Bill Walton.

Bill Walton was born on November 5, 1952, in La Mesa, California. He attended Helix High School, graduating in 1970. He had an older brother, Bruce Walton, who also played in the NBA. During his adolescence, Walton overcame a severe stuttering disorder, a challenge he later spoke about openly. His passion for basketball emerged early, and by high school he was already a standout, earning All-State honors.

Walton played for UCLA from 1970 to 1974 under coach John Wooden. In the 1973 NCAA Championship Game against Memphis State, Walton delivered the greatest individual performance in college basketball history, making 21 of 22 field goals and scoring 44 points with 13 rebounds in an 87-66 victory. He earned three consecutive College Player of the Year awards and led UCLA to NCAA titles in 1972 and 1973.

Selected first overall in the 1974 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Walton led the team to an NBA championship in 1977, earning Finals MVP honors. He won the NBA MVP award in 1978 despite missing games due to foot problems. After several injury-plagued seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, Walton joined the Boston Celtics in 1985 and won a second championship in 1986, earning the NBA Sixth Man Award. Foot injuries caused him to miss more than half of his team’s games from 1974 to 1988, ending his playing career.

Walton married Susan Kay Guth in 1979; they divorced in 1989. He later married Lori Kay Matsuoka in 1991, and they remained together until his death. Walton had four sons—Luke, Adam, Nathan, and Christopher—all of whom played college basketball. Luke Walton, the most notable, played for the University of Arizona and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2003. Walton was an avid fan of the Grateful Dead, following the band on tour and hosting a show called Bill Walton’s Long, Strange Trip. He also worked with the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inducted Bill Walton in 1993. The NBA named Walton to its 50th Anniversary Team in 1996, and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2006. His 21-for-22 shooting in the 1973 NCAA title game remains a benchmark. After retirement, Walton became a basketball commentator known for his enthusiastic style and frequent Grateful Dead references. UCLA inducted Walton into its Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class in 1984, and the California Sports Hall of Fame followed in 2010. Walton’s college career remains among the most decorated, with three Player of the Year awards and two NCAA titles.