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Bill Walton, a National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer and one of the sport’s biggest broadcasters, has died at age 71.<\/p>\n
Walton died after a long battle with cancer, the league announced on Monday.<\/p>\n
NBA commissioner Adam Silver remembered him as “truly one of a kind”.<\/p>\n
Walton was known for his legendary college basketball career in California – and for overcoming a stutter to build a successful broadcasting career.<\/p>\n
At 6-foot-11, he played centre for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)’s basketball team from 1971 to 1974. <\/p>\n
It was with that team he led the Bruins to two championship wins and an 88-game winning streak.<\/p>\n
He was then selected as the No1 overall draft pick in 1974 by the Portland Trail Blazers, kickstarting his professional career in the NBA.<\/p>\n
Walton led the Blazers to a championship win in 1977 – their first and only title – and won the coveted Most Valuable Player award that season. <\/p>\n
Nine years later, he won his second NBA championship, this time with the Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Monday, NBA commissioner Mr Silver said Walton was known in the league for his “unique all-around skills”.<\/p>\n
“As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the centre position,” added Mr Silver.<\/p>\n
Walton’s professional career lasted only 468 games and was cut short due chronic foot injuries. <\/p>\n
But his basketball journey did not end there.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Walton went on to become an illustrious and colourful Emmy Award-winning commentator for the sport, bringing with him his “infectious enthusiasm and love for the game”, said Mr Silver.<\/p>\n
He did so despite having a pronounced stutter for much of his early life.<\/p>\n
“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,” Mr Walton told radio host John Canzano in 2017.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Besides his entertaining commentary, Walton was often an easy-to-spot figure in the media booth, thanks to his bright tie-dyed T-shirts.<\/p>\n
“What I will remember most about him was his zest for life,” said Mr Silver. “He was a regular presence at league events \u2013 always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth.”<\/p>\n
UCLA’s basketball coach Mick Cronin added: “It’s very hard to put into words what he has meant to UCLA’s program, as well as his tremendous impact on college basketball.”<\/p>\n
Walton was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.<\/p>\n
He leaves behind his wife and four sons, including Luke Walton – a former NBA player and now an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n