Bill Walton, Helix High School|website=[[San Diego Magazine]]|date=February 16, 2013 |access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=August 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821191441/http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/March-2013/Bill-Walton-Helix-High-School/|url-status=live}}</ref> Helix won the [[California Interscholastic Federation]] (CIF) Championship in both 1969 and 1970, finishing 29–2 in 1968–69 and 33–0 in 1969–70.<ref name="espn.com1">{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Walton_Bill.html|title=ESPN Classic – Walton weathered injuries to win titles|website=Espn.com|access-date=October 22, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215063722/http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Walton_Bill.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="si.com"/> He graduated at about {{height|ft=6|in=11}} tall.<ref name=papanek_10151979/> Walton averaged 29 points and 25 rebounds, as Helix finished 33–0 in his senior season.<ref name="espn.com1"/>

As a senior in 1969–70, Walton made 384 of 490 shot attempts, 78.3 percent, still the all-time national record.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfhs.org/RecordBook/Record-book-result.aspx?CategoryId=1154 |title=Record Book Result – Most Field Goals Made – Percentage – Season (Minimum 400 Attempts) |publisher=[[National Federation of State High School Associations]] |access-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729150237/https://www.nfhs.org/RecordBook/Record-book-result.aspx?CategoryId=1154 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, Walton's 825 rebounds that season ranks No 3 all-time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfhs.org/RecordBook/Record-book-result.aspx?CategoryId=1181 |title=Record Book Result – Most Rebounds – Season |publisher=National Federation of State High School Associations |access-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401143700/https://www.nfhs.org/RecordBook/Record-book-result.aspx?CategoryId=1181 |url-status=live }}</ref> His 25.0 rebounds per game in a season ranks {{abbr|No.|Number}} 7 all-time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfhs.org/RecordBook/Record-book-result.aspx?CategoryId=1183 |title=Record Book Result – Most Rebounds – Per Game – Season (Minimum 15 Games) |publisher=National Federation of State High School Associations |access-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-date=July 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729150239/https://www.nfhs.org/RecordBook/Record-book-result.aspx?CategoryId=1183 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1970, Walton was featured in "Faces in the Crowd" in the January 26 issue of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'', his first national media recognition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nba/photos/2012/11/09never-before-seen-bill-walton-photos|title=Never-Before-Seen Bill Walton Photos|website=Si.com|date=November 9, 2012 |access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709132514/https://www.si.com/nba/photos/2012/11/09never-before-seen-bill-walton-photos|url-status=live}}</ref>

"It was a dream come true to be a part of a special team," Walton said. "Helix is where it all began. It was a humbling honor and privilege to be on the same squad as true legends Monroe Nash, Wilbur Strong, Phil Edwards, and Bruce Menser. I'm the luckiest guy on earth."<ref name="sandiegomagazine.com"/>

[[Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] Coach [[Denny Crum]], then an assistant coach at [[UCLA Bruins basketball|University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA) under [[John Wooden]], was sent to watch Walton play. Crum first saw Walton in 1968 as a high school junior and was at first dubious when hearing of Walton, but went to scout him anyway. "I came back and told Coach Wooden that this Walton kid was the best high school player I'd ever seen," Crum recalled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/history/finals/19761977.html|title=NBA.com: Walton, Lucas Ignite 'Blazermania'|website=Nba.com|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708180303/https://www.nba.com/history/finals/19761977.html|archive-date=July 8, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==College career==
[[File:Bill Walton – UCLA (2).jpeg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Walton on the court with his arms extended|Bill Walton playing for UCLA]]

Beginning in elementary and high school, Walton had loyally followed UCLA's basketball team on the radio. He was recruited by many colleges, but quickly accepted UCLA's scholarship offer to play basketball for the Bruins and Coach Wooden. Wooden became a lifetime mentor to Walton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/index/_/id/5264481|title=Bill Walton lives Coach John Wooden's maxims through his charity work – Page 2 – ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527183341/http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/index/_/id/5264481|url-status=live}}</ref>

Said Walton of Coach Wooden: "I was John Wooden's easiest recruit. I became his worst nightmare. I drove the poor guy to an early grave when he was 99. I had three different periods of my life in my relationship with him: (1) when I was a high school student and he was recruiting me; (2) when I played for him when I was 17 to 21; (3) and then 36 years of being his friend. I had no idea what we had at UCLA. I thought everybody had the same thing: great parents, great schools, great neighborhoods, great colleges, great coaches. Then I joined the NBA. And I realized immediately that I had just absolutely blown this whole deal with John Wooden. And so I spent the rest of my life, first of all, trying to make it up to him; and second of all, no longer [bringing] consternation into his life."<ref name="GQ.com-2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/bill-walton-back-from-the-dead-interview|title=The Thing Bill Walton Still Can't Forgive Himself For|website=GQ.com|date=March 26, 2016|access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402232356/https://www.gq.com/story/bill-walton-back-from-the-dead-interview|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton played for UCLA under Coach Wooden from 1971 to 1974. His older brother Bruce played football at UCLA, enrolling a year ahead of Bill. Bill Walton led the Bruins to two consecutive 30–0 seasons and the NCAA men's basketball record 88-game winning streak. The UCLA streak contributed to a personal winning streak of 142 games that lasted almost five years, in which Walton's high school, UCLA freshman (freshmen were ineligible for the varsity at that time) and UCLA varsity teams did not lose a game from the middle of his junior year of high school to the middle of his senior year in college.<ref>{{cite news|first=Craig|last=Meyer|title=Bill Walton college: Stats, highlights, records from UCLA center's Hall of Fame career|date=May 27, 2024|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2024/05/27/bill-walton-college-stats-ucla-basketball-highlights-records-john-wooden/73871191007/|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527201442/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2024/05/27/bill-walton-college-stats-ucla-basketball-highlights-records-john-wooden/73871191007/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Freshman season (1970–1971)===
Prior to joining the varsity team, Walton (18.1 ppg, 68.6% field goal accuracy), along with [[Greg Lee (basketball)|Greg Lee]] (17.9 ppg) and [[Jamaal Wilkes|Keith Wilkes]] (20.0 ppg), was a member of the 20–0 1970–71 UCLA freshman team.

The varsity UCLA team, led by seniors [[Sidney Wicks]], [[Curtis Rowe]], and [[Steve Patterson (basketball)|Steve Patterson]] defeated [[Villanova Wildcats men's basketball|Villanova]] in the [[1971 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|1971 NCAA Championship Game]] for UCLA's fifth consecutive NCAA title.<ref>1972 Official Collegiate Basketball Guide, College Athletics Publishing Service, 1971</ref>

After Walton initially refused to cut his hair as an incoming freshman, Coach Wooden told Walton "we'll miss you." Walton then rode his bike to a nearby barber.<ref name="Powell-2014">{{cite journal|url=http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/69647386/bill-walton-back-pain-ucla-portland-trail-blazers-boston-celtics|title=Bill Walton is finally feeling like himself again.|first=Shaun|last=Powell|date=March 20, 2014|website=Sportsonearth.com|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=February 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226183419/http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/69647386/bill-walton-back-pain-ucla-portland-trail-blazers-boston-celtics|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sophomore season (1971–1972)===
The 1971–72 UCLA basketball team had a record of 30–0, winning its games by an average margin of more than 30 points, averaging 94.6 points to opponents' 64.3. With Walton playing alongside [[Henry Bibby]], [[Larry Farmer (basketball)|Larry Farmer]], Wilkes, Lee, and [[Swen Nater]], UCLA finished 14–0 in the [[Pac-12 Conference|Pac 8 Conference]].<ref name="sports-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ucla/1972.html|title=1971–72 UCLA Bruins Roster and Stats|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310055943/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ucla/1972.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 25-team [[1972 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|1972 NCAA tournament]], UCLA defeated [[Weber State Wildcats men's basketball|Weber State]] 90–58. They defeated [[Long Beach State 49ers men's basketball|Long Beach State]] and coach [[Jerry Tarkanian]] in the Western Regional final 73–57 to reach the Final Four. Playing 20 minutes due to foul trouble, Walton had four points and 12 rebounds in the victory over Weber State, taking only one shot. He had 19 points and 11 rebounds against Long Beach State.<ref name="sports-reference.com"/><ref name="Sports-Reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bill-walton-1/gamelog/1972/|title=Bill Walton 1971–72 Game Log|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310055720/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bill-walton-1/gamelog/1972|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1972 Final Four, Walton had 33 points and 21 rebounds, on 11 of 13 shooting and 11 of 12 free-throws, against [[Louisville Cardinals men's basketball|Louisville]] in the NCAA semifinal, as UCLA won 96–77. In the NCAA championship game, he had 24 points and 20 rebounds in the Bruins' 81–76 victory over Florida State. Walton was named the 1972 [[NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player]].<ref name="Sports-Reference.com"/>

Overall, in 30 games in 1971–72, Walton averaged 21.1 points and 15.5 rebounds, shooting 64.0% from the field. He was named first-team All-American with [[Jim Chones]] of [[Marquette University|Marquette]], [[Bo Lamar]] of the [[University of Louisiana at Lafayette|Louisiana-Lafayette]], [[Ed Ratleff]] of Long Beach State, and [[Tom Riker]] of [[University of South Carolina|South Carolina]].<ref name="sports-reference.com1">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bill-walton-1.html|title=Bill Walton College Stats|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=December 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217063656/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bill-walton-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="basketball-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_america.html|title=NCAA College Basketball AP All-America Teams|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=September 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904083510/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_america.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Junior season (1972–1973)===
[[File:1973 UCLA basketball NCAA champions.JPG|thumb|1973 UCLA yearbook, Southern Campus. 1973 UCLA basketball NCAA champions, Walton in back middle.]]

UCLA again finished 30–0 overall and 14–0 in the Pac-8 conference in 1972–73, winning its games by an average margin of more than 20 points, averaging 81.3 points to their opponents' 60.1.<ref name="sports-reference.com2">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ucla/1973.html|title=1972–73 UCLA Bruins Roster and Stats|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=October 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002131755/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ucla/1973.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 25-team [[1973 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|1973 NCAA tournament]], UCLA defeated [[Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball|Arizona State]] 98–81 and then [[San Francisco Dons men's basketball|San Francisco]] in the West Regional Final 54–39 to reach the Final Four. Walton had 28 points and 14 rebounds against Arizona State, on 13 of 18 shooting, and 9 points and 14 rebounds against San Francisco, taking only 7 shots.<ref name="sports-reference.com3">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bill-walton-1/gamelog/1973/|title=Bill Walton 1972–73 Game Log|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310055752/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bill-walton-1/gamelog/1973|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sports-reference.com2"/>

In the 1973 Final Four, the Bruins won the national semifinal 70–59 over [[Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball|Indiana]] and [[National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] coach [[Bob Knight]]. Walton had 14 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists against Indiana.<ref name="sports-reference.com3"/><ref name="sports-reference.com2"/>

In the [[1973 NCAA University Division Basketball Championship Game|1973 NCAA title game]] against [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis State]], Walton had arguably the best individual performance in an NCAA championship game, which was the first held on Monday night. At the [[St. Louis Arena]] on March&nbsp;26, Walton scored 44 points on near-perfect 21 of 22 shooting. He added 13 rebounds, two assists, and one block, to lead the Bruins to a seventh straight title, 87–66 over Memphis State; the Tigers were led by head coach [[Gene Bartow]] (who replaced Wooden at UCLA three years later),<ref name="sivinmpt">{{cite magazine|last=McDermott|first=Barry|date=April 5, 1976|title=Indiana makes its point|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1976/04/05/614781/indiana-makes-its-point|magazine=Sports Illustrated|page=18|access-date=December 23, 2021|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330144838/https://www.si.com/vault/1976/04/05/614781/indiana-makes-its-point|url-status=live}}</ref> with players [[Larry Kenon]] and [[Larry Finch]]. Walton set the record for most points in an NCAA championship game, which still stands, and was the tournament's [[NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player|most outstanding player]].<ref name="sports-reference.com3"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.si.com/specials/100-greatest/?q=46-almost-perfect|title=The 100 Greatest Moments in Sports History – Almost Perfect|website=Sports Illustrated's 100 Greatest Moments|access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618085511/https://www.si.com/specials/100-greatest/?q=46-almost-perfect|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="espn.com1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/81866|title=Best individual title game performances|date=March 26, 2013|website=ESPN.com|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818213204/https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/81866|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton was hurt and left the game for the final time, with UCLA leading 75–62 and just under three<!-- 2 minutes 51 seconds--> minutes remaining. Playing with four personal fouls, Walton fell hard to the floor on a play and injured his left knee and ankle. He then limped off the floor, receiving an ovation from the 19,301 fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/03.26b.html |title=This Day In Sports|website=The New York Times |access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726231508/http://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/03.26b.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

"I don't think anything ever meant as much to me as playing UCLA and one of John Wooden's best teams for the national championship", Bartow said in 1993. "We were able to go right through the press." At halftime, the game was tied 39–39. Bartow added, "I felt very good at halftime, very good. But to win, we also felt we had to control Walton. We couldn't let him dominate the game. Obviously, we didn't do a good job of that. Bill Walton probably had one of the best games anybody ever had in the history of college basketball."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/sports/2010/06/john_wooden_retrospective_gene.html|title=John Wooden retrospective: Gene Bartow says he was the best teacher in history|first=Jimmy|last=Smith|date=June 5, 2010|website=Nola.com|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221112625/https://www.nola.com/sports/article_8e27167e-ae2a-5dce-9cad-5cb3c1611bf7.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

"Coach Wooden looked at me and said, 'Walton, I used to think you were a good player&nbsp;until you missed that one shot,{{'"}} Walton said.

