Almost Perfect. This article was most recently revised and updated by, The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Walton, ESPN Classic - Walton weathered injuries to win titles, Bill Walton - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). [56] Walton nonetheless won the 1978 NBA Most Valuable Player award and the Sporting News NBA MVP, as well. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. I was incredibly shy and never said a word. 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. All of those guys all still my friends to this very day. As we mentioned earlier, Walton had 33 points and 21 rebounds against Louisville in the national semifinal, then he had 24 and 20 against Florida State in the national championship game. Walton was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of both tournaments and established an NCAA tournament career record for field goal percentage at 68.6 percent (109 of 159 field goals) from 1972 to 1974. "Walton has averaged 21.3 points per game and 15.5 rebounds per game, despite riding the bench much of the time after the starters had built insurmountable leads," wrote The Daily Herald's sports editor Joe Watts. They followed American basketball closely and they knew that no Walton was going to be a big deal." Posted on Feb 4th, 2017, 1:56 PM, , User Since 215 months ago, User Post Count: 13867 College Football at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Walton set the record for most points in an NCAA championship game, which still stands, and was the tournament's most outstanding player. 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. 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. "[74] Of Walton's injuries, Ramsay added, "And that was very frustrating to both of us. [1][2], Walton's early career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) was very successful, winning the 1978 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and an NBA championship with the Portland Trail Blazers, for which he was also named Finals MVP. 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. [17], In 1970, Walton was featured in "Faces in the Crowd" in the January 26 issue of Sports Illustrated, his first national media recognition. I've never met anybody who stopped playing voluntarily. He rung up 2,402 points over his collegiate career and was selected as an All-American three times. And to me it was frustrating because I finally had a great team and a great player and it was all coming apart. 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. SI Staff. 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. [38], In the 1974 Final Four, UCLA's record seven consecutive national titles was broken. His parents had interests in art, literature, politics, and music. 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. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Perhaps, I've never had a better team when you consider both offense and defense. Thank you Boston Celtics. However, they were outscored 120, missing six consecutive shots with four turnovers. Find out more. [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. And he had a great head, a very dedicated team player. Walton was named the NCAA player of the year in three consecutive seasons (197274). All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. [116], 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. "[73], Coach Jack Ramsay, in 2010, called Walton the best Portland Trail Blazer, "hands down no question", Ramsay said. [83], Walton's 2003 TV series Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip aired on ESPN with Walton as subject and star. Maravich was a legitimate scoring machine in college Walton, who had played in the NBA from 1974-75 until 1987-88 and had won the NBA championship rings with 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers and 1985-86 . Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. He may not have been fast in the traditional sense at 6-11, 210 pounds, but he was quick. Walton signed with the Trail Blazers. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. He shot 17/22 from two, shooting at 77.3% from the field. [88], In 2001, Walton received an Emmy Award for "Best Live Sports Television Broadcast" and in 2018 was the recipient of the CoSIDA Dick Enberg Award. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. "I regret that I wasn't a better person. Bill Walton who scored a record 44 points as UCLA whipped Memphis State University in the final game of the NCAA tourney at St. Louis, walks slowly with a taped ankle after he was injured before . 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 In the NCAA championship game, he had 24 points and 20 rebounds in the Bruins' 8176 victory over Florida State. 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. [15] In addition, Walton's 825 rebounds that season ranks No 3 all-time. Bill Walton Finals Stats By Game | StatMuse Bill Walton finals stats by game Explore How many career 30+ point games does Bill Walton have? The only way to beat UCLA is to keep Walton from getting the ball and there's really no way to do it at least with our personnel. But, he played in only six games and did not start any of them. And Red pushes his way through all the doctors, comes over. "[11], In Walton's senior year, UCLA's 88-game winning streak ended with a 7170 loss at Notre Dame on January 19, 1974. Please disable your ad blocker to view the video content. [18], "It was a dream come true to be a part of a special team", Walton said. Helix in La Mesa, California, Draft: Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He holds an average of 3.1 rebounds in addition to 0.9 assists per game. 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. All rights reserved. "[36], In 2009, Walton underwent an eight-hour spinal-fusion surgery. Home; Tickets; Schedule. They couldn't have been nicer, and I became their friend. I ground my body up. USA Softball revealed the 2023 roster for the World Softball Confederation World Cup-Group A, which is scheduled for July 11-15 in Fingal-Dublin, Ireland. Bill was an ber-talented big plagued by injuries during his pro career; a career in which he never achieved his promise. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? [23], In the 25-team 1972 NCAA tournament, UCLA defeated Weber State 9058. Walton led UCLA in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage for three consecutive years: No sophomore, junior or senior in UCLA history has averaged more rebounds per game, respectively, than when Walton was a sophomore, junior and senior. Walton once had a triple-double against SMU with 25 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. [50][46], In the 1977 postseason, Walton led #3 seed Portland to series victories over the Chicago Bulls with Artis Gilmore (21) and the Denver Nuggets with Dan Issel (42). I'm the luckiest guy on earth. Bill Walton - NBA player profile page from WhatifSports. Right, Born: During this time, he befriended the controversial writer Jack Scott, who wrote and published a book about him in 1978. Let's go. To not be able to play was a crushing blow to him. Curtis scored 22 points off the bench to help UCLA with the 70-59 victory. I drove the poor guy to an early grave when he was 99. [10], During his sophomore year of high school (age 1516), Walton grew from 6ft 1in (1.85m) to 6ft 7in (2.01m). I ground my feet up into dust. Walton then suffered a broken foot, ending his regular season. it seems Walton's got a point when you pull up those numbers. [57], 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. But to win, we also felt we had to control Walton. . [62] In the Eastern Conference Finals 40 sweep against the Milwaukee Bucks, Walton averaged 8.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 18 minutes. The Associated Press noted that Walton was double-teamed for most of the game, too. We can't pass this guy.' 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. [32], "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. I regret the circumstances in which I left the Portland Trail Blazers family. Bill Walton is a former NBA basketball player and television sportscaster. Following surgery on his back, Walton returned to broadcasting as a part-time commentator for the Sacramento Kings for 201011 and 201112. Walton played for John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins, winning three successive National college player of the year awards (1972-1974), while leading UCLA to NCAA championships in 1972 and 1973 and an 88-game winning streak. slowhandmark 10 yr. ago That dunk on Abdul jabbar in 77. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. It is a stain and stigma on my soul that is indelible. Defense & Fumbles * indicates bowl stats included Their comparative career stats: WALTON. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. 5 new teams enter latest DI baseball rankings, DIII men's volleyball championship selections, Midseason track & field superlatives, sleeper picks. Brian Stultz (@brianjstultz) November 25, 2022 Bill Walton with the Grateful Dead reference, "Alabama Getaway." Walton set a school record with 506 rebounds Larry Farmer and Larry Hollyfield became the only players to have the best winning record over a three-year period, 89-1. 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. Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1974 NBA draft, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, April 17, 12:24AM. Coach Nash played Bill and Bruce Walton together in the paint. Period.". Walton wrote the memoir Back from the Dead (2016). Walton won 1 MVP Award, was selected to play in 2 All-Star Games, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993. The 6'6" 205-pound wing set the NCAA record for career rebounds (2,201) that still stands today. Viewed by many as the best-passing big man of all time, Walton was honoured as one of the NBAs 50 all-time greatest players in 1996. I lived most of my life by myself. 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. Bill Walton attended Helix in La Mesa, California and UCLA. The following series of photographs in The Daily Herald (Provo, UT) show Walton's technique of grabbing a rebound, holding the ball high over his head and throwing a two-handed overhead pass to a teammate. April 13, 2016. [46], Walton described doctors looking at his X-rays at the hospital after he arrived in Boston: "And then Red, he bursts in through the double doors 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?' Bill Walton Stats. At UCLA in the early '70s, the 6-foot-11, 235-pound center was the linchpin of the Bruins winning an NCAA record 88. 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, Johnson, Paul appointed to NCAA Division I Mens Basketball Committee, How often fans picked the right NCAA men's champion, every year since 2014, Latest bracket, schedule and scores for the men's tournament, 1 thing to know from every one of the 67 March Madness games, UConn's 2023 title run has cemented its status as a blue blood if it wasn't already, How much experience coaches have when they reach their first Final Four, Tracking 2023 March Madness men's records by conference, Men's Final Four Most Outstanding Players from 1939 to present, 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 only played in ten games during the season. Bill Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. If Bill Walton was getting physical treatment in a basketball game, Bruce returned the treatment. [25][26], UCLA again finished 300 overall and 140 in the Pac-8 conference in 197273. I worried when he was thrown in jail with the group that took over the administration building, I worried when he stopped traffic on Wilshire Boulevard, and when he interrupted classes giving his views on the Vietnam War. In his first season with San Diego, Walton played 14 games for the Clippers in the 197980 season. "[12], "We had the best gym in San Diego and all the Rockets players wanted to go there", Walton reflected. Bill Walton led the Bruins to two consecutive 300 seasons and the NCAA men's basketball record 88-game winning streak. When UCLA led Memphis State 35-30, Walton wasn't that far behind the Tigers with his individual point total of 20. Do you have a sports website? And we were able to go out and win a championship. [7] Coach Graciano "made it [basketball] fun and really emphasized the joy of playing the team game", said Walton. And I was going to go until I couldn't go anymore. Shoots: The Trail Blazers with Geoff Petrie, Sidney Wicks, and LaRue Martin finished 3844 under player/coach Lenny Wilkens. I'm in charge here.' Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. But, he made 12 of his first 13 shots and the Bruins led Notre Dame by 17 points at halftime. With Walton playing alongside Henry Bibby, Larry Farmer, Wilkes, Lee, and Swen Nater, UCLA finished 140 in the Pac 8 Conference. November 5, 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 stints for several networks and teams. 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 couldn't let him dominate the game. 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. 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. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Walton's only four losses came in his senior year (Notre Dame, Oregon State, Oregon and then NC State in the NCAA tournament). Look at his face. "[99], Chris Walton played for San Diego State. Andy Wittry has written for Stadium, SI.com, Sporting News, the Indianapolis Star, Louisville Courier-Journal and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The UCLANorth Carolina State game was No. UCLA was leading 7059 with 3 minutes remaining. CAN'T MISS: Find out which March Madness Moment was voted the greatest of all time. Or write about sports? Find out more. Bird said that if Walton felt healthy enough to play that it was good enough for him, as opposed to Lakers GM Jerry West, who was hedging his interest in Walton pending a doctor's report. "Maurice was so important in my life and in little Luke's life", Walton said. At halftime, the game was tied 3939. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Navigation Toggle NBA. He was undercut by a Washington State player and broke two bones in his spine, which remained damaged until corrective surgery in 2009. His saga of injury and failed rehabs was connected to the use of painkillers by the doctor who was assigned to his case. And I looked up at him, and I said, 'Red, I think I can. 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