Hall of Fame basketball legend Bill Walton dies at 71
Walton won two college national championships and two NBA titles during his career
The world of basketball has lost one of its most colorful characters. Hall of Fame basketball legend Bill Walton has died at 71, the NBA announced Monday, after battling cancer in recent years, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Walton had a renowned college career at UCLA under iconic coach John Wooden. During his career in Westwood, the 6-foot-11 center won two national championships (in 1972-73) and three national college player of the year awards, and was a three-time All-American. His teams only lost four games in his three seasons as a varsity player, going 86–4 overall.
His success continued in the NBA. The No. 1 overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, he won an NBA championship in 1977 and MVP award (averaging 18.9 points and 13.2 rebounds) in 1978. But he struggled with chronic foot injuries that limited him to 209 games (out of a possible 328) played in four seasons.
