And they're saying, 'Red, come here. 2x NBA CHAMPION. 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. Bill Walton Greatest Games: 44 Points vs Memphis State (1973 NCAA FInal) - YouTube 0:00 / 5:04 Bill Walton Greatest Games: 44 Points vs Memphis State (1973 NCAA FInal) Larry Legend 20.2K. us, High School: School: UCLAPosition: CenterHeight: 6-11Weight: 210 poundsYears active: 1971-74NCAA tournament record: 11-1College averages: 20.3 points per game, 15.7 rebounds per game, 65.1% field goal shooting. Bill Walton was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1993 (Full List) He then limped off the floor, receiving an ovation from the 19,301 fans. [10], Walton's ankle problems became so severe that he had both his ankles surgically fused. And we were able to go out and win a championship. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Bill Walton William Theodore Walton III Twitter : BillWalton (Big Red, Grateful Red, Red Baron, Redwood, Chief) Position: Center Shoots: Right 6-11 , 210lb (211cm, 95kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 2x All Star 1976-77 TRB Champ 1976-77 BLK Champ 2x NBA Champ 2x All-NBA 2x All-Defensive 1976-77 Finals MVP 1977-78 MVP 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. "I didn't want to play and I told Coach Wooden that. However, he returned to broadcasting the following year. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He is a real estate executive. Walton ignored doctors who said he would never play again and underwent surgery to restructure his left foot in 1981. 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. All these guys treated melittle Billylike I was part of the team. CAN'T MISS: Find out which March Madness Moment was voted the greatest of all time. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. ", Bartow, after the 1973 national championship game: "Walton Walton Walton We couldn't contain Walton. He has hosted several podcasts and satellite radio programs featuring the music of the Grateful Dead. William T. "Bill" Walton. [46], On May 13, 1979, Walton signed as a veteran free agent with the 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 sat out the 197879 season and was then signed by the San Diego Clippers (now Los Angeles Clippers), for whom he played four injury-plagued seasons. That's the day the oft-injured Hall of Famer, whose career had . "[12], In 169 games with the Clippers, Walton averaged 11.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.3 blocks, shooting 53.2%. Learn more and register. This was a team achievement and was built around Walton but we'd be foolish not to go to him. Walton averaged 29 points and 25 rebounds, as Helix finished 330 in his senior season. "I regret that I wasn't a better person. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. Because of his recovery from the knee surgery, Walton played most of his sophomore year on the junior varsity team. Bill followed Bruce in attending UCLA. 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, 8077. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? I'm very proud of this team. Find out more. 60 games): 15.7 rebounds per game, UCLA-record 48 games with at least 15 points and 15 rebounds, First, tied for second and eighth on UCLA's single-season rebounds per game list: 16.9 rpg, 15.5 rpg, 14.7 rpg, Second all-time in field goal percentage in two games at a Final Four: 82.4% (1973), Tied for second all-time in two games at a Final Four: 41 (1972), Tied for second, tied for fourth all-time in UCLA history in single-game rebounds: 27 (twice), 24 (three times), Second in UCLA history in career field goal percentage: 65.1%, Second in UCLA history in career double-doubles: 72 double-doubles, Second in UCLA history in 20-rebound games: 19 games, Tied for third all-time in field goals in two games at a Final Four: 28 (173), Third in UCLA history in career scoring average (min. Bill Walton College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Bill Walton Position: Guard 6-1 (185cm) School: Eastern Kentucky SUMMARY Career G 66 PTS 10.9 TRB 3.0 AST - FG% 45.4 FT% 71.2 Walton Overview Game Logs NCAA Tournament Game Logs 1964-65 All Game Logs On this page: Per Game Per Game Share & Export He played 20 minutes in his last game for UCLA and Coach Wooden. At halftime, the game was tied 3939. "[73], Coach Jack Ramsay, in 2010, called Walton the best Portland Trail Blazer, "hands down no question", Ramsay said. Bill was unable to play a complete game without resting. In 2009, however, after undergoing surgery because of chronic back problems, he briefly stepped away from his second profession. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. When the Walton children were in junior high and high school, Mr. Walton formed an informal family band: Bruce and Bill played trombone or baritone, Andy played the saxophone, and Cathy played the flute. [22], The 197172 UCLA basketball team had a record of 300, winning its games by an average margin of more than 30 points, averaging 94.6 points to opponents' 64.3. Join our linker program. But that led to extreme efficiency. Bill Walton III Position: Center 6-11 , 210lb (211cm, 95kg) School: UCLA (Men) Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1974 NBA draft 2x NCAA Champion 3x NCAA All-Tourney 3x NCAA All-Region 2x NCAA Tourney MOP HS Parade AA 2x AP POY 3x Consensus AA 3x Naismith Award 3x Rupp Trophy SUMMARY Career G 87 PTS 20.3 TRB 15.7 AST He is a graduate of Indiana University. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. The Waltons' La Mesa home was a hillside home on Colorado Avenue, just below Lake Murray. The 6'6" 205-pound wing set the NCAA record for career rebounds (2,201) that still stands today. And I realized immediately that I had just absolutely blown this whole deal with John Wooden. He was named first-team All-American with Jim Chones of Marquette, Bo Lamar of the Louisiana-Lafayette, Ed Ratleff of Long Beach State, and Tom Riker of South Carolina. I mean, we were good from top to bottom. 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. Oct 23, 2021. Wow. After appearing in just 14 games in his first year with San Diego, Walton sat out the entire 198081 and 198182 seasons because of more foot problems. His efforts were rewarded with the NBAs Sixth Man Award for the 198586 season. And I almost wasn't. After graduating from high school, Walton embarked on an outstanding collegiate career at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), leading his team to a pair of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) national championships under legendary coach John Wooden in 1972 and 1973. The Clippers never finished near .500 or made the playoffs in his tenure with the franchise. [37], In the 25 team 1974 NCAA tournament, UCLA defeated Dayton 111100, in a game where Walton had 27 points and 19 rebounds. [23], In the 25-team 1972 NCAA tournament, UCLA defeated Weber State 9058. 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. Bill Walton, a three-time National Player of the Year and a key member in UCLA's dynasty under John Wooden, was one of the greatest men's college basketball players ever. College: UCLA High School: Helix in La Mesa, California [61], In the Celtics' 41 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. The varsity UCLA team, led by seniors Sidney Wicks, Curtis Rowe, and Steve Patterson defeated Villanova in the 1971 NCAA Championship Game for UCLA's 5th consecutive NCAA title. "Injuries [he missed games with a bad back]. [43], Walton's first two seasons in Portland were marred by chronic foot injuries. "[12], Walton overcame all obstacles and led Helix to 49 consecutive victories in his two varsity seasons. Walton said of the loss, "We could have, we should have won them all, and we didn't get it done. Walton would never play for the Trail Blazers again. Walton continued to display his dominance during the 197778 campaign, ultimately winning the NBAs MVP award after tallying 18.9 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game that season. 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. [11], After the 198485 campaign, Walton called on two of the league's premier teams, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. After being selected as the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft, Walton led the Portland Trail Blazers to an NBA championship in 1977, earning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award that season. UCLA's 1971-72 squad quickly became nicknamed "Walton's Gang," in honor of the 6-11 sophomore. Walton scored eight of UCLA's first 12 points in the game and never looked back. The gymnasium at the Boys and Girls Club in, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 09:26. A story published in The TerreHaute Tribune on March 24, 1972 noted that Walton hadn't lost a game since he was a sophomore in high school in 1967. [46][11], 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 198283 under doctor's orders to play about one game per week. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. Also Read: Bill Walton's Top Moments during Warriors-Blazers Match. We couldn't let him dominate the game. That's the best team I've ever been on, no question about that. In the Nuggets series Walton averaged 17.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 blocks. With Walton playing alongside Henry Bibby, Larry Farmer, Wilkes, Lee, and Swen Nater, UCLA finished 140 in the Pac 8 Conference. After several players on the Celtics said they liked the idea of having Walton as a teammate backing up Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, Red Auerbach made the deal happen. 3x NATIONAL COLLEGE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. 7 Arizona, Indiana outruns Purdue, UNC and Florida State earn stunning wins and more from a men's hoops Saturday, How two HBCUs won an NCAA tournament game in the same year for the first time, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 1971-72: 21.1 points, 15.5 rebounds, 63.9% field goal shooting, 1972-73: 20.4 points, 16.9 rebounds, 65.0% field goal shooting, 1973-74: 19.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 66.5% field goal shooting, One of the top 15 players honored in th e75 Years of March Madness Celebration, The most points scored in an NCAA tournament championship game: 44 points (1973), The most field goals in an NCAA tournament championship game: 21 (1973), UCLA's all-time leader in career rebounds: 1,370 rebounds, UCLA's all-time leader in career rebounds per game (min. He entered the corporate world and earned his MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. 60 games): 20.3 points per game, Fourth, tied for fifth in rebounds in an NCAA tournament semifinal: 18 (1974), 17 (1973), Tied for fourth all-time in rebounds in an NCAA tournament championship game: 20 (1972), Fourth in UCLA history in field goals made: 747, Fifth all-time in most rebounds in a season: 506 rebounds in 1973, Sixth all-time in highest rebound average in a season: 16.9 rebounds per game in 1973, Thirteenth all-time in career field goal percentage: 65.1 percent, Nineteenth and 24th on UCLA's all-time single-season scoring average list: 21.1 ppg (1972), 20.4 ppg (1973), Tied for 18th all-time for most double-doubles in a season: 27 (in 30 games) in 1973, Tied for 21st all-time for most double-doubles in a career: 72 double-doubles, Tied for 22nd all-time in most rebounds in a game since 1973: 27 rebounds against Loyola Chicago and Maryland in 1973, Tied for 27th all-time in consecutive double-doubles in a season: 15 consecutive double-doubles in 1971-72. Dressed in blue jeans, white basketball shoes and a Carlos Santana T-shirt, Walton's busy telling students about March 15, 1990. I've got a new knee. Andy Wittry has written for Stadium, SI.com, Sporting News, the Indianapolis Star, Louisville Courier-Journal and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Center "[8], "When they would begin to rough up Bill, I would look at coach and he would give me a nod", recalled Bruce. Walton won 1 MVP Award, was selected to play in 2 All-Star Games, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993. "[36], "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." He earned an Emmy Award in 1991. "[10], While Walton was in high school in 1967, the NBA expansion San Diego Rockets came to town. John Wooden. "Twenty minutes too much", he said. The Bruins averaged winning by over 20 points, averaging 81.3 points to their opponents' 60.1. Walton is a noted fan of the Grateful Dead, as a self-described "Deadhead", and often mentions them in his broadcasts. Walton led the league in blocked shots and rebounding, was named to the NBA all-defensive team, and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1977 play-offs. Tech. Before the injuries hampered his professional career, Bill Walton dominated college basketball. 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. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 6:40AM. The Irish made six shots in a row, winning on Dwight Clay's shot with 29 seconds left, as Notre Dame prevailed 7170. Then I joined the NBA. Do you have a blog? 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. I had no idea what we had at UCLA. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He also won the national . Freshmen were prohibited by the NCAA from playing varsity at the time. Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1974 NBA Draft, Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1993 (Full List), More Bill Walton pages at Sports Reference. Obviously, we didn't do a good job of that. [34] "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) protest. "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. He added 13 rebounds, two assists, and one block, to lead Bruins to a seventh straight title, 8766 over Memphis State; the Tigers were led by head coach Gene Bartow (who replaced Wooden at UCLA three years later),[29] with players Larry Kenon and Larry Finch. His high arch, which made the foot bones susceptible to breaking, was lowered to relieve the stress on the bones. 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 didnt perform. I'm the lucky one, in that I never thought going through all of it that I would be healthy at the end. 1978 NBA MVP. We've got a game.' "[55], The following season, the 197778 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. Coach Nash played Bill and Bruce Walton together in the paint. What a dream come true. stunned the reigning national champs, 2023 NC skiing championship selections announced. And he had a great head, a very dedicated team player. Following surgery on his back, Walton returned to broadcasting as a part-time commentator for the Sacramento Kings for 201011 and 201112. We couldn't get him out. [21], After Walton initially refused to cut his hair as an incoming freshman, Coach Wooden told Walton "we'll miss you." [25][26][23], Walton's political personality was alive in his collegiate years on the UCLA campus. 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. [67], 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. In a Final Four game against Louisville in the 1972 NCAA tournament, Walton was 11-of-15 from the field, scoring 33 points to go along with 21 rebounds. Or write about sports? [28][27], In the 1973 NCAA title game against Memphis State, Walton had arguably the best individual performance in an NCAA championship game, which was the first held on Monday night. Look at his face. Coach Gordon Nash promoted him to the varsity team the end of the season. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. "[59], 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. Bill Walton led a dynasty to two national championships, and an 88-game winning streak that no men's team has yet to touch. [19], Beginning in elementary and high school, Walton had loyally followed UCLA's basketball team on the radio. "[11], In Walton's senior year, UCLA's 88-game winning streak ended with a 7170 loss at Notre Dame on January 19, 1974. Career Stats Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. [60][59], The 1986 NBA playoffs were Walton's first taste of the postseason in nearly a decade, at age 33. If you let him have the ball around the basket, you're dead. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Walton's only four losses came in his senior year (Notre Dame, Oregon State, Oregon and then NC State in the NCAA tournament). I'm lying on the table there in the doctors examining room. "So the things he taught us made no sense to us. [25][26], 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. William Theodore Walton III His commentary has been noted for his frequent use of catchphrases and hyperbole. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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. Luke Theodore Walton (Little Wheats) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Right 6-8, 235lb (203cm, 106kg) . [81], Walton frequently works alongside Dave Pasch while calling Pac-12 games. The UCLANorth Carolina State game was No. They followed American basketball closely and they knew that no Walton was going to be a big deal." We can't pass this guy.' Learn more and register, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Bill Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. [12][43][44][45], Walton was the number one overall pick by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA draft. I regret the circumstances in which I left the Portland Trail Blazers family. I was a very shy, reserved player and a very shy, reserved person. 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. [115], His memoir, Back from the Dead: Searching for the Sound, Shining the Light and Throwing It Down, was released by Simon and Schuster in March 2016. "He thought enough of me to make sure I was comfortable with him being on the team. [99][100], Nate Walton played basketball at Princeton. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. [11], As a rookie in 197475, Walton averaged a double-double 12.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks in 35 games. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions. [7] "Bill and I couldn't quit fast enough", Bruce said. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. Then, when I was 28 I learned how to speak. He was recruited by many colleges, but quickly accepted UCLA's scholarship offer to play basketball for the Bruins and Coach Wooden. A bronze statue of Walton was unveiled at Ski Beach Park in San Diego, California's. I thought everybody had the same thing: great parents, great schools, great neighborhoods, great colleges, great coaches. "He went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys. (Bill Walton had attended Stanford Law School for two years while with the Clippers, but never graduated.) "[13], Hall of Fame Coach Denny Crum was then an assistant coach at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), under John Wooden, sent to watch Walton play. We were so young and we had always won. In April 2019, Luke Walton was named head coach of the Sacramento Kings. 13 on USA Today's list of the greatest NCAA tournament games of all time. Here are the top matchups and tournaments to watch in the non-conference portion of the NCAA softball season. Do you have a sports website? Center Bill Walton was an absolute monster during his three-year stretch at UCLA in the '70s. 2023 NCAA | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Gonzaga, Baylor lead Andy Katz's first Power 36 rankings for the 2020-21 season, Find out which March Madness Moment was voted the greatest of all time, College basketball dictionary: 51 terms defined, How recent eventual March Madness men's champions did in their conference tournaments, 2023 Selection Sunday: Date, schedule, TV times, Marquette, Indiana leap into the top 6 of the men's college basketball Power 36 rankings, We're tracking all 32 NCAA men's basketball conference tournaments, auto bids for 2023, 2023 NCAA printable bracket, schedule for March Madness, Undefeated teams in DI college basketball, 5 stunners that rocked men's college basketball on the last Saturday before March, Arizona State's buzzer-beating 3-pointer from beyond half court shocks No. It's my greatest failure as a professional in my entire life, I could not get the job done in my hometown. [57][58][11], 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. Join our linker program. ", unattributed (1972): "If you rate all the teams in the country you would have to rate it in the following order: the Los Angeles Lakers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the UCLA Bruins.". "[12], On Clippers owner Donald Sterling, Walton commented, "The checks bounced higher than the basketballs when Donald Sterling took over. "When that happened, he'd tell me and I'd take him out. A better player. So we had no real idea how fragile everything was. In addition to making the All-NBA first team and the All-NBA defensive team, Walton was honoured as the play-off MVP for the second consecutive year even though the Trail Blazers failed to repeat as champions. Walton played for UCLA under Coach Wooden from 1971 to 1974. 