Overall in [[1972–73 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team|1972–73]], Walton averaged 20.4 points and 16.9 rebounds in 30 games on 65.0% shooting, as UCLA again finished 30–0 (14–0 in the Pac-8 conference). Walton was a consensus [[1973 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] alongside [[Ernie DiGregorio]] of [[1972–73 Providence Friars men's basketball team|Providence]], [[Ed Ratleff]] of [[Long Beach State Beach men's basketball|Long Beach State]], [[David Thompson (basketball)|David Thompson]] of [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|North Carolina State]], and [[Kermit Washington]] of [[American Eagles men's basketball|American]].<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/><ref name="basketball-reference.com"/><ref name="sports-reference.com"/>

Walton's political personality was alive in his collegiate years on the UCLA campus.<ref name=cbcout>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KLBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3zIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3989%2C5887267 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Newsday |last=Libby |first=Bill |title=Bill Walton wants to be more than a cardboard cutout |date=January 29, 1973 |page=9 |access-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414194600/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KLBfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3zIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3989,5887267 |url-status=live }}</ref> "One of the saddest days for Coach Wooden was the day he came down and had to bail me out of jail after I got arrested in the anti-[[Vietnam War|Vietnam]] (War) protest. He said, 'Bill, I know you feel very strongly about this, but I just don't think that you getting arrested and taking part in this demonstration is what it's all about,'" recalled Walton.<ref name="espn.com1"/>

"I had no problem with him during the season," Wooden said of Walton's college days. "Off the floor I worried. I worried when he was thrown in jail with the group that took over the [[University of California, Los Angeles#Campus|administration]] building, I worried when he stopped traffic on [[Wilshire Boulevard]], and when he interrupted classes giving his views on the Vietnam War."<ref name="nba.com"/>

===Senior season (1973–1974)===
[[File:Bill Walton 1974 cropped.JPG|left|170px|thumb|Walton during the 1974 season]]

In Walton's senior year, UCLA's 88-game winning streak ended with a 71–70 loss at [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball|Notre Dame]] on January 19, 1974. Walton played wearing a back brace, as he had suffered a major back injury in a fall against [[Washington State Cougars men's basketball|Washington State]] the week before. He was undercut by a Washington State player and broke two bones in his spine, which remained damaged until corrective surgery in 2009. He missed three games. But, he made 12 of his first 13 shots and the Bruins led Notre Dame by 17 points at halftime. UCLA was leading 70–59 with 3½ minutes remaining. However, they were outscored 12–0, missing six consecutive shots with four turnovers. As was his belief, Wooden did not call time-outs late in games and stuck with the strategy. The Irish made six shots in a row, winning on Dwight Clay's shot with 29 seconds left, as Notre Dame prevailed 71–70. Walton, who missed a 12-foot shot off an inbounds pass to win the game as time expired, finished with 24 points and nine rebounds. He said of his efforts that day, "A complete failure on all levels, particularly as a human being. A disgrace to the game of basketball, a disgrace to sport."<ref name="foxnews.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/led-by-bill-walton-ucla-won-88-straight-games|title=Led by Bill Walton, UCLA won 88 straight games|date=March 27, 2015|website=Associated Press|access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709161353/https://www.foxnews.com/sports/led-by-bill-walton-ucla-won-88-straight-games|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Powell-2014"/>

A week later, the Bruins beat the Fighting Irish 94–75 at home.<ref name="foxnews.com"/> Later in the season, UCLA dropped consecutive games in consecutive days at Oregon and Oregon State,<ref name="ncaa.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2014-03-16/40-years-later-bill-walton-still-aches|title=40 years later Bill Walton still aches - NCAA.com|website=Ncaa.com|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726230334/https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2014-03-16/40-years-later-bill-walton-still-aches|url-status=live}}</ref> nicknamed "the Lost Weekend".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/01/oregon_basketball_bill_walton.html|title=Oregon basketball: Bill Walton reminisces on 'Lost Weekend'|first=The Oregonian|last=John Hunt|date=January 29, 2010|website=oregonlive|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-date=May 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528072113/https://www.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/01/oregon_basketball_bill_walton.html|url-status=live}}</ref> "There were so many problems", Walton said of the losses. "Injuries [he missed games with a bad back]. Team chemistry. It was just a nightmare."<ref name="ncaa.com"/>

UCLA finished 26–4 and 12–2 in the Pac 8 Conference, with Walton playing alongside [[Keith Wilkes]], [[Dave Meyers (basketball)|David Myers]], and [[Marques Johnson]].<ref name="sports-reference.com4">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ucla/1974.html|title=1973–74 UCLA Bruins Roster and Stats|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310060039/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ucla/1974.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 25 team [[1974 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|1974 NCAA tournament]], UCLA defeated [[Dayton Flyers men's basketball|Dayton]] 111–100, in a game where Walton had 27 points and 19 rebounds. UCLA next defeated San Francisco 83–60 in the Western Regional Final to reach the Final Four. Walton tallied 17 points, nine rebounds, and four assists against San Francisco.<ref name="sports-reference.com5">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bill-walton-1/gamelog/1974/|title=Bill Walton 1973–74 Game Log|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310055756/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bill-walton-1/gamelog/1974|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1974 Final Four, UCLA's record seven consecutive national titles was broken. [[North Carolina State Wolfpack men's basketball|North Carolina State]] defeated the Bruins 80–77 in double overtime in the NCAA semi-finals. Walton played 50 minutes and scored 29 points, adding 18 rebounds and 4 assists in the loss. The [[1973–74 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team|UCLA]]–[[1973–74 NC State Wolfpack men's basketball team|North Carolina State]] game was No. 13 on ''[[USA Today]]''{{'}}s list of the greatest NCAA tournament games of all time. Walton called the game the most disappointing outcome of his entire basketball career, as UCLA had a 5-point lead late in regulation and a 7-point lead in the 2nd overtime, before NC State with David Thompson rallied to win, 80–77.<ref>Mike Douchant – [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/basketball/men/02tourney/greatest-games.htm Greatest 63 games in NCAA Tournament history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629063538/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/basketball/men/02tourney/greatest-games.htm |date=June 29, 2011 }}. The Sports Xchange, published in ''USA Today'', March 25, 2002</ref><ref name="sports-reference.com5"/>

"David Thompson's a great champion. He is a wonderful person and a very special human being", Walton said. "He was really fun to play against. He was a dynamic big moment guy, and I just wish I could have risen to the occasion."<ref name="ncaa.com"/>

"That failure has plagued me, and will, it is a stigma on my soul, and there's no way I can get rid of it." Walton said of the loss, "We could have, we should have won them all, and we didn't get it done. And when you're in that position, it's the worst feeling in the world. That's the timelessness of pain and suffering; the agonizing, the reflection and the endless questioning of yourself. When you're right there and it's there for you and the whole world is watching, and it's recorded as history that can never be changed, that is a terribly heavy burden."<ref name="ncaa.com"/>

UCLA had to come back and play in the NCAA 3rd place game, in which they eventually defeated Kansas. "I didn't want to play and I told Coach Wooden that. We had a bitter argument over that, and I lost that argument, too", said Walton, who took only three shots as UCLA had a 78–61 win. He played 20 minutes in his last game for UCLA and Coach Wooden. "Twenty minutes too much", he said.<ref name="ncaa.com"/>

Overall, as a senior, Walton averaged 19.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists.<ref name="sports-reference.com4"/> He was named 1st Team All-American alongside [[Marvin Barnes]] of Providence, [[John Shumate]] of Notre Dame, David Thompson of North Carolina State, and teammate Wilkes of UCLA.<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/><ref name="basketball-reference.com"/>

===College totals===
[[File:Bill Walton – UCLA (1).jpeg|thumb|upright|Bill Walton – UCLA, 1974]]
In his 87 career games at UCLA, Walton shot 65.1% from the field, averaging 20.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. UCLA was 86–4 in Walton's three seasons.<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>

Walton was the 1973 recipient of the [[James E. Sullivan Award]] as the top amateur athlete in the United States. Walton also received the [[Oscar Robertson Trophy|USBWA College Player of the Year]] and [[Naismith College Player of the Year]] as the top college basketball player in 1972, 1973, and 1974. He earned Academic All-American honors in 1972, 1973 and 1974. Some college basketball historians rate Walton as the greatest who ever played at the college level.<ref>{{cite web |title=NCAA Basketball Tourney History - CBS SportsLine.com |url=http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/mayhem/history/yearbyyear/1973 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224145709/http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/mayhem/history/yearbyyear/1973 |archive-date=February 24, 2007 |website=CBS Sports Line |access-date=October 22, 2018 |date=February 24, 2007}}</ref>

Walton left UCLA to begin a new life in professional basketball and kept a lifetime friendship with Coach Wooden. "Coach Wooden never talked about winning and losing, but rather about the effort to win. He rarely talked about basketball, but generally about life. He never talked about strategy, statistics or plays, but rather about people and character. Coach Wooden never tired of telling us that once you become a good person, then you have a chance of becoming a good basketball player."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coachwooden.com/bill-walton-speaks|title=Official Site of Coach Wooden|website=Coachwooden.com|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402232141/http://www.coachwooden.com/bill-walton-speaks|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Professional career==

===Portland Trail Blazers (1974–1979)===

==== Injury-plagued early years (1974–1976) ====
[[File:Bill Walton – Trail Blazers (2).jpg|thumb|175px|left|Walton in 1975]]

Walton was drafted by the [[American Basketball Association]]'s [[Dallas Chaparrals]] in the 1973 [[ABA draft]] as an underclassman in an attempt to lure him from UCLA. In the locker room after the 1973 Championship game, Coach Wooden introduced Walton to representatives of the ABA, who hoped to convince him to turn pro. "Of which I had no interest in doing", Walton said.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/the-52/sdut-bill-walton-ncaa-championship-memphis-state-2016sep16-story.html|title=Bill Walton scorches Memphis State in record-setting title game|first=Bryce|last=Miller|website=Sandiegouniontribune.com|date=September 16, 2016|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723232705/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/the-52/sdut-bill-walton-ncaa-championship-memphis-state-2016sep16-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1974, the ABA's [[San Diego Sails|San Diego Conquistadors]] tried to persuade Walton to sign with them, after drafting him in the 1974 ABA draft.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldaper |first=Sam |date=March 28, 1974 |orig-date=March 28, 1974 |title=Blazers Win Draft Rights To Walton on a Coin Toss |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/03/28/archives/blazers-win-draft-rights-to-walton-on-a-coin-toss-previous-history.html |access-date=January 20, 2025 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Markazi |first=Arash |date=August 26, 2016 |title=Walton blames self for Clippers' San Diego exit |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16291255/bill-walton-blames-self-clippers-1984-departure-san-diego |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> San Diego had also signed [[Wilt Chamberlain]] as a player-coach as further incentive. Walton was not swayed.<ref name="espn.com"/><ref name="databasebasketball">{{cite web|url=http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=WaltoBi01 |title=Bill Walton Past Stats, Playoff Stats, Statistics, History, and Awards |website=Databasebasketball.com |date=November 5, 1952 |access-date=February 25, 2016 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114948/http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=WaltoBi01 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/16/archives/secret-draft-held-by-aba-members-nba-on-national-radio.html|title=Secret Draft Held by A.b.a. Members|newspaper=The New York Times|date=January 16, 1973|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820031346/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/01/16/archives/secret-draft-held-by-aba-members-nba-on-national-radio.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/04/18/archives/a-ba-goes-for-broke-in-draft-aba-goes-for-broke-in-draft-choices.html|title=A.B.A. Goes for Broke in Draft|first=Sam|last=Goldaper|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 18, 1974|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820083624/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/04/18/archives/a-ba-goes-for-broke-in-draft-aba-goes-for-broke-in-draft-choices.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton was the number one overall pick by the NBA's [[Portland Trail Blazers]] in the [[1974 NBA draft]]. Walton signed with the Trail Blazers.<ref name="databasebasketball" />

Walton's first two seasons in Portland were marred by chronic foot injuries. In addition, during his first two years, Walton badly sprained an ankle, broke his left wrist twice, dislocated two toes, dislocated two fingers, broke a toe and injured his leg in a jeep accident.<ref name="nba.com"/>

As a rookie in 1974–75, Walton averaged a double-double 12.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks in 35 games. The Trail Blazers with [[Geoff Petrie]], [[Sidney Wicks]], and [[LaRue Martin]] finished 38–44 under player/coach [[Lenny Wilkens]].<ref name="basketball-reference.com1">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltobi01.html|title=Bill Walton Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=May 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529201319/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltobi01.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1975.html|title=1974–75 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=February 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020509/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1975.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1975–76, Walton averaged 16.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 51 games as Portland, with rookies [[Bob Gross]] and [[Lionel Hollins]], finished 37–45.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1976.html|title=1975–76 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=January 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124231120/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1976.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />

==== First championship and Finals MVP (1976–1977) ====
[[File:Bill Walton and Jack Ramsay.jpeg|right|thumb|Walton and Portland coach [[Jack Ramsay]] holding the [[Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy|NBA championship trophy]] in 1977]]

In the [[1976–77 NBA season|1976–77 season]] Walton played in 65 games and, spurred by new head coach [[Jack Ramsay]], Walton and a newly acquired [[1976 ABA dispersal draft|ABA draftee]] in [[Maurice Lucas]], the [[1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season|Trail Blazers]] became the Cinderella team of the NBA. In a pre-season meeting with his new coach, Walton had advised Ramsay, "Coach, don't assume we know anything."<ref name="espn.com2">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/portland_ramsay_blazers.html|title=ESPN Classic – '77 Blazers: A special team in a special time|website=Espn.com|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818001209/https://www.espn.com/classic/s/portland_ramsay_blazers.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton led the NBA in both rebounds per game (14.4) and blocked shots per game (3.2) as he was selected to the [[NBA All-Star Game]], but did not participate due to an injury. Walton was named to the [[NBA All-Defensive First Team]] and the [[All-NBA Second Team]] for his regular-season accomplishments. He averaged 18.6 points, 14.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 blocks and Portland finished 49–33.<ref name="basketball-reference.com3">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1977.html|title=1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421215720/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1977.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />

In the 1977 postseason, Walton led #3 seed Portland to series victories over the [[Chicago Bulls]] with [[Artis Gilmore]] (2–1) and the [[Denver Nuggets]] with [[Dan Issel]] (4–2). He averaged 17.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 4.3 blocks in the first round series against the Bulls. In the Nuggets series Walton averaged 17.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 blocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1977-nba-western-conference-first-round-bulls-vs-trail-blazers.html|title=1977 NBA Western Conference First Round – Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423051735/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1977-nba-western-conference-first-round-bulls-vs-trail-blazers.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="basketball-reference.com3"/> In a 4–0 series sweep of the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the 1977 Western Conference finals, Walton averaged 19.3 points, 14.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.3 blocks playing against fellow UCLA alum [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1977/05/23/la-couldnt-move-the-mountain/ |work=CNN |title=L.a. Couldn't Move The Mountain |date=May 23, 1977 |access-date=April 26, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530070209/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1092432/index.htm |archive-date=May 30, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1977-nba-western-conference-finals-trail-blazers-vs-lakers.html|title=1977 NBA Western Conference Finals – Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423180349/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1977-nba-western-conference-finals-trail-blazers-vs-lakers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> That season, Abdul-Jabbar won the [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA's Most Valuable Player award]]; Walton finished second.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1976-77 NBA Awards Voting |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1977.html |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Portland matched up in the [[1977 NBA Finals]] against the favored [[Philadelphia 76ers]]. After losing the first two games, the Blazers won four straight to win the NBA championship. Walton scored 20 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in the clinching Game 6 victory,<ref name="basketball-reference.com4">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1977-nba-finals-trail-blazers-vs-76ers.html|title=1977 NBA Finals – Portland Trail Blazers vs. Philadelphia 76ers|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141449/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1977-nba-finals-trail-blazers-vs-76ers.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="espn.com2"/> and was named the [[NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award|Finals MVP]] with averages of 18.5 points, 19.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 3.7 blocks,<ref name="espn.com2"/><ref name="basketball-reference.com4"/> which prompted Philadelphia 76ers coach [[Gene Shue]] to comment after the series: "Bill Walton is the best player for a big man who ever played the game of basketball."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pediment.com/blogs/news/bill-walton-portland-trail-blazers|title=Bill Walton's Evolving Blazers Legacy|first=Jon|last=Shields|website=Pediment.com|date=October 25, 2016|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726232408/https://www.pediment.com/blogs/news/bill-walton-portland-trail-blazers|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== MVP campaign and holdout (1977–1979) ====
The following season, the 1977–78 Trail Blazers won 50 of their first 60 games, as Walton averaged 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks in 58 games. Walton then suffered a broken foot, ending his regular season. During this time, he befriended the controversial writer [[Jack Scott (sportswriter)|Jack Scott]], who wrote and published a book about him in 1978.<ref>{{cite book |last=Scott |first=Jack |title=Bill Walton: On the Road with the Portland Trail Blazers |date=1978 |publisher=Crowell-Collier Publishing Company |location=Springfield |isbn=978-0690016949 |edition=1}}</ref> Walton nonetheless won the 1978 [[NBA Most Valuable Player]] award and the ''[[Sporting News]]'' NBA MVP, as well. Walton played in his only [[NBA All-Star Game]] in 1978 and was named to both the NBA's First All-Defensive Team and the All-NBA First Team.<ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />

Portland finished the regular season 58–24, and Walton returned for the [[1978 NBA playoffs]]. He was injured in the second game of their Western Conference Semifinal series against the [[Seattle SuperSonics]], and was lost for the remainder of the playoffs. After having received a painkilling injection to play, X-rays taken after Game 2 revealed the navicular bone below Walton's left ankle was broken. Portland lost the series to Seattle in six games. Walton would never play for the Trail Blazers again.<ref name="Love-2007">{{cite book | title=Red Hot and Rollin': A Retrospection of the Portland Trail Blazers' 1976–77 NBA Championship Season |last=Love |first=Matt |year=2007 |publisher=Nestucca Spit Press |location=Pacific City, OR |isbn=978-0-9744364-8-7 |page=119}}</ref><ref name="basketball-reference.com5">{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1978.html |title=1977–78 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats |website=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=March 13, 2019 |archive-date=January 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119181648/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1978.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nba.com"/>

During the off-season, Walton demanded to be traded, citing unethical and incompetent treatment of his and other players' injuries by the Blazers' front office. He did not get his wish and sat out the entire [[1978–79 NBA season|1979 season]] in protest. Walton eventually signed with the [[Los Angeles Clippers|San Diego Clippers]] when he became a free agent in 1979.<ref name="Love-2007"/>

In five seasons with Portland, Walton played in 209 games, averaging a [[double-double]] of 17.1 points and 13.5 rebounds, with 4.4 assists and 2.6 blocks.<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/>

===San Diego Clippers (1979–1985)===
On May 13, 1979, Walton signed as a veteran free agent with the [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]; the Portland Trail Blazers received [[Kevin Kunnert]], [[Kermit Washington]] and a 1980 first-round draft pick ([[Mike Gminski]] was later selected) as compensation ordered by the NBA. Walton reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $7 million contract.<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/><ref name="nba.com"/>

Due to injuries, Walton spent more time on the disabled list than on the [[Basketball court|court]] with his hometown team. In his first season with San Diego, Walton played 14 games for the Clippers in the [[1979–80 NBA season|1979–80 season]]. Walton re-fractured the navicular bone in the fourth 1979 exhibition game and subsequently missed all of the 1980–81 and 1981–82 seasons, undergoing several surgeries on his injured foot. Walton ignored doctors who said he would never play again and underwent surgery to restructure his left foot in 1981. His high arch, which made the foot bones susceptible to breaking, was lowered to relieve the stress on the bones.<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/><ref name="nba.com"/>

Following extensive rehabilitation, which included biking and sand volleyball, Walton's foot began to improve; after playing only 14 games from 1979 to 1982, he played 33 games in [[1982–83 NBA season|1982–83]] under doctor's orders to play about one game per week. He played in 55 games in [[1983–84 NBA season|1983–84]], and a then-career-high 67 in [[1984–85 NBA season|1984–85]], by which time the Clippers had relocated to Los Angeles.<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/><ref name="nba.com"/>

"When you fail in your hometown, that's as bad as it gets, and I love my hometown", said Walton of his tenure in San Diego. "I wish we had NBA basketball here, and we don't because of me. It's my greatest failure as a professional in my entire life, I could not get the job done in my hometown. It is a stain and stigma on my soul that is indelible. I'll never be able to wash that off, and I carry it with me forever."<ref name="espn.com"/>

On Clippers owner [[Donald Sterling]], Walton commented, "The checks bounced higher than the basketballs when Donald Sterling took over. The basketball was awful, and the business side was immoral, dishonest, corrupt, and illegal. Other than that, it was all fine."<ref name="espn.com"/>

In 169 games with the Clippers, Walton averaged 11.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.3 blocks, shooting 53.2%. The Clippers never finished near .500 or made the playoffs in his tenure with the franchise.<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/> As his feet became more durable, the Clippers had won 30 and 31 games in his final two seasons. At age 32, Walton wished to move to a winning franchise and reached out to teams after the season ended in 1985.<ref name="nba.com"/>

===Boston Celtics (1985–1987)===

==== Second championship and sixth man award (1985–1986) ====
[[File:Walton Lipofsky (1 of 1).JPG|thumb|left|170px|[[Michael Cooper]] watches as Walton grabs a rebound during the [[1987 NBA Finals]]]]

After the 1984–85 campaign, Walton called on two of the league's premier teams, the [[Boston Celtics]] and the [[Los Angeles Lakers]]. After several players on the Celtics said they liked the idea of having Walton as a teammate backing up [[Robert Parish]] and [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]], [[Red Auerbach]] made the deal happen. One anecdote that particularly illustrates Walton's decision to choose the Celtics over the Lakers involves [[Larry Bird]], who happened to be in Auerbach's office when Walton called. Bird said that if Walton felt healthy enough to play that it was good enough for him, as opposed to Lakers [[General manager (basketball)|GM]] [[Jerry West]], who was hedging his interest in Walton pending a doctor's report.<ref name="nba.com"/>

On September 6, 1985, Walton was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Boston Celtics for [[Cedric Maxwell]] and a 1986 1st round draft pick ([[Arvydas Sabonis]] was later selected).<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/>

Walton described doctors looking at his X-rays at the hospital after he arrived in Boston: <blockquote>And then Red, he bursts in through the double doors&nbsp;... and he's smoking his cigar in the hospital, and he walks in and says, "Who are you guys and what are you doing with my player?" And they're saying, "Red, come here. Look at this. Look at his feet. Look at his face. We can't pass this guy." And Red says, "Shut up. I'm in charge here." And Red pushes his way through all the doctors, comes over. I'm lying on the table there in the doctors examining room. Red looks down at me. He says, "Walton, can you play?" I looked up at him with the sad, soft eyes of a young man who just wanted one more chance. One more chance to be part of something special, to be part of the team, to be with the guys one more time. And I looked up at him, and I said, "Red, I think I can. I think I can, Red." And Red, through the smoke, with a big, cherubic grin on his face, looked at the doctors, looked at me, and he said, "He's fine. He passes. Let's go. We've got a game." And we were able to go out and win a championship. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. Thank you Red Auerbach. Thank you Larry Bird. Thank you Boston Celtics. Thank you people of New England. Thank you Celtic nation. Wow. What a dream come true.<ref name="boston.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2016/03/28/566069|title=Bill Walton tells the story of how he ended up with the Celtics|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802070450/https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2016/03/28/566069|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

In his first time in a Celtics uniform in the [[Boston Garden]], Walton received one-minute standing ovation from the Boston home crowd walking onto the court for his first exhibition game in 1985.<ref name="nba.com"/>

Walton played a career-high 80 games for Coach [[KC Jones]] and the Celtics during the 1985–86 season. Walton averaged 7.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 19 minutes, and finished with a career-high 56.2 field goal percentage. Providing a reliable backup to [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]] and [[Robert Parish]], and playing alongside [[Larry Bird]], [[Danny Ainge]] and [[Dennis Johnson]], Walton received the 1986 [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award]] en route to the NBA championship. He became the only player to have won an NBA Finals MVP, Sixth Man Award, and regular season MVP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1986.html|title=1985–86 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415044414/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1986.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="boston.com"/>

The [[1986 NBA playoffs]] were Walton's first taste of the postseason in nearly a decade, at age 33. Backing up McHale and Parish, he averaged 6.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 19 minutes as the Celtics' had a 3–0 sweep in the Eastern Conference first round over the [[Chicago Bulls]] with [[Michael Jordan]] (43.7 point average in the series).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bulls-vs-celtics.html|title=1986 NBA Eastern Conference First Round – Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=April 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429102504/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bulls-vs-celtics.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the Celtics' 4–1 series win over the [[Atlanta Hawks]] with [[Dominique Wilkins]] in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, Walton averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 13 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-hawks-vs-celtics.html|title=1986 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals – Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=May 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510045126/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-hawks-vs-celtics.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the Eastern Conference Finals 4–0 sweep against the [[Milwaukee Bucks]], Walton averaged 8.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 18 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-eastern-conference-finals-bucks-vs-celtics.html|title=1986 NBA Eastern Conference Finals – Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=May 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510155421/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-eastern-conference-finals-bucks-vs-celtics.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[1986 NBA Finals]], the Celtics defeated the [[Houston Rockets]] with "Twin Towers" [[Hakeem Olajuwon]] and [[Ralph Sampson]] 4–2 to win the NBA Championship. Walton averaged 8.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks in 19 minutes, in helping the Celtics win the championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-finals-rockets-vs-celtics.html|title=1986 NBA Finals – Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329234344/https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-finals-rockets-vs-celtics.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

"I knew we had something going when we got Walton", Larry Bird said on Walton and the 1985–86 Celtics. "It was all a matter of if he could stay healthy. We already had a pretty good team, and I think adding him and [[Jerry Sichting|(Jerry) Sichting]] really helped us. Robert Parish accepting Bill Walton for who he is and what kind of player he was, I thought that was major. That's the best team I've ever been on, no question about that. I mean, we were good from top to bottom."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2015/12/29/bulpett-30-years-later-86-celtics-still-a-team-for-ages/|title=Bulpett: 30 years later "86 Celtics still a team for ages|date=December 29, 2015|access-date=March 13, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709165008/https://www.bostonherald.com/2015/12/29/bulpett-30-years-later-86-celtics-still-a-team-for-ages/|url-status=live}}</ref>

"It wasn't important to me because I had no say in the personnel decisions, but what I was impressed with was Bill Walton's character", Parish said of Walton joining the Celtics. "He thought enough of me to make sure I was comfortable with him being on the team. That's why I have the utmost respect for Bill Walton and that's the main reason why he was my inductee into the Hall of Fame. Bill Walton is my main man, for that reason."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2016/05/28/robert-parish-prefers-leave-glory-behind/ZLnuJdWnXxlRp31AIfAOuI/story.html|title=Robert Parish prefers to leave the glory behind – The Boston Globe|website=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=March 17, 2019|archive-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424062327/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2016/05/28/robert-parish-prefers-leave-glory-behind/ZLnuJdWnXxlRp31AIfAOuI/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Injury-plagued final playing year (1986–1987) ====
Walton was injured again in the 1986–87 regular season, but returned in time for the [[1987 NBA playoffs|1987 playoffs]]. He played in only ten games during the season.

