History of Bill Walton in Timeline
Bill Walton was a celebrated American basketball player and sportscaster. He achieved collegