Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Basketball: Bill Walton, legendary player and broadcaster, dead at 71

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Legendary basketball player Bill Walton has died at age 71.

The American won a pair of NBA titles, with the Portland Trailblazers in 1977 and then with the Boston Celtics in 1986. He was a two-time NCAA champion, too, helping the UCLA Bruins to back-to-back titles in 1972-73 under the eye of coach John Wooden, part of an 88-game win streak at the school.

The NBA confirmed Walton’s death on Monday (27 May) after he had been battling cancer in recent years.

Having retired in 1988, Walton turned to commentary in 2001, becoming one of the most colourful voices on television covering the game.

One of his four sons, Luke Walton, went on to an NBA career, as well, winning titles in 2009 and 2010 with the Los Angeles Lakers. They are the first father-son duo to win multiple NBA crowns.

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