Walton spent the [[1987–88 NBA season|1987–88 season]] on the Celtics' injured list.<ref name="hilton" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltobi01.html|title=Bill Walton|website=[[Basketball-Reference.com]]|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529201319/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltobi01.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He attempted a comeback in [[1989–90 NBA season|February 1990]], but injuries intervened and he retired as a player.<ref name="hilton">{{cite web |last1=Hilton |first1=Lisette |title=ESPN Classic – Walton weathered injuries to win titles |url=http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Walton_Bill.html |website=Espn.com |access-date=October 22, 2018 |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215063722/http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Walton_Bill.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Overall, Walton played 90 total games for the Celtics, shooting 55.1% and averaging 7.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 blocks in 18 minutes.<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/>

==National team career==
At age 17, just out of high school, in the summer of 1970, Walton was selected to represent the [[United States men's national basketball team|U.S. national basketball team]] at the [[1970 FIBA World Championship]]. The team, under coach Hal Fisher, failed to win a medal in the tournament, coming in a disappointing fifth place. By far the youngest player on the roster and in the tournament, Walton played minimally in five games, averaging 2.6 points.<ref>{{cite web |title=USA Basketball: Men's World Championship Team History – 1970 |url=http://www.usabasketball.com/history/mwc_1970.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824215543/http://www.usabasketball.com/history/mwc_1970.html |archive-date=August 24, 2007 |website=Usabasketball.com |access-date=October 22, 2018 |date=August 24, 2007}}</ref>

===1972 Olympics===
Walton was selected to the [[1972 United States men's Olympic basketball team|1972 U.S. Olympic basketball team]], but declined to participate.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Haygood |first1=Wil |title=Tigerland 1968–1969: A City Divided, a Nation Torn Apart, and a Magical Season of Healing |page=341}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=MacMullan |first1=Jackie |title=Basketball: A Love Story |page=119}}</ref> Some saw it as a political statement given Walton's opposition to the [[Vietnam War]], but the most likely reason for his decision was his bad experience at the 1970 World Championships. In a 2004 interview with [[ESPN]], Walton stated that "for the first time in my life, I was exposed to negative coaching and the berating of players and the foul language and the threatening of people who didn't perform."<ref>[https://www.history.com/news/epic-sports-upsets-olympics-united-states-soviet-union#:~:text=Bill%20Walton%2C%20the%20best%20college,in%20the%20Olympics%20that%20year.&text=UCLA%27s%20Bill%20Walton%2C%20who%20was,and%20the%201972%20NCAA%20title "10 Things You May Not Know About U.S. Basketball's Shocking 1972 Olympics Loss"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126024518/https://www.history.com/news/epic-sports-upsets-olympics-united-states-soviet-union#:~:text=Bill%20Walton%2C%20the%20best%20college,in%20the%20Olympics%20that%20year.&text=UCLA%27s%20Bill%20Walton%2C%20who%20was,and%20the%201972%20NCAA%20title |date=November 26, 2022 }} ''History.com''</ref>

In the men's basketball final, the United States [[1972 Olympic Men's Basketball Final|controversially lost]] to the [[Soviet Union men's national basketball team|Soviet Union]] 51–50, finishing in [[Silver medal|second place]]. According to Russian sports historian Robert Edelman, "when [the Russians] saw who was and wasn't on the U.S. team, that's when they started feeling like they'd actually have a chance. They followed American basketball closely and they knew that no Walton was going to be a big deal." The 1972 U.S. team's forward [[James Forbes (basketball)|James Forbes]] told ESPN as part of a ''[[SportsCentury]]'' documentary, "If [Walton] plays, all of this becomes academic."<ref>[https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8245769/remembering-1972-us-olympic-squad-40-years-later-three-endings "Three seconds that turned hoop world upside down"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126024518/https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/basketball/story/_/id/8245769/remembering-1972-us-olympic-squad-40-years-later-three-endings |date=November 26, 2022}} ''ESPN.com''</ref>

== Legacy ==
Coach Jack Ramsay, in 2010, called Walton the best Portland Trail Blazer, "hands down no question." "Walton could do everything, he had great timing, complete vision of the floor, had excellent fundamentals and was a great passer, both in outlet passes and in the half court. He loved playing basketball, just loved it, practices, games&nbsp;... especially away games. He loved to win on the opponent's court. And he had a great head, a very dedicated team player."<ref name="Oregonian/OregonLive-2010">{{cite web |last=Oregonian/OregonLive |first=Jason Quick The |date=April 11, 2010 |title=Jack Ramsay: Bill Walton was the best Blazer |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/04/jack_ramsay_walton_was_the_bes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910094419/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/04/jack_ramsay_walton_was_the_bes.html |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |access-date=March 12, 2019 |website=OregonLive.com}}</ref> Of Walton's injuries, Ramsay added, "And that was very frustrating to both of us. To not be able to play was a crushing blow to him. And to me it was frustrating because I finally had a great team and a great player and it was all coming apart."<ref name="Oregonian/OregonLive-2010" /> Summarizing Walton's skill set, Ramsay has stated: “Bill Russell was a great shot blocker. Wilt Chamberlain was a great offensive player. But Walton can do it all.”<ref>{{cite web |title=Legends profile: Bill Walton |url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-legend-bill-walton |access-date=May 30, 2024 |website=NBA.com}}</ref>

"I'm here to try and make amends for the mistakes and errors of the past", Walton, said to the press in returning to Portland in 2009. "I regret that I wasn't a better person. A better player. I regret that I got hurt. I regret the circumstances in which I left the Portland Trail Blazers family. I just wish I could do a lot of things over, but I can't. So I'm here to apologize, to try and make amends, and to try and start over and make it better."<ref>{{cite web |last=Quick |first=Jason |date=October 17, 2009 |title=A tearful Bill Walton says he's ready to make amends with Portland |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/10/a_tearful_bill_walton_says_hes.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025014041/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/10/a_tearful_bill_walton_says_hes.html |archive-date=October 25, 2015 |access-date=March 15, 2019 |website=OregonLive.com}}</ref>

Walton said, reflecting on his career: "I loved basketball. And I was going to go until I couldn't go anymore. I had no desire to ever stop playing. I've never met anybody who stopped playing voluntarily. I ground my body up. I've had 37 (38 now) orthopedic operations. I ground my feet up into dust. I've got a new knee. I've got a new spine. I'm the lucky one, in that I never thought going through all of it that I would be healthy at the end. And I almost wasn't. But I'm all better now."<ref name="GQ.com-2016"/>

"I would love to play one more game", Walton said. "But then I would want to play another one. And another one. But I will take one."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/04/blazers_top_40_no_2_bill_walto.html|title=Blazers Top 40: No. 2 Bill Walton |first=Jason |last=Quick |website=OregonLive.com |date=April 11, 2010 |access-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-date=September 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909043227/http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2010/04/blazers_top_40_no_2_bill_walto.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Overall, Walton played 468 games in his NBA career. He averaged a career double-double of 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, with 3.4 assists and 2.2 blocked shots, averaging 28 minutes. He shot 52.1% from the floor for his career. Walton's injuries and surgeries limited his career, and counting his 1978–1979 year-long holdout, Walton played in 44% of the regular season games in his 13-year career.<ref name="nba.com"/><ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/> His listed playing height was {{height|ft=6|in=11}}; it has been reported that Walton was actually taller ({{height|ft=7|in=2}} or more), but he does not like being categorized as a seven-footer.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1000247/1/index.htm |title=Best Basketball Players Over 6–6 |access-date=May 27, 2010 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |archive-date=February 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225212236/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/gallery/featured/GAL1000247/1/index.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/08/sports/on-pro-basketball-feet-of-dancer-touch-of-surgeon-and-a-shot-too.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |title=ON PRO BASKETBALL; Feet of Dancer, Touch of Surgeon, and a Shot, Too |first=Harvey |last=Araton |date=June 8, 1994 |access-date=May 4, 2010 |archive-date=May 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514110328/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/08/sports/on-pro-basketball-feet-of-dancer-touch-of-surgeon-and-a-shot-too.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2021, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary ''[[The Athletic]]'' ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Walton as the 64th greatest player in NBA history.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2954960/2021/11/16/nba-75-at-no-64-bill-waltons-injury-plagued-career-couldnt-obscure-his-greatness/ |title=NBA 75: At No. 64, Bill Walton's injury-plagued career couldn't obscure his greatness |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305232602/https://theathletic.com/2954960/2021/11/16/nba-75-at-no-64-bill-waltons-injury-plagued-career-couldnt-obscure-his-greatness/ |url-status=live |last=Quick |first=Jason}}</ref> Encyclopædia Britannica considers him as "one of the best all-around players in the history of basketball".<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Walton {{!}} Biography, Stats, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Walton |access-date=May 29, 2024 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>

==Media career==
[[File:Bill Walton 8-26-08.JPG|thumb|upright|Walton overcame his [[stuttering]] and became a broadcaster.]]
Walton overcame a [[stuttering]] problem at age 28 with the help of legendary broadcaster [[Marty Glickman]], after a lengthy conversation between the two at an event.<ref name="insidegame">{{cite news |first=Pat |last=Jordan |title=Bill Walton's Inside Game |date=October 28, 2001 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/magazine/bill-walton-s-inside-game.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times Magazine]] |access-date=May 27, 2010 |archive-date=March 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309051653/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/magazine/bill-walton-s-inside-game.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stutteringhelp.org/famous-people/bill-walton|title=Bill Walton|website=The Stuttering Foundation|date=July 2011 |access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222024256/https://www.stutteringhelp.org/famous-people/bill-walton|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton said about his speech issues and subsequent career, "I'm a stutterer. I never spoke to anybody. I lived most of my life by myself. But as soon as I got on the court I was fine. But in life, being so self conscious, red hair, big nose, freckles and goofy, nerdy looking face and can't talk at all. I was incredibly shy and never said a word. Then, when I was 28 I learned how to speak. It's become my greatest accomplishment of my life and everybody else's biggest nightmare."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/2017/01/listen_bill_walton_with_a_deep.html|title=Bill Walton: 'I wish I could have done more' for the Trail Blazers|first=John|last=Canzano|date=January 26, 2017|website=Oregonlive.com|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726233708/https://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/2017/01/listen_bill_walton_with_a_deep.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

After his retirement as a player, Walton became a basketball color commentator. Walton worked for [[CBS]]'s [[NBA on CBS|NBA]] coverage during the [[1990 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] as well as [[NCAA on CBS|college basketball]] coverage for the network during the NCAA Tournament in 1991 and 1992.<ref>''NCAA on CBS'', March 14, 1991</ref><ref name=Dallas>{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-15-tv-6491-story.html | title=BILL WALTON: Calling the Shots | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=March 15, 1992 }}</ref> He was then named as rotating analyst with [[Mike Fratello]] (who would leave in 1992, leaving Walton as the sole analyst) to work with [[Ralph Lawler]] on local [[Los Angeles Clippers]] telecasts for over a decade from 1990 to 2002.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ocregister.com/2024/05/27/swanson-bill-walton-was-the-best-friend-and-a-unique-talent/ | title=Swanson: Bill Walton was the best friend and a unique talent | date=May 28, 2024 }}</ref> He also did work calling [[Dallas Mavericks]] games for a season in 1991–92 as well as calling UCLA college basketball games that same year.<ref name=Dallas /> He then went to [[NBC]] in 1992 to start his most widely famous run as an analyst, covering not only [[The NBA on NBC|the NBA]] from 1992 to the end of the network's coverage of the NBA in 2002, but also becoming the NBC's top college basketball analyst for its scarce college basketball coverage from 1993 to 1998, paired with mostly [[Don Criqui]] but sometimes also with [[Tom Hammond]] and [[Dick Enberg]]. After being loaned out by NBC to [[CBS]] to help with CBS's coverage of the 2001 NCAA Men's Basketball tournament,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/16/sports/tv-sports-a-kinder-gentler-walton-shows-up-at-st-joe-s-georgia-tech-game.html | title=TV SPORTS; A Kinder, Gentler Walton Shows up at St. Joe's-Georgia Tech Game | work=The New York Times | date=March 16, 2001 | last1=Sandomir | first1=Richard }}</ref> he would follow that up with a long run at [[The NBA on ESPN|ESPN]] and [[The NBA on ABC|ABC]] as one of their lead in-game and studio analysts from 2002 to 2009. Walton was infamously on the call with [[Mike Breen]] for [[The Malice at the Palace]], considered the worst brawl in NBA history, with even Walton, barely able to contain his disgust, calling it "a disgrace" on commentary.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-the-malice-at-the-palace-154145992.html | title=15 years later: Inside 'The Malice at the Palace' | date=November 19, 2019 }}</ref>

After 19 years working in broadcasting, he left ESPN in November 2009, as the result of back problems, which dated back to an injury he suffered in college at UCLA. Following surgery on his back, Walton returned to broadcasting as a part-time commentator for the [[Sacramento Kings]] for [[2010–2011 NBA season|2010–11]] and [[2011–12 NBA season|2011–12]]. In July 2012, [[ESPN]] and the [[Pac-12 Network]] announced that Walton would return to full-time broadcasting as a game analyst for [[Pac-12 conference]] basketball coverage.<ref name="Hiestand: Bill Walton talks about his return to ESPNt">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/story/2012-07-15/Hiestand-Bill-Walton-talks-about-his-return-to-ESPN/56238756/1 |title=Hiestand: Bill Walton talks about his return to ESPN |date=July 16, 2012 |work=USA Today |access-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-date=August 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810082319/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/story/2012-07-15/Hiestand-Bill-Walton-talks-about-his-return-to-ESPN/56238756/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Walton frequently worked alongside [[Dave Pasch]] while calling Pac-12 games. His commentary had been noted for his frequent use of catchphrases and [[hyperbole]]. This pairing lasted calling games until Walton's death. Walton also, for one last time, called a Los Angeles Clippers game with Ralph Lawler in celebration of Lawler's retirement from the industry.<ref>https://www.nba.com/news/ralph-lawler-and-bill-walton-clippers-call</ref> Walton typically was paired with [[Steve Jones (basketball)|Steve "Snapper" Jones]] for national NBA games because he and Jones had a point-counterpoint banter during games and a chemistry that earned them praise with critics.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Curtis|first1=Bryan|title=Bill Walton, Broadcasting Genius|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2002/06/bill_walton_broadcasting_genius.html|work=Slate|date=June 12, 2002|access-date=March 3, 2018|archive-date=March 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303165202/http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2002/06/bill_walton_broadcasting_genius.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton's 2003 TV series ''Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip'' aired on ESPN with Walton as subject and star.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/walton/|title=NBA.com: BILL WALTON'S LONG STRANGE TRIP|website=Nba.com|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=June 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625045500/http://www.nba.com/walton/|url-status=live}}</ref>

