Bill Walton was one of the greats in college basketball history. We thought he was nuts, but when you're hot and when you're on top and it's all happening, you never think. William Theodore Walton III (born November 5, 1952) is an American television sportscaster and former professional basketball player. Walton typically was paired with Steve "Snapper" Jones for national NBA games because he and Jones had a point-counterpoint banter during games. The Associated Press noted that Walton was double-teamed for most of the game, too. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 4:56AM. He has been highly successful in the oil business. [15] In addition, Walton's 825 rebounds that season ranks No 3 all-time. "[12], "We had the best gym in San Diego and all the Rockets players wanted to go there", Walton reflected. He shot 52.1% from the floor for his career. Here's everything you need to know about Walton's time with the Bruins. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. At halftime, the game was tied 3939. "[107], On Walton's desk sits a message to him from Coach Wooden: "To Bill Walton, it's the things you learn after you know it all that count. "[41], Walton was drafted by the American Basketball Association's Dallas Chaparrals in the 1973 ABA draft as an underclassman in an attempt to lure him from UCLA. This was a team achievement and was built around Walton but we'd be foolish not to go to him. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Thank you Larry Bird. That's the best team I've ever been on, no question about that. I've had 37 (38 now) orthopedic operations. Join our linker program. Learn more and register, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Blog and Articles. 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 is a wonderful person and a very special human being", Walton said. Walton's most famous college performance was a 44-point outburst in the 1973 NCAA tournament national championship against Memphis State, when he made 21-of-22 field goal attempts. Bill Walton led a dynasty to two national championships, and an 88-game winning streak that no men's team has yet to touch. Find out more. 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. Wow. Walton was injured again in the 198687 regular season, but returned in time for the 1987 playoffs. Bill Walton led the Bruins to two consecutive 300 seasons and the NCAA men's basketball record 88-game winning streak. [37] He was named 1st Team All-American alongside Marvin Barnes of Providence, John Shumate of Notre Dame, David Thompson of North Carolina State, and teammate Wilkes of UCLA. "[73], Coach Jack Ramsay, in 2010, called Walton the best Portland Trail Blazer, "hands down no question", Ramsay said. To fellow Deadheads, Walton is fondly known as "Grateful Red" and the "Big Red Deadhead" and "World's Tallest Deadhead". [18], "It was a dream come true to be a part of a special team", Walton said. 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. 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. Well, he scored at least 20 points in five other NCAA tournament games, including two 20-point, 20-rebound games in the 1972 NCAA tournament. The Terre Haute Tribune noted that Walton "doesn't shoot all over the place." Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Bill Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. Walton set the record for most points in an NCAA championship game, which still stands, and was the tournament's most outstanding player. In 2009, however, after undergoing surgery because of chronic back problems, he briefly stepped away from his second profession. Nonetheless, he was one of the greatest college basketball players in history. [117], Walton, who has a service dog, wrote the foreword to the 2015 book Unconditional Honor: Wounded Warriors and their Dogs by author Cathy Scott. ", UCLA coach John Wooden: "There have only been two men I have coached that could have played on the varsity in their freshman years Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton. After the successful surgery he was hospitalized for a week, and could not move freely for a year. During this time, he befriended the controversial writer Jack Scott, who wrote and published a book about him in 1978. "[20], "I would love to play one more game", Walton said he wished. Ghostbusters was filmed in 1984 and Pasch questioned Walton about his claim throughout the game as to the specifics of his appearance and character, but Walton refused to provide more details. 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. After losing the first two games, the Blazers won four straight to win the NBA championship. Bartow added, "I felt very good at halftime, very good. Career Stats 4.1Portland Trail Blazers (1974-1979) 4.1.1Injury-plagued early years (1974-1976) 4.1.2First championship and Finals MVP (1976-1977) 4.1.3MVP campaign and holdout (1977-1979) 4.2San Diego Clippers (1979-1985) 4.3Boston Celtics (1985-1987) 4.3.1Second championship and sixth man award (1985-1986) 4.3.2Injury-plagued final playing year (1986-1987) Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Walton ignored doctors who said he would never play again and underwent surgery to restructure his left foot in 1981. I never spoke to anybody. 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. CAN'T MISS: Find out which March Madness Moment was voted the greatest of all time. We present them here for purely educational purposes. "So the things he taught us made no sense to us. Walton played wearing a back brace, as he had suffered a major back injury in a fall against Washington State the week before. They were basketball teammates in high school. And they're saying, 'Red, come here. John Wooden. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions. Having played just 468 games over 10 seasons, Walton retired after the 198687 campaign. 1952 Let's go. "Of which I had no interest in doing", Walton said. College College Basketball Almost Perfect SI Staff Mar 2, 2013 1:10 Almost Perfect UCLA center Bill Walton was nearly perfect in the 1973 NCAA men's national championship game,. [46], Portland finished the regular season 5824 and Walton returned for the 1978 NBA playoffs. "[citation needed], Walton played high school basketball at Helix High School in La Mesa alongside his brother Bruce, who was one year older at 6ft 6in (1.98m) and 250 pounds (113kg). 3x NATIONAL COLLEGE PLAYER OF THE YEAR. His older brother Bruce played football at UCLA, enrolling a year ahead of Bill. Walton tallied 17 points, nine rebounds, and four assists against San Francisco. And we were able to go out and win a championship. UCLA was 86-4 during Bill Walton's three years of college with the center starting his college career 73-0. "Whenever there was a big moment for little Luke, big Luke would show up unannounced to make sure it all turned out right. 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. Wooden said Walton is the best center he had ever seen in throwing outlet passes. "Maurice was so important in my life and in little Luke's life", Walton said. [4][5][6], Walton's father Ted was a music teacher and social worker and his mother Gloria, a librarian. [82], Walton's 2003 TV series Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip aired on ESPN with Walton as subject and star. We had a bitter argument over that, and I lost that argument, too", said Walton, who took only three shots as UCLA had a 7861 win. "I came back and told Coach Wooden that this Walton kid was the best high school player I'd ever seen", Crum recalled. Walton reportedly agreed to a seven-year, $7 million contract. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. When UCLA led Memphis State 35-30, Walton wasn't that far behind the Tigers with his individual point total of 20. Following surgery on his back, Walton returned to broadcasting as a part-time commentator for the Sacramento Kings for 201011 and 201112. He also won the national . 1978 NBA MVP. [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. 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. He is a real estate executive. Career Stats. "[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." the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. "[12], Walton overcame all obstacles and led Helix to 49 consecutive victories in his two varsity seasons. He's a nationally known face, a hipster wild man, but now he's also this: But I'm all better now. [67][68] He attempted a comeback in February 1990, but injuries intervened and he retired as a player. He earned Academic All-American honors in 1972, 1973 and 1974. Data Provided By Walton then rode his bike to a nearby barber. 1977 NBA Finals MVP. They followed American basketball closely and they knew that no Walton was going to be a big deal." "When that happened, he'd tell me and I'd take him out. After the game, Louisville coach Denny Crum told reporters, "I think this is the best UCLA team ever.". 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. He says, 'Walton, can you play?' His listed adult playing height was 6ft 11in (2.11m); it has been reported that Walton is actually taller (7ft 2in (2.18m) or more), but does not like being categorized as a seven-footer. 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]. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. In 1971-72, the Walton Gang went 30-0 and had only two games settled by single digits. Bill was unable to play a complete game without resting. He earned an Emmy Award in 1991. William T. "Bill" Walton. The basketball was awful, and the business side was immoral, dishonest, corrupt, and illegal. With Walton playing alongside Henry Bibby, Larry Farmer, Wilkes, Lee, and Swen Nater, UCLA finished 140 in the Pac 8 Conference. He'd dart across the lane to establish position or to catch a sleeping defender off-guard on his way to the rim. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [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. "[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. He is also mentioned by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1980 comedy Airplane! Bill Walton Returns to ESPN College Basketball Airwaves Having starred at UCLA as a player, Bill Walton is synonymous with being on the call for games involving Pac-12 Conference teams. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. A bronze statue of Walton was unveiled at Ski Beach Park in San Diego, California's. Walton eventually signed with the San Diego Clippers when he became a free agent in 1979. Walton had entered high school at a height of about 6ft 0in (1.83m) tall and graduated at about 7ft 0in (2.13m) tall. He rung up 2,402 points over his collegiate career and was selected as an All-American three times. [28][27], In the 1973 Final Four, the Bruins won the national semifinal 7059 over Indiana and Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Walton, who missed a 12-foot shot off an inbounds pass to win the game as time expired, finished with 24 points and nine rebounds. "[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. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. And when you're in that position, it's the worst feeling in the world. [38], In the 1974 Final Four, UCLA's record seven consecutive national titles was broken. Updates? Walton was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 1984. One new team enters after the opening weekend. His NBA years : from 1975 to 1987 Bill Walton NBA Stats Summary : "It was all a matter of if he could stay healthy. William Theodore Walton III 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. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Or write about sports? Do you have a sports website? [99][100], Nate Walton played basketball at Princeton. [13][14][10], As a senior in 196970, Walton made 384 of 490 shot attempts, 78.3 percent, still the all-time national record. In 1972-73, they were 30-0 again and won four . "He thought enough of me to make sure I was comfortable with him being on the team. That's because offensively, Walton played a key role in transition. Helix in La Mesa, California, Draft: "He would simply get too tired", recalled Nash. "I wish we had NBA basketball here, and we don't because of me. He has hosted several podcasts and satellite radio programs featuring the music of the Grateful Dead. Walton signed with the Trail Blazers. Some school's results have been altered by retroactive NCAA penalties. Walton joined the Boston Celtics, and they won the 1985-86 championship. According to Russian sports historian Robert Edelman, "when (the Soviets) saw who was and wasn't on the U.S. team, that's when they started feeling like they'd actually have a chance. Walton knows alot of basketball but doesn't beat you over the head with his "basketball knowledge" I'd rather hear Walton go off script than hear Jay Bilas say "horn set" 500 times a game. And to me it was frustrating because I finally had a great team and a great player and it was all coming apart. BILL WALTON: College basketball stats, best moments and quotes. Give me the phone!' RELATED: Gonzaga, Baylor lead Andy Katz's first Power 36 rankings for the 2020-21 season. Walton is a noted fan of the Grateful Dead, as a self-described "Deadhead", and often mentions them in his broadcasts. I'm the luckiest guy on earth. 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 was a very shy, reserved player and a very shy, reserved person. I mean, we were good from top to bottom. UCLA was leading 7059 with 3 minutes remaining. "Walton could do everything, he had great timing, complete vision of the floor, had excellent fundamentals and was a great passer, both in outlet passes and in the half court. [11], Walton played a career-high 80 games for Coach KC Jones and the Celtics during the 198586 season. I'll never be able to wash that off, and I carry it with me forever. 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. "[36], UCLA had to come back and play in the NCAA 3rd place game, in which they eventually defeated Kansas. [citation needed] "There were so many problems", Walton said of the losses. Corrections? [19], Beginning in elementary and high school, Walton had loyally followed UCLA's basketball team on the radio. [citation needed], Said Walton of Coach Wooden: "I was John Wooden's easiest recruit. 2x NBA CHAMPION. "Walton started UCLA's famed fast break with quick outlet passes," noted the AP. I lived most of my life by myself. As a matter of policy, Sports Reference only reports the results of games as played on the field. [14], "I had no problem with him during the season", Wooden said of Walton's college days. Your Account Logout Login Create Account MENU Players Schools Years Leaders CFB Scores Bowls Play Index Newsletter Prior to joining the varsity team, Walton (18.1 ppg, 68.6% field goal accuracy), along with Greg Lee (17.9 ppg) and Keith Wilkes (20.0 ppg), was a member of the 200 197071 UCLA freshman team. He entered the corporate world and earned his MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. Bill Walton averaged 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. See our list of forfeits and vacated games for more details. He became the only player to have won an NBA Finals MVP, Sixth Man Award, and regular season MVP. "Injuries [he missed games with a bad back]. [40], Walton left UCLA to begin a new life in professional basketball and kept a lifetime friendship with Coach Wooden. Overall in 197273, Walton averaged 20.4 points and 16.9 rebounds in 30 games on 65.0% shooting, as UCLA again finished 300 (140 in the Pac-8 conference). 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