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. "[75], Said Walton reflecting on his career: "I loved basketball. [102][103], Bill Walton's other brother, Bruce Walton, played in the National Football League with the Dallas Cowboys from 1973 to 1975. 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.[121][122]. In 2015, he made a visit to the Ken Kesey Collection while on a stop at the University of Oregon. Or write about sports? "I wish we had NBA basketball here, and we don't because of me. [46], At age 17, just out of high school, in the summer of 1970, Walton was selected to represent USA Basketball at the 1970 FIBA World Championship. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. It's not like he attempted 22 dunks, and still, he missed only once all game. [28][27], In the 1973 Final Four, the Bruins won the national semifinal 7059 over Indiana and Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight. All rights reserved. Portland, concerned that Walton was injury-prone, traded him to the San Diego Clippers after the 197879 season. He says, 'Walton, can you play?' Do you have a blog? "[36], UCLA had to come back and play in the NCAA 3rd place game, in which they eventually defeated Kansas. Professional Life of Bill Walton. At the St. Louis Arena on March26, Walton scored 44 points on near-perfect 21 of 22 shooting. [citation needed], Walton first played organized basketball under Frank "Rocky" Graciano, who coached at Walton's Catholic elementary school. Some college basketball historians rate Walton as the greatest who ever played at the college level. "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, and Stu Lantz. The Trail Blazers with Geoff Petrie, Sidney Wicks, and LaRue Martin finished 3844 under player/coach Lenny Wilkens. He could not walk to the hospital. Walton was inducted into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. Bill was taller, but frail as he had not filled out his growing frame. We worked to push him out farther. Data Provided By "It was all a matter of if he could stay healthy. [citation needed] Walton has said repeatedly in his broadcasts that he is just as much to blame for taking the medication as the doctor was for giving it to him. College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. During this time, he befriended the controversial writer Jack Scott, who wrote and published a book about him in 1978. Omissions? From 1972-74, Bill Walton led UCLA to an 86-4 record and two national titles. 2 min read. Bill Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players in history. He loved to win on the opponent's court. "[74], "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 said, 'Mom, that's Big E! 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. He averaged 17.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 4.3 blocks in the first round series against the Bulls. Alternate titles: William Theodore Walton III. [46][47], In 197576, 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 3745. I was incredibly shy and never said a word. Walton is particularly attached to the Grateful Dead, whose concerts he started attending in 1967, while he was still in high school. [82], Walton's 2003 TV series Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip aired on ESPN with Walton as subject and star. And another one. DI indoor T&F championship selections revealed, How La. So I'm here to apologize, to try and make amends, and to try and start over and make it better. Walton then suffered a broken foot, ending his regular season. Born: March 28, 1980 in San Diego, California us Relatives: Father Bill Walton. Career Stats. He became the only player in league history to have won an NBA finals MVP, Sixth Man Award and regular season MVP. And when you're in that position, it's the worst feeling in the world. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? slowhandmark 10 yr. ago That dunk on Abdul jabbar in 77. Everything that Coach Wooden told us eventually came true. [48][46], In 197677 season Walton played in 65 games and, spurred by new head coach Jack Ramsay, Walton and a newly acquired ABA draftee in Maurice Lucas, the Trail Blazers became the Cinderella team of the NBA. ", Wooden, after Walton's 44-point performance in the national championship: "For Bill, I believe this was the only time this season I've seen him so emotionally ready to play. [deleted] 10 yr. ago For the curious. However, they were outscored 120, missing six consecutive shots with four turnovers. [18], "It was a dream come true to be a part of a special team", Walton said. [22], Walton is a fan of the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers Band, Neil Young, Phish, and Bob Dylan. 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