While broadcasting a game between the [[Oregon Ducks]] and [[USC Trojans]], Walton talked about a speech [[Bob Dylan]] gave at MusiCares, and [[ESPN]] had prepared graphics about Dylan's career highlights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/2/11/8023961/bill-walton-talked-about-bob-dylan-on-air-for-3-whole-minutes-of-a/in/7772850|title=Bill Walton talked about Bob Dylan on air for 3 whole minutes of a basketball game|author=Rodger Sherman|date=February 12, 2015|publisher=Vox Media|website=SBNation.com|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909000406/https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/2/11/8023961/bill-walton-talked-about-bob-dylan-on-air-for-3-whole-minutes-of-a/in/7772850|url-status=live}}</ref>

While broadcasting a Washington–Oregon January 2019 game with Dave Pasch, Walton mentioned he had appeared in the motion picture ''[[Ghostbusters]]''. ''Ghostbusters'' was filmed in 1984 and Pasch questioned Walton about his claim throughout the game as to the specifics of his appearance and character, but Walton refused to provide more details. Research validated Walton's claim.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/01/25/dogs-cats-living-together-bill-waltons-ghostbusters-claim-apparently-is-true/ Dogs and cats, living together: Bill Walton's 'Ghostbusters' claim apparently is true] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209022119/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/01/25/dogs-cats-living-together-bill-waltons-ghostbusters-claim-apparently-is-true/ |date=February 9, 2019 }}, ''[[The Washington Post]]''</ref><ref name="IMDb-2">{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/fullcredits|title=Ghostbusters (1984)|publisher=IMDb |access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407020916/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/fullcredits/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton hosted his own satellite radio show, ''One More Saturday Night'' (named after the Dead song [[One More Saturday Night (song)|of the same name]]), heard on [[Sirius Radio]]'s [[Jam On]] and [[XM Radio]]'s [[Grateful Dead]] channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Bill-Walton-hosts-Grateful-Dead-radio-show/44581102191399/|title=Bill Walton hosts Grateful Dead radio show|website=Upi.com|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221112630/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2004/12/04/Bill-Walton-hosts-Grateful-Dead-radio-show/44581102191399/?u3L=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2001, Walton received an [[Emmy Award]] for "Best Live Sports Television Broadcast". In 2018, he won the CoSIDA [[Dick Enberg]] Award.<ref name="Academicallamerica.com">{{cite web|url=https://academicallamerica.com/news/2018/5/3/dick-enberg-award-bill-walton.aspx|title=Bill Walton Selected for Distinguished CoSIDA Dick Enberg Award|website=Academicallamerica.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709164846/https://academicallamerica.com/news/2018/5/3/dick-enberg-award-bill-walton.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cassidyandfishman.com-2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.cassidyandfishman.com/speakers/bill-walton/|title=Bill Walton|date=August 27, 2015|website=Cassidyandfishman.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=March 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190319202642/http://www.cassidyandfishman.com/speakers/bill-walton/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
===Family===
[[File:Bill Walton 2022.jpg|thumb|left|Walton at the [[2022 NBA All-Star Game]]]]
Walton met his first wife, Susie, while they were attending UCLA and he was a sophomore.<ref name=papanek_10151979/><ref name=sandomir_05272024>{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Sandomir|title=Bill Walton, N.B.A. Hall of Famer and Broadcasting Star, Dies at 71|date=May 27, 2024|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/sports/basketball/bill-walton-dead.html|access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> They were married in 1979 and divorced in 1989.<ref name=papanek_10151979/><ref>{{cite news|first=Lisette|last=Hilton|title=Walton hit the boards|date=November 19, 2003|work=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/s/add_Walton_Bill.html|access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> They had four sons—Adam, Nathan, [[Luke Walton|Luke]], and Chris<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billwalton.com/bio|title=Biography|website=Billwalton.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=March 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310125904/http://www.billwalton.com/bio|url-status=live}}</ref>—who were all at least {{convert|6|ft|7|in}} tall and played basketball.<ref>{{cite news|first=William|last=Gildea|title=For the Waltons, Life Is a Ball|date=March 5, 2000|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/2000-03/05/129r-030500-idx.html?noredirect=on|access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> At the time of his death, Walton resided in his hometown of [[San Diego]] with his second wife, Lori Matsuoka (m. 1991).<ref name=sandomir_05272024/>
 
His son Luke became an NBA player, winning both the [[2009 NBA Finals|2009]] and [[2010 NBA Finals]] with the Lakers. The titles made Bill and Luke the first [[List of second-generation National Basketball Association players|NBA father-son pair]] to have both won multiple NBA championships.<ref>{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Norris|title=How Many Father-Son Combos Have Won NBA Championships?|date=June 17, 2022|work=Sportscasting|url=https://www.sportscasting.com/how-many-father-son-combos-have-won-nba-championships/|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605192447/https://www.sportscasting.com/how-many-father-son-combos-have-won-nba-championships/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Byron Scott and Luke Walton Join Time Warner Cable SportsNet|date=October 3, 2013|publisher=Los Angeles Lakers|url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/131003_scottwalton_twcsn|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-date=January 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126232742/https://www.nba.com/lakers/releases/131003_scottwalton_twcsn|url-status=live}}</ref> Luke was the head coach of the Lakers (2016–2019), after two years as an assistant for the [[Golden State Warriors]]. In April 2019, Luke Walton was named head coach of the [[Sacramento Kings]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltolu01.html|title=Luke Walton Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023230146/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/waltolu01.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/waltolu01c.html|title=Luke Walton|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120001649/https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/waltolu01c.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/luke-walton-introduced-head-coach-005623696.html|title=Luke Walton brings passion, 'same soul' as new coach of Vlade Divac's Kings|website=Sports.yahoo.com|date=April 16, 2019 |access-date=April 19, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419044935/https://sports.yahoo.com/luke-walton-introduced-head-coach-005623696.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Luke was named after Walton's friend and former teammate [[Maurice Lucas]]. "Maurice was so important in my life and in little Luke's life," Walton said. "Whenever there was a big moment for little Luke, big Luke would show up unannounced to make sure it all turned out right."<ref name="ocregister.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/walton-742096-luke-bike.html|title=Bill Walton feels lucky to have Blazers honor his 1977 NBA champs in front of Lakers, Luke Walton|date=January 24, 2017|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127172210/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/walton-742096-luke-bike.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Chris Walton played basketball for [[San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball|San Diego State]]. He is a real estate executive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Chris-Walton/Summary/9921|title=Chris Walton Player Profile, San Diego State, NCAA Stats, Game Logs, Bests, Awards – RealGM|website=Basketball.realgm.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726230955/https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Chris-Walton/Summary/9921|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://westarassociates.com/westar-associates-hires-walton-vice-president-leasing-retail-portfolio/|title=Westar Associates Hires Walton as Vice President of Leasing For Retail Portfolio|date=June 29, 2018|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729103228/https://westarassociates.com/westar-associates-hires-walton-vice-president-leasing-retail-portfolio/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nate Walton played basketball at [[Princeton Tigers men's basketball|Princeton]]. He entered the corporate world and earned his [[MBA]] from [[Stanford University]]'s [[Stanford Graduate School of Business|Graduate School of Business]]. Walton attended [[Stanford Law School]] starting in the fall of 1981 while with the Clippers but did not graduate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/07/27/Former-basketball-star-Bill-Walton-will-enroll-in-Stanford/4974365054400/|title=Former basketball star Bill Walton will enroll in Stanford|newspaper=UPI Archive|date=July 27, 1981|access-date=May 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/29/sports/walton-chooses-his-course.html|title=Walton Chooses His Course|newspaper=New York Times|date=January 29, 1983|access-date=May 29, 2024}}</ref>

Nate was on the ballot for the [[2003 California Recall]] election, receiving 1,697 votes. He has been highly successful in the oil business.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/from-hardwood-to-wall-street-a-hoops-legends-son-slam-dunks-an-oil-deal-1487327404|title=How Bill Walton's Son Nate Made $1 Billion In The Oil Patch|first=Ryan|last=Dezember|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=February 17, 2017|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709162140/https://www.wsj.com/articles/from-hardwood-to-wall-street-a-hoops-legends-son-slam-dunks-an-oil-deal-1487327404|url-status=live}}</ref>

Adam Walton played at [[LSU Tigers basketball|Louisiana State University]], [[Pomona College]] and the [[Notre Dame de Namur University|College of Notre Dame]] in [[Belmont, California]]. He was a college assistant coach at [[San Diego Mesa College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/adam-walton-1.html|title=Adam Walton College Stats|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727023659/https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/adam-walton-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gosdmesa.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/Adam_Walton?view=bio|title=Assistant Coach|website=Gosdmesa.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224152428/https://www.gosdmesa.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/Adam_Walton?view=bio|url-status=live}}</ref> Walton's other brother, [[Bruce Walton (American football)|Bruce Walton]], played in the [[National Football League]] with the [[Dallas Cowboys]] from 1973 to 1975. They were basketball teammates in high school. Bill followed Bruce in attending UCLA. Bruce played in [[Super Bowl X]], making Bill and Bruce the only brothers to play in the Super Bowl and NBA Finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shanahan.report/a/bruce-walton-on-his-brother-bill-and-football|title=Bruce Walton on his brother Bill and football|date=January 25, 2017|website=Shanahan.report|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=June 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610230418/http://shanahan.report/a/bruce-walton-on-his-brother-bill-and-football|url-status=live}}</ref> Walton's sister Cathy was a youth swimmer and played some basketball at the [[University of California]].<ref name="si.com"/>

===Friendships===
Walton maintained a close lifetime friendship with coach John Wooden, visiting him often. "Coach Wooden is the most influential person in my life outside of my mom and dad, but when we played for him, he was older than our parents, and we thought our parents were the oldest people on earth", Walton said. "So the things he taught us made no sense to us. We thought he was nuts, but when you're hot and when you're on top and it's all happening, you never think. We were so young and we had always won. So we had no real idea how fragile everything was. Everything that Coach Wooden told us eventually came true."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/12152|title=Bill Walton remembers his friend, coach|date=June 5, 2010|website=ESPN.com|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818213157/https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/12152|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite his opposition to Walton's protest activities, Wooden also one time bailed Walton out of jail after he was arrested during an anti-Vietnam War protest.<ref name=arrestandbail /> On Walton's desk sat a message to him from Coach Wooden: "To Bill Walton, it's the things you learn after you know it all that count. John Wooden."<ref name="ncaa.com"/>

Walton also considered himself a fan and friend of the writer [[Ken Kesey]]. In 2015, he made a visit to the Ken Kesey Collection while on a stop at the [[University of Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Basketball Legend Bill Walton and Kesey's Merry Pranksters Visit UO Libraries SCUA|url=http://library.uoregon.edu/node/4794|website=Library.uoregon.edu|access-date=February 5, 2015|archive-date=February 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206011501/http://library.uoregon.edu/node/4794|url-status=live}}</ref> His memoir, ''Back from the Dead: Searching for the Sound, Shining the Light and Throwing It Down'', was released by [[Simon & Schuster]] in March 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/bill-walton/back-from-the-dead-walton/|title=Back from the Dead by Bill Walton |work=[[Kirkus Reviews]] |access-date=June 22, 2016|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812091714/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/bill-walton/back-from-the-dead-walton/|url-status=live}}</ref> It remained on [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' bestseller list]] for two weeks in April 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/04/17/hardcover-nonfiction/|title=Hardcover Nonfiction Books – Best Sellers – Books – April 17, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=February 14, 2017|archive-date=January 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170127211347/http://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2016/04/17/hardcover-nonfiction/|url-status=live}}</ref> Walton, who had a service dog, wrote the foreword to the 2015 book ''[[Unconditional Honor|Unconditional Honor: Wounded Warriors and their Dogs]]'' by author [[Cathy Scott]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coronadonewsca.com/news/coronado_home_and_business/author-to-lecture-and-sign-book-about-wounded-warriors-and/article_1885673c-ecf5-11e4-b8e1-1fb10089ad00.html|title=Author To Lecture And Sign Book About Wounded Warriors And Their Dogs|work=coronadonewsca.com|date=April 27, 2015 |access-date=June 22, 2016|archive-date=October 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031045202/http://www.coronadonewsca.com/news/coronado_home_and_business/author-to-lecture-and-sign-book-about-wounded-warriors-and/article_1885673c-ecf5-11e4-b8e1-1fb10089ad00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/nba-legend-bill-waltons-career-advice-finish-start/story?id=37925263|title=NBA Legend Bill Walton's Career Advice: 'You Cannot Finish Unless You Start'|date=March 25, 2016|website=Abcnews.go.com|access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726234008/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/nba-legend-bill-waltons-career-advice-finish-start/story?id=37925263|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Grateful Dead fandom===
Walton was a fan of the [[Grateful Dead]], whose concerts he started attending in 1967, while he was still in high school.<ref name="varga">{{cite web |last1=Varga |first1=George |title=Bill Walton has seen the Dead 850+ times |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-bill-walton-chats-about-life-and-the-grateful-dead-2015jun27-htmlstory.html |website=Sandiegouniontribune.com |date=June 27, 2015 |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909000324/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sdut-bill-walton-chats-about-life-and-the-grateful-dead-2015jun27-htmlstory.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He attended more than 850 Grateful Dead concerts in his lifetime.<ref name="varga"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/how-the-grateful-dead-overcame-old-feuds-legal-spats-and-bad-vibes-for-the-hottest-ticket-of-the-summer/2015/06/12/18618064-0e7a-11e5-a0dc-2b6f404ff5cf_story.html|title=The strange story of Grateful Dead's path to the summer's hottest ticket|first=Geoff|last=Edgers|date=June 12, 2015|website=Washingtonpost.com|access-date=August 24, 2017|archive-date=January 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072759/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/how-the-grateful-dead-overcame-old-feuds-legal-spats-and-bad-vibes-for-the-hottest-ticket-of-the-summer/2015/06/12/18618064-0e7a-11e5-a0dc-2b6f404ff5cf_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Walton traveled with the band to [[Egypt]] for its [[Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978|1978 performances]] at the [[Giza pyramid complex]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hilton |first=Lisette |title=Walton hit the boards |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/news/story?page=add_Walton_Bill |publisher=ESPN |date=September 25, 2000 |access-date=November 1, 2008 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104201803/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/news/story?page=add_Walton_Bill |url-status=dead }}</ref> To fellow [[Deadheads]], Walton was fondly known as "Grateful Red" and the "Big Red Deadhead" and "World's Tallest Deadhead".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/grateful-red-bill-walton-shares-strange-journey/|title=Grateful Red Bill Walton Shares Strange Journey {{!}} the Official Site of the Phoenix Suns|website=Nba.com|language=en|access-date=February 20, 2018|archive-date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328041115/http://www.nba.com/suns/grateful-red-bill-walton-shares-strange-journey/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/basketball-legend-tall-deadhead-bill-walton-write-book-blog-entry-1.1639219|title=Basketball legend and very tall Deadhead Bill Walton to write a book|work=NY Daily News|access-date=February 20, 2018|archive-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220212204/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/pageviews/basketball-legend-tall-deadhead-bill-walton-write-book-blog-entry-1.1639219|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/worlds-tallest-deadhead-cant-contain-his-excitement/|title=World's tallest Deadhead can't contain his excitement|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|access-date=February 20, 2018|archive-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220152846/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/worlds-tallest-deadhead-cant-contain-his-excitement/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2001, Walton was inducted into The Grateful Dead Hall of Honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billwalton.com/espn-column-archive/grateful-dead|title=Grateful Dead Hall of Honor|last=Administrator|website=Billwalton.com|language=en-gb|access-date=February 20, 2018|archive-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220151823/http://www.billwalton.com/espn-column-archive/grateful-dead|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton wrote the liner notes for the Grateful Dead live albums ''[[Dave's Picks Volume 5]]'' in 2013 and ''[[Dave's Picks Volume 48]]'' in 2023, both of which feature concerts recorded at UCLA's [[Pauley Pavilion]] during Walton's tenure on the university's basketball team.<ref name=DavesPicks5>Collette, Doug (February 24, 2013). [http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=43970 ''Dave's Picks Volume 5''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524111845/http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=43970 |date=May 24, 2013 }}, [[All About Jazz]]. Retrieved April 26, 2013.</ref><ref name=DavesPicks48>{{cite web |first=Nate |last=Todd |date=October 17, 2023 |url=https://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-daves-picks-volume-41-bill-walton-ucla-pauley-pavilion-1971 |title=Grateful Dead 'Dave's Picks Volume 48' Features Bill Walton-Approved Pauley Pavilion Debut from 1971 |work=JamBase |access-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017221425/https://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-daves-picks-volume-41-bill-walton-ucla-pauley-pavilion-1971 |url-status=live }}</ref> Walton narrated ''Fire on the Mountain'', an [[action sports]] documentary featuring Grateful Dead songs, which aired on [[ESPN]] in October 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lopez |first1=Isabelle |title=ESPN to Air "Fire On The Mountain" on Wednesday, October 28 |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2020/10/espn-to-air-fire-on-the-mountain-on-wednesday-october-28/ |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |access-date=June 7, 2024 |date=October 26, 2020}}</ref>

Members of the Grateful Dead and its spin-off group [[Dead & Company]] paid tribute to Walton following his death. Grateful Dead drummer [[Mickey Hart]] wrote, "Bill was my best friend, the best friend I ever had. He was an amazing person, singular, irreplaceable, giving, loving. His love for our music was beyond description. He called himself the luckiest man in the world but it was us who were lucky—to know him, to share the adventure with him. He was the biggest Deadhead in the world and used our music as the soundtrack to his life."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Martoccio |first1=Angie |title=Grateful Dead Honor Bill Walton: 'Biggest Deadhead in the World' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bill-walton-grateful-dead-tribute-hart-weir-kreutzmann-1235028311/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=June 7, 2024 |date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> Dead & Company featured a memorial montage to Walton during a performance of "[[Fire on the Mountain (Grateful Dead song)|Fire on the Mountain]]" at their May 30, 2024, concert at the [[Sphere (venue)|Sphere]] in [[Paradise, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Post |first1=J.J. |title=Dead & Company salutes Bill Walton at Las Vegas concert |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40253135/dead-company-bill-walton |website=ESPN |access-date=June 7, 2024 |language=en |date=June 1, 2024}}</ref>

===Health and views===
Walton's [[ankle problems]] became so severe that he had both his ankles surgically fused.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=October 17, 2009 |title=NBA {{!}} Tearful Bill Walton apologizes to Portland fans |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/nba/nba-tearful-bill-walton-apologizes-to-portland-fans/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071113/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/nba/nba-tearful-bill-walton-apologizes-to-portland-fans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, he underwent an eight-hour spinal-fusion surgery. Two titanium rods and four four-inch bolts were inserted in his back. He could not walk to the hospital. After the successful surgery he was hospitalized for a week, and could not move freely for a year.<ref name="Powell-2014"/>
His saga of injury and failed rehabs was connected to the use of painkillers by the medical staff of the Trailblazers to keep players including Walton on court. Walton ended up suing team doctor Dr. Robert Cook for negligence in diagnosing and treating a foot injury suffered by Walton during the 1977–78 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trivic |first1=Filip |title=Why Bill Walton sued the Blazers medical staff |url=https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/why-bill-walton-sued-the-blazers-medical-staff |website=Basketball Network |date=February 17, 2021 |publisher=The Arena Group |access-date=February 17, 2021}}</ref> In a June 8, 2010, interview on ''[[The Dan Patrick Show]]'', Walton admitted to contemplating suicide for a time due to the constant pain resulting from injuries sustained during his NBA career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Walton talks about painful periods in life, Wooden, NBA finals|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/114541/ |access-date=June 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613133857/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/danpatrick/blog/114541/ |archive-date=June 13, 2010 }}</ref>

Walton's political beliefs were known for being radical.<ref name=beliefsanddivorce>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/magazine/bill-walton-s-inside-game.html|title=Bill Walton's Inside Game|first=Pat|last=Jordan|work=New York Times|date=May 27, 2024|accessdate=May 27, 2024|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309061802/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/28/magazine/bill-walton-s-inside-game.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During his time at UCLA, Walton was active in campus protests.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/05/27/bill-walton-was-as-brave-as-his-game-was-beautiful/|title=Walton was as brave as his game was beautiful|first=Mike|last=Lupica|work=New York Daily News|date=May 27, 2024|accessdate=May 27, 2024|archive-date=May 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527191915/https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/05/27/bill-walton-was-as-brave-as-his-game-was-beautiful/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was famously arrested during an anti-Vietnam War protest during his junior year at UCLA.<ref name=arrestandbail>{{cite news|url=https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/john-wooden-bailed-bill-walton-out-of-jail-when-he-was-studying-at-ucla|title=John Wooden bailed Bill Walton out of jail when he was studying at UCLA: "Protesting is not the right way"|first=Orel|last=Dizon|publisher=Basketball Network|date=May 27, 2024|accessdate=May 27, 2024|archive-date=October 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017225052/https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/john-wooden-bailed-bill-walton-out-of-jail-when-he-was-studying-at-ucla|url-status=live}}</ref> Walton, who spoke at [[Yippie]] leader [[Abbie Hoffman]]'s memorial service and funeral, acknowledged spending time with Hoffman when he was a fugitive in the late 1970s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/04/19/Peace-march-memorial-service-for-Abbie-Hoffman/4921608961600/|title=Peace march, memorial service for Abbie Hoffman|first=Kenneth R.|last=Bazinet|publisher=UPI|date=May 27, 2024|accessdate=May 27, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-20-mn-2279-story.html|title=Turbulent '60s Live Again at Funeral for Activist : Radicals, Friends Bid Hoffman Farewell|first=John J.|last=Goldman|work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 27, 2024|accessdate=May 27, 2024|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727024550/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-04-20-mn-2279-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Walton was known as a vegetarian and a meditation practitioner.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879294,00.html|date=February 25, 1974|title=Sport: Walton: Basketball's Vegetarian Tiger|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126154032/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879294,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Death===
Walton died from [[colorectal cancer]] at his home in San Diego, on May 27, 2024, at the age of 71.<ref name = Sandomir>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/sports/basketball/bill-walton-dead.html|title = Bill Walton, N.B.A. Hall of Famer and Broadcasting Star, Dies at 71|last = Sandomir |first = Richard |date = May 27, 2024 |access-date = May 28, 2024 |newspaper = [[The New York Times]] |url-access = limited |archive-date = May 28, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240528013731/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/27/sports/basketball/bill-walton-dead.html |url-status =live}}</ref><ref name="ESPN.com-2024">{{cite web |date=May 27, 2024 |title=Hall of Famer Bill Walton, 71, dies of cancer |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40229031/nba-champion-hall-famer-bill-walton-dies-71 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527173338/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40229031/nba-champion-hall-famer-bill-walton-dies-71 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5420854/2024/05/27/bill-walton-obituary/ |title=Bill Walton, one of basketball's most eccentric characters, dies at 71 |date=May 27, 2024 |last=Quick |first=Jason |work=[[The Athletic]] |access-date=May 27, 2024 |quote=Bill Walton, a Hall of Fame center who authored a career that was triumphant and tragic, as well as colorful and controversial, died Monday at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer, the NBA announced. |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527195454/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5420854/2024/05/27/bill-walton-obituary/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/statement-dr-james-weber-ceo-141700262.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAN7mdY-lxjkSNb5NaZ2jeHkvPq1GnF6xcH8NOJFpgjgyyG-MjOetSJQCLj0MlvRPTwvGCzFnPT_jld4O9jiWphB08Rlly9vyEWQMOPNUBPLgFpaeFFW48OeY_76yDI5heWdhGfqpQyEt-2WxW37dfBOFVLcL3aDeOchR2XdwpK8K/ |title=Statement from Dr. James Weber, CEO of GI Alliance, on the passing of basketball legend Bill Walton |date=May 30, 2024 |website=finance.yanoo.com |access-date=May 30, 2024 }}</ref>

A moment of silence was held in Walton's memory before Game 1 of the [[2024 NBA Finals|subsequent NBA Finals]] on June 6 at TD Garden between the Celtics and the [[Dallas Mavericks]]. Walton's family was in attendance, and the Celtics players wore black shooting shirts bearing Walton's name with a tie-dye background while their jerseys had a black band with his name on the shoulder. Celtics team staff wore pins with a similar Walton in tie-dye.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Golen |first1=Jimmy |title=Celtics pay tribute to 1986 champion Bill Walton before Game 1 of the NBA Finals |url=https://www.nba.com/news/celtics-bill-walton-tribute-nba-finals |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=June 7, 2024 |date=June 6, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Walton had cameo appearances in the films ''88 and 1'', ''[[Celtic Pride]]'', ''[[Little Nicky]]'', ''[[Forget Paris]]'' and ''[[Semi-Pro]]'', and appeared as Sven the Wise in the 2011 Capital One Visigoth SportsNet commercials.<ref name="IMDb-1">{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0910476/|title=Bill Walton|website=IMDb.com|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=June 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615033112/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0910476/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton appeared in the 1984 motion picture ''[[Ghostbusters]]''.<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/><ref name="IMDb-2"/> He lent his voice to video games ''[[NBA 2K5]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/entertainment/local/2005/01/26/espn-nba-2k5/52431679007/|title=ESPN NBA 2K5|website=New Bedford Standard-Times|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-date=May 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071104/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/entertainment/local/2005/01/26/espn-nba-2k5/52431679007/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[NBA ShootOut 2004]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nba-shootout-2004-review/1900-6077961/|title=NBA ShootOut 2004 Review|access-date=May 27, 2024|archive-date=April 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416095530/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nba-shootout-2004-review/1900-6077961/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton appeared in the premiere of the third season in the reality TV show ''[[Shark Tank]]'' on January 20, 2012, where he helped to sell the "Clean Bottle", a water bottle that unscrews at both ends for easier cleaning.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2018/10/22/clean-bottle-looks-be-acquired|title=Clean Bottle looks to be acquired|website=Bicycleretailer.com|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=October 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023030324/https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2018/10/22/clean-bottle-looks-be-acquired|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-goldman-alum-who-got-basketball-legend-bill-walton-to-be-his-companys-biggest-fan-2012-1|title=Meet The Goldman Alum Who Got Basketball Legend Bill Walton To Become His Company's 'Biggest' Fan|first=Julia La|last=Roche|website=Businessinsider.com|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726231929/https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-goldman-alum-who-got-basketball-legend-bill-walton-to-be-his-companys-biggest-fan-2012-1|url-status=live}}</ref>

Walton appeared in the music video for the song "[[Swish Swish]]" by pop musician [[Katy Perry]] featuring rapper [[Nicki Minaj]]. He played a color commentator alongside fellow broadcaster [[Rich Eisen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/katy-perry-swish-swish-video-cameos-7941788/|title=Here Are All the Cameos From Katy Perry's 'Swish Swish' Music Video|first=Sadie|last=Bell|website=Billboard.com|access-date=May 30, 2023|date=August 24, 2017}}</ref>

Walton was seen attending the ''50 Summers of Love'' concert starring [[Mark Lindsay]], [[Micky Dolenz]], and [[The Fab Four (tribute)|The Fab Four]] on July 14th, 2017 in [[San Diego]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-15 |title=Hall of Fame basketball legend Bill Walton attends opening night of... |url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/hall-of-fame-basketball-legend-bill-walton-attends-opening-news-photo/814825158 |access-date=2025-08-24 |website=Getty Images |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Awards==
[[File:Curtis Rowe and Bill Walton.jpeg|right|thumb|Walton guarding the Pistons' [[Curtis Rowe]] in 1976]]

===NBA===
* 2× [[NBA champion]] ({{nbafy|1977}}, {{nbafy|1986}})<ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />
* [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] (1977)<ref name="espn.com2"/>
* [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]] ({{nbay|1977|end}})<ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />
* 2× [[NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1977}}, {{nasg|1978}})<ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />
* [[All-NBA First Team]] ({{nbay|1977|end}})<ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />
* [[All-NBA Second Team]] (1977)<ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />
* 2× [[NBA All-Defensive First Team]] (1977, 1978)<ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />
* [[NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award|NBA Sixth Man of the Year]] ({{nbay|1985|end}})<ref name="basketball-reference.com1" />
* [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History]]<ref name=top50/>
* [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team]]<ref name=top75/>

===College===
* 2× [[List of NCAA Men's Division I Basketball champions|NCAA champion]] ([[1972 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1972]]–[[1973 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1973]])<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>
* 2× [[NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player]] (1972, 1973)<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>
* 3× [[Naismith College Player of the Year]] (1972–1974)<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>
* 3× [[Oscar Robertson Trophy|USBWA Player of the Year]] (1972–1974)<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>
* 3× [[Adolph Rupp Trophy]] (1972–1974)<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>
* 3× [[Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year|Helms Foundation College Player of the Year]] (1972, 1973, 1974)<ref name="1974HelmsPotYThompsonWalton">{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=April 3, 2023 |title=Thompson, Walton Honored by CSAF |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-thompson-walton/137599862/ |work=The Times and Democrat |place=Los Angeles |publication-place=Orangeburg, South Carolina |access-date=December 28, 2023 |page=14A |quote=David Thompson of North Carolina State and Bill Walton of UCLA were named college basketball Players of the Year Wednesday by the Citizens Savings Athletic Foundation. It was the third consecutive year Walton was cited. |archive-date=December 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229073747/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-thompson-walton/137599862/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 3× [[Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year|''Sporting News'' College Player of the Year]] (1972–1974)<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>
* 2× [[Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year|AP College Player of the Year]] (1972, 1973)<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>
* 3× Consensus first-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] ([[1972 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1972]]–[[1974 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1974]])<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>
* 3× First-team [[List of All-Pacific-12 Conference men's basketball teams|All-Pac-8]] (1972–1974)<ref name="sports-reference.com1"/>

===Broadcasting===
* Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association's award for "Best Television Analyst/Commentator" (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000)<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA SUPERSTAR BILL WALTON JOINS OUR "EAST COUNTY FEST" AUGUST 25—AND DONATES SPORTS MEMORABILIA FOR OUR AUCTION {{!}} East County Magazine |url=https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/nba-superstar-bill-walton-joins-our-%E2%80%9Ceast-county-fest%E2%80%9D-august-25-and-donates-sports-memorabilia-our |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=www.eastcountymagazine.org |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527214401/https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/nba-superstar-bill-walton-joins-our-%E2%80%9Ceast-county-fest%E2%80%9D-august-25-and-donates-sports-memorabilia-our |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="calsportshof">{{Cite web |title=Bill Walton : California Sports Hall of Fame |url=https://californiasportshalloffame.org/inductees/bill-walton/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=californiasportshalloffame.org |archive-date=November 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103124305/https://californiasportshalloffame.org/inductees/bill-walton/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Emmy Award]] for "Best Live Sports Television Broadcast" (2001)<ref name="Cassidyandfishman.com-2015"/>
* CoSIDA [[Dick Enberg]] Award (2018)<ref name="Academicallamerica.com"/><ref name="Cassidyandfishman.com-2015"/>

==Honors==
* No. 32 [[Portland Trail Blazers#Retired numbers|retired by Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Freeman |first=Joe |date=November 3, 2011 |title=Trail Blazers history: Retiring Bill Walton's No. 32 and honoring the inaugural 1970 team |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2011/11/trail_blazers_history_retiring.html |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=oregonlive |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528072118/https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2011/11/trail_blazers_history_retiring.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* No. 32 [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball retired numbers|retired by UCLA]] in 1990.<ref name="ESPN.com-2024"/>
* Walton was the 1973 recipient of the [[James E. Sullivan Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aausullivan.org/|title=AAU Sullivan Award|website=Aausullivan.org|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=March 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307165757/http://www.aausullivan.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Walton was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uclabruins.com/sports/2013/7/3/208580962.aspx|title=UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame Members|website=UCLA|access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=June 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611021837/http://uclabruins.com/sports/2013/7/3/208580962.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In 1990, Walton was inducted by the [[San Diego Hall of Champions]] into the Breitbard Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |title=San Diego Hall of Champions » Bill Walton |url=http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/basketball/bill-walton/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103153636/http://www.sdhoc.com/awards/hall-of-fame/basketball/bill-walton/ |archive-date=January 3, 2009 |website=San Diago Hall of Champions |access-date=October 22, 2018 |url-status=usurped |date=January 3, 2009}}</ref>
* In 1991, Walton was the recipient of the [[National Basketball Players Association|NBPA]] Oscar Robertson Leadership Award.<ref name="outstandingNaismith">{{Cite web |title=C. Vivian Stringer and Bill Walton Named 2024 Naismith Outstanding Contributors to Basketball Award Winners {{!}} Naismith Awards |date=December 7, 2023 |url=https://naismithtrophy.com/c-vivan-stringer-and-bill-walton-named-2024-naismith-outstanding-contributors-to-basketball-award-winners/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527212817/https://naismithtrophy.com/c-vivan-stringer-and-bill-walton-named-2024-naismith-outstanding-contributors-to-basketball-award-winners/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Walton was inducted into the [[Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/bill-walton/|title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Bill Walton|website=Hoophall.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224072612/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/bill-walton|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In 1993, Walton was inducted into the [[Oregon Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oregonsportshall.org/timeline/bill-walton-basketball/|title=Bill Walton – Basketball &#124; Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum|website=Oregonsportshall.org|date=November 8, 2018 |access-date=October 25, 2021|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224100845/http://oregonsportshall.org/timeline/bill-walton-basketball/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In 1994, Walton was voted into the Verizon Academic All-American Hall of Fame.<ref name="a-speakers.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.a-speakers.com/speakers/bill-walton-keynote-speaker/|title=Speaker Bill Walton &#124; Basketball Legend, Broadcaster & Humanitarian|website=A-speakers.com|access-date=October 25, 2021|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512203945/https://www.a-speakers.com/speakers/bill-walton-keynote-speaker/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Walton was inducted into the [[National High School Hall of Fame]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nfhs.org/resources/hall-of-fame/inductees-by-state/|title=Inductees by State|website=Nfhs.org|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035023/https://www.nfhs.org/resources/hall-of-fame/inductees-by-state/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Walton was the inaugural inductee into the Grateful Dead Hall of Honor in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailybruin.com/2001/08/19/grateful-dead-show-gratitude-t/|title=Grateful Dead show gratitude to Bill Walton|website=Dailybruin.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=August 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817120627/https://dailybruin.com/2001/08/19/grateful-dead-show-gratitude-t|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Walton received the NBA Retired Players Association Humanitarian Award in 2002.<ref name="a-speakers.com"/>
* In 2006, Walton was inducted into the [[National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame]]. 
* In 2009, he was named one of the "top 50 sportscasters of all time" by the [[American Sportscasters Association]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASA's Top 50 Sportscasters of Alll Time |url=http://www.americansportscastersonline.com/top50sportscasters.html |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=American Sportscasters Association |archive-date=August 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805222509/http://www.americansportscastersonline.com/top50sportscasters.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In 2010, Walton was inducted into the [[California Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref name="calsportshof"/>
* A bronze statue of Walton was unveiled at Ski Beach Park in San Diego, California's [[Mission Bay (San Diego)|Mission Bay]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cali-strong.com/ucla-bruin-legend-bill-walton-gets-statue-san-diego-park/|title=UCLA Bruin legend Bill Walton gets statue at San Diego Park|first=Gideon|last=Lupine|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=July 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709132504/https://www.cali-strong.com/ucla-bruin-legend-bill-walton-gets-statue-san-diego-park/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Walton was inducted into the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]] Alumni Hall of Fame in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bgca.org/about-us/alumni-hall-of-fame/bill-walton|title=BGCA – Bill Walton|website=Bgca.org|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727002011/https://www.bgca.org/about-us/alumni-hall-of-fame/bill-walton|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The gymnasium at the Boys and Girls Club in [[Santee, California]], near San Diego, was named in his honor in 2018. The Bill Walton Gymnasium is located inside the 26,000-square-foot Brady Family Clubhouse.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2018/10/04/native-la-mesan-hall-of-famer-bill-walton-has-gymnasium-named-after-him/|title=Native La Mesan, Hall of Famer Bill Walton has Gymnasium Named After Him|last=Alexander Nguyen|date=October 5, 2018|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726231141/https://timesofsandiego.com/sports/2018/10/04/native-la-mesan-hall-of-famer-bill-walton-has-gymnasium-named-after-him/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Walton was the recipient of the 2024 [[Naismith Award|Naismith]] Outstanding Contributors to Men's Basketball Award.<ref name="outstandingNaismith"/>

==Career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y|leader=y}}

===NBA===

====Regular season====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1974}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974–75 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 35 || {{sort|-|—}} || 32.9 || .513 || {{sort|-|—}} || .686 || 12.6 || 4.8 || .8 || 2.7 || 12.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1975}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975–76 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 51 || {{sort|-|—}} || 33.1 || .471 || {{sort|-|—}} || .583 || 13.4 || 4.3 || '''1.0''' || 1.6 || 16.1
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|1976}}†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 65 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''34.8''' || .528 || {{sort|-|—}} || .697 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''14.4'''* || 3.8 || '''1.0''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|3.2* || 18.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1977}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977–78 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 58 || {{sort|-|—}} || 33.3 || .522 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.720''' || 13.2 || '''5.0''' || '''1.0''' || 2.5 || '''18.9'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1979}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979–80 San Diego Clippers season|San Diego]]
| 14 || {{sort|-|—}} || 24.1 || .503 || {{sort|-|—}} || .593 || 9.0 || 2.4 || .6 || 2.7 || 13.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1982}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1982–83 San Diego Clippers season|San Diego]]
| 33 || 32 || 33.3 || .528 || {{sort|-|—}} || .556 || 9.8 || 3.6 || '''1.0''' || '''3.6''' || 14.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1983}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1983–84 San Diego Clippers season|San Diego]]
| 55 || '''46''' || 26.8 || .556 || .000 || .597 || 8.7 || 3.3 || .8 || 1.6 || 12.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1984}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1984–85 Los Angeles Clippers season|L.A. Clippers]]
| 67 || 37 || 24.6 || .521 || .000 || .680 || 9.0 || 2.3 || .7 || 2.1 || 10.1
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|1985}}†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1985–86 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| '''80''' || 2 || 19.3 || '''.562''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .713 || 6.8 || 2.1 || .5 || 1.3 || 7.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1986}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1986–87 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 10 || 0 || 11.2 || .385 || {{sort|-|—}} || .533 || 3.1 || .9 || .1 || 1.0 || 2.8
|- class=sortbottom
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 468 || 117 || 28.3 || .521 || .000 || .660 || 10.5 || 3.4 || .8 || 2.2 || 13.3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star
| 1 || 1 || 31.0 || .429 || {{sort|-|—}} || 1.000 || 10.0 || 2.0 || 3.0 || 2.0 || 15.0
|- class=sortbottom
!scope=row colspan=13 style="text-align: center;" | '''Source:'''<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/>
{{s-end}}

====Playoffs====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|[[1977 NBA playoffs|1977]]†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| '''19''' || {{sort|-|—}} || '''39.7''' || .507 || {{sort|-|—}} || .684 || '''15.2''' || '''5.5''' || 1.1 || '''3.4''' || '''18.2'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1978 NBA playoffs|1978]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977–78 Portland Trail Blazers season|Portland]]
| 2 || {{sort|-|—}} || 24.5 || '''.611''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .714 || 11.0 || 2.0 || '''1.5''' || 1.5 || 13.5
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|[[1986 NBA playoffs|1986]]†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1985–86 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 16 || 0 || 18.2 || .581 || .000 || '''.826''' || 6.4 || 1.7 || .4 || .8 || 7.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1987 NBA playoffs|1987]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1986–87 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 12 || 0 || 8.5 || .480 || {{sort|-|—}} || .357 || 2.6 || .8 || .3 || .3 || 2.4
|- class=sortbottom
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 49 || 0 || 24.4 || .525 || .000 || .673 || 9.1 || 3.0 || .7 || 1.7 || 10.8
|- class=sortbottom
!scope=row colspan=13 style="text-align: center;" | '''Source:'''<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/>
{{s-end}}

===College===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1971–72 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1971–72]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1971–72 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team|UCLA]]
| '''30''' || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .640 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.704''' || 15.5 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || '''21.1'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1972–73 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1972–73]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1972–73 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team|UCLA]]
| '''30''' || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .650 || {{sort|-|—}} || .569 || '''16.9''' || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 20.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[1973–74 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1973–74]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1973–74 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team|UCLA]]
| 27 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.665''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .580 || 14.7 || '''5.5''' || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 87 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .651 || {{sort|-|—}} || .642 || 15.7 || 5.5 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 20.3
{{s-end}}

==Filmography==
=== Film ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope=row| 1984
| ''[[Ghostbusters]]''
| 
| Uncredited cameo
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Holroyd |first=Caitlyn |date=January 26, 2019 |title=Bill Walton reveals he made cameo in original 'Ghostbusters' |url=https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1705499 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=theScore.com |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071105/https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1705499 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Boren |first=Cindy |date=May 27, 2024 |title=Basketball games called by Bill Walton were a real trip |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05/27/bill-walton-nba-basketball-broadcaster/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071617/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/05/27/bill-walton-nba-basketball-broadcaster/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1995
| ''[[Forget Paris]]''
| Bill Walton (self)
| 
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Asher |first=Matthew |title=Need a sports fix? Here are 11 great basketball movies to see during coronavirus quarantine |url=https://www.currentargus.com/story/sports/2020/04/15/coronavirus-11-great-basketball-movies-watch-while-quarantined/5136850002/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Carlsbad Current-Argus |language=en-US |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402093233/https://www.currentargus.com/story/sports/2020/04/15/coronavirus-11-great-basketball-movies-watch-while-quarantined/5136850002/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1996
| ''[[Celtic Pride]]''
| Bill Walton (self)
|
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2020 |title=Best basketball movies to watch while the NBA season is halted by the coronavirus |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/best-basketball-movies-to-watch-while-the-nba-season-is-halted-by-the-coronavirus/332782/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=NBC Sports Boston |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071608/https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/best-basketball-movies-to-watch-while-the-nba-season-is-halted-by-the-coronavirus/332782/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1997
| ''[[The 6th Man]]''
| Bill Walton (self)
|
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=By |date=March 28, 1997 |title='Sixth Man' bounces with ghostly fun Movie review: With moments that'll have you thinking 'flubber,' a hard-working basketball team pulls some fast moves on its way to the NCAA championships. |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/03/28/sixth-man-bounces-with-ghostly-fun-movie-review-with-moments-thatll-have-you-thinking-flubber-a-hard-working-basketball-team-pulls-some-fast-moves-on-its-way-to-the-ncaa-championships/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071610/https://www.baltimoresun.com/1997/03/28/sixth-man-bounces-with-ghostly-fun-movie-review-with-moments-thatll-have-you-thinking-flubber-a-hard-working-basketball-team-pulls-some-fast-moves-on-its-way-to-the-ncaa-championships/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1998
| ''[[He Got Game]]''
| Bill Walton (self)
| Cameo
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Frey |first=Titan |date=November 29, 2021 |title=He Got Game: The Story Of How Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, And Others Almost Won The Role Of Jesus Shuttlesworth Over Ray Allen |url=https://fadeawayworld.net/he-got-game-the-story-of-how-kobe-bryant-tracy-mcgrady-and-others-almost-won-the-role-of-jesus-shuttlesworth-over-ray-allen |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Fadeaway World |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071611/https://fadeawayworld.net/he-got-game-the-story-of-how-kobe-bryant-tracy-mcgrady-and-others-almost-won-the-role-of-jesus-shuttlesworth-over-ray-allen |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2000
| ''[[Little Nicky]]''
| Bill Walton (self)
| 
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hough |first=Quinn |date=December 5, 2020 |title=Little Nicky Cast: Every Cameo In The Adam Sandler Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/little-nicky-movie-cast-character-cameos-guide/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730121510/https://screenrant.com/little-nicky-movie-cast-character-cameos-guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=May 27, 2024 |title=Bill Walton, NBA Great and Beloved Commentator, Dead at 71 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/bill-walton-nba-dead-obituary-1235028225/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527204019/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/bill-walton-nba-dead-obituary-1235028225/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2009
| ''Who Shot Mamba?''
| Kelli Sherman
| Digital release
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2009 |title=Q&A: Who Shot Mamba? |url=https://www.slamonline.com/slam-tv/qa-who-shot-mamba/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=SLAM |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071610/https://www.slamonline.com/slam-tv/qa-who-shot-mamba/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2012
| ''[[The Other Dream Team]]''
|Bill Walton (self)
|Documentary about the [[Lithuania men's national basketball team]] at the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1992 Summer Olympics]].
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title=The Other Dream Team |url=https://www.netflix.com/title/70229271 |website=[[Netflix]] |access-date=19 September 2025}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2018
| ''[[Uncle Drew]]''
| Bill Walton (self)
| 
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Rodger |date=June 29, 2018 |title=Ranking NBA and WNBA Players' Acting Performances in 'Uncle Drew' |url=https://www.theringer.com/movies/2018/6/29/17518168/uncle-drew-nba-player-acting-rankings |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=The Ringer |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327193159/https://www.theringer.com/movies/2018/6/29/17518168/uncle-drew-nba-player-acting-rankings |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Powers |first=Shad |title='Uncle Drew' has more makes than misses. It's worth a basketball fan's time |url=https://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/2018/06/29/uncle-drew-has-more-makes-than-misses-nba-stars-give-solid-effort/746998002/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=The Desert Sun |language=en-US |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608150129/https://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/2018/06/29/uncle-drew-has-more-makes-than-misses-nba-stars-give-solid-effort/746998002/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2018
| ''Fire on the Mountain''
| ''Narrator''
| Short film
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |last=Lopez |first=Isabelle |date=October 26, 2020 |title=ESPN to Air "Fire On The Mountain" on Wednesday, October 28 |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2020/10/espn-to-air-fire-on-the-mountain-on-wednesday-october-28/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=ESPN Press Room U.S. |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717214939/https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2020/10/espn-to-air-fire-on-the-mountain-on-wednesday-october-28/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2023
| ''The Luckiest Guy in the World''
| ''Subject''
| ESPN [[30 for 30]] – [[List of 30 for 30 films#Volume IV|Volume IV: 123]]
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |last=Koo |first=Ben |date=June 6, 2023 |title=Bill Walton 30 for 30 "The Luckiest Guy in the World" delivers quality long-form storytelling on very complicated and worthy subject |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/bill-walton-30-for-30-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world.html |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218224129/https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/bill-walton-30-for-30-the-luckiest-guy-in-the-world.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope=row| 1979
| ''[[The American Sportsman]]''
| Bill Walton (self)
| "Bill meets Viola" aired April 21, 1979, shot in the Philippines 
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Courier Express 7 March 1979 — The NYS Historic Newspapers |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=coe19790307-01.1.43&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN---------- |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=nyshistoricnewspapers.org |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071611/https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=coe19790307-01.1.43&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN---------- |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 18, 1979 |title=Complete Television Guide with Weekly Movies, Sports |url=https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/116846 |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2024 |work=[[The Western Star (Ohio)|The Western Star]] |location=Lebanon, OH |pages=49 |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528071613/https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll84/id/116846}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1993
| ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]''
| ''Contestant''
| Season 10, Episode 165: "Final Friday" (aired May 7, 1993); winner of $63,924 (including value of Paris vacation and car) for the [[Rex Foundation]] and Ex-NBA Players Association. 
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{citation |title=Wheel Of Fortune (May 7, 1993) |url=http://archive.org/details/WheelOfFortuneMay71993 |access-date=May 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=andynwof |date=May 3, 2020 |title=WoF Retro Recap: May 7, 1993 — Friday Finals |url=https://andynwof.wordpress.com/2020/05/02/wof-retro-recap-may-7-1993-friday-finals/ |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=WHEEL of FORTUNE with Andy Nguyen |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528072116/https://andynwof.wordpress.com/2020/05/02/wof-retro-recap-may-7-1993-friday-finals/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=andynwof |date=May 3, 2020 |title=WoF Retro Recap: May 6, 1993 |url=https://andynwof.wordpress.com/2020/05/02/wof-retro-recap-may-6-1993/ |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=WHEEL of FORTUNE with Andy Nguyen |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528072115/https://andynwof.wordpress.com/2020/05/02/wof-retro-recap-may-6-1993/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1997
| ''[[The Jeff Foxworthy Show]]''
| Lester Ligget
| Season 2, Episode 23: "Field of Schemes"
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Lester Ligget – The Jeff Foxworthy Show {{!}} TVmaze |url=https://www.tvmaze.com/characters/985453/the-jeff-foxworthy-show-lester-ligget |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=www.tvmaze.com |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528072621/https://www.tvmaze.com/characters/985453/the-jeff-foxworthy-show-lester-ligget |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Pierce |first=Liam Daniel |date=January 25, 2019 |title=Bill Walton Was in the Original 'Ghostbusters' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/bill-walton-was-in-the-original-ghostbusters/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Vice |archive-date=March 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306102025/https://www.vice.com/en/article/evedwe/bill-walton-was-in-the-original-ghostbusters |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1997
|''[[The Sentinel (TV series)|The Sentinel]]''
|Bill Walton (self)
|Season 3, Episode 2: "Three Point Shot"
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Episode Guide for The Sentinel |url=https://www.kelesa.net/transcripts/ts-epguide.htm |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=www.kelesa.net |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516155548/http://www.kelesa.net/transcripts/ts-epguide.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1997
|''[[Pacific Blue (TV series)|Pacific Blue]]''
|Bill Walton (self)
|Season 3, Episode 6: "Sandman"
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Episode 306 – "Sandman" {{!}} Pacific Blue |url=https://pacificblue.com/?page_id=569 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420101335/http://pacificblue.com/?page_id=569 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 1999
|''[[Snoops (1999 TV series)|Snoops]]''
|Cop
|Season 1, Episode 4: "Higher Calling"
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title=Snoops (1999) S1 – Garn's Guides |url=https://garnsguides.com/shows/snoops-1st.html |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=garnsguides.com |archive-date=October 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004122239/https://garnsguides.com/shows/snoops-1st.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2001
|''[[Inside Schwartz]]''
|Bill Walton (self)
|Season 1, Episode 1: "Pilot"
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |last=Oxman |first=Steven |date=September 23, 2001 |title=Inside Schwartz |url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/features/inside-schwartz-1200469819/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510065757/http://variety.com/2001/tv/features/inside-schwartz-1200469819/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2002
|''[[One on One (American TV series)|One on One]]''
|Bill Walton (self)
|Season 1, Episode 22: "He Got Game... Again"
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |date=May 20, 2002 |title=He Got Game ... Again – One on One (Season 1, Episode 22) |url=https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/he-got-game--again/umc.cmc.2jb3au855987dze8ljb4j44i3?showId=umc.cmc.r1lo1h9vknucge848phi3yfl |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Apple TV |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528072619/https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/he-got-game--again/umc.cmc.2jb3au855987dze8ljb4j44i3?showId=umc.cmc.r1lo1h9vknucge848phi3yfl |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2003
| ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]''
| ''Contestant''
| Season 21, Episode 51: "NBA Week 1" (aired November 27, 2003); paired winning of $6,000 with $10,000 donation to NBA Retired Players Association.
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |last=andynwof |date=June 28, 2023 |title=WoF Retro Recap: November 17, 2003 |url=https://andynwof.wordpress.com/2023/06/28/wof-retro-recap-november-17-2003/ |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=WHEEL of FORTUNE with Andy Nguyen |language=en |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628220545/https://andynwof.wordpress.com/2023/06/28/wof-retro-recap-november-17-2003/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 17, 2003 |title=Walton: Tuning into the sounds of silence |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=walton_bill&id=1663797 |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528072620/https://www.espn.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=walton_bill&id=1663797 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bechtel |first=Mark |title=The Week Ahead What To Watch And Watch For |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2003/11/17/the-week-ahead-what-to-watch-and-watch-for |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528073130/https://vault.si.com/vault/2003/11/17/the-week-ahead-what-to-watch-and-watch-for |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2004
|''[[Less than Perfect]]''
|Bill Walton (self)
|Season 2, Episode 15: "Live Stinks (Sometimes)"
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |last=admin |date=February 5, 2004 |title=Actual planned TV stunts {{!}} The Journal Record |url=https://journalrecord.com/2004/02/actual-planned-tv-stunts/ |access-date=May 27, 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528073133/https://journalrecord.com/2004/02/actual-planned-tv-stunts/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2005
| ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]''
| ''Contestant''
| Season 23, Episode 36: "NBA Week 1" (aired October 31, 2005); paired winning of $5,000 with $10,000 donation to [[American Red Cross]] and NBA Retired Players Association.
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |last=andynwof |date=June 5, 2022 |title=WoF Retro Recap: Halloween 2005 |url=https://andynwof.wordpress.com/2022/06/04/wof-retro-recap-halloween-2005/ |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=WHEEL of FORTUNE with Andy Nguyen |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616194727/https://andynwof.wordpress.com/2022/06/04/wof-retro-recap-halloween-2005/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 13, 2005 |title=NBA, WNBA stars to spin 'Wheel' for Katrina relief |url=https://www.espn.ph/nba/news/story?id=2160235 |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528073141/https://www.espn.ph/nba/news/story?id=2160235 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2012
| ''[[Shark Tank]]''
| ''Himself''
| Season 3, Episode 1 - Walton helped triathlete Dave Mayer pitch The Clean Bottle, a water bottle which unscrews at the bottom as well as the top to make it easier to keep clean.
| <ref>{{cite web | title=Whatever Happened to the Clean Bottle After Shark Tank? | date=October 18, 2022 | url=https://www.looper.com/1059914/whatever-happened-to-the-clean-bottle-after-shark-tank/}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row| 2021
|''[[American Dad!]]''
|Bill Walton (voice)
|Season 16, Episode 4: "Shakedown Steve"
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web |title='American Dad' Airs Phish-Themed Episode |url=https://www.jambase.com/article/american-dad-phish-episode |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=JamBase |language=en-US |archive-date=June 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615123255/https://www.jambase.com/article/american-dad-phish-episode |url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

==Works==

===Books===
* {{Cite book |last1=Walton |first1=Bill |last2=Wojciechowski |first2=Gene |date=1994 |title=Nothing but Net: Just Give Me the Ball and Get out of the Way |location=New York |publisher=Hyperion |isbn=978-1-56282-793-9}}
* {{Cite book |last=Walton |first=Bill |date=2016 |title=Back from the Dead |location=New York |publisher=Simon & Schuster |isbn=978-1-4767-1686-2}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Basketball|Biography|Sports}}
* [[List of NBA annual rebounding leaders]]
* [[List of NBA annual blocks leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career playoff rebounding leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Heisler |first=Mark |year=2003 |title=Giants: The 25 Greatest Centers of All Time |location=Chicago |publisher=Triumph Books |isbn=1-57243-577-1}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Basketballstats|nba=78450|bbr=w/waltobi01}}
* {{Official website|http://www.billwalton.com}}
* [http://www.nba.com/history/players/walton_bio.html Walton's historical profile on NBA.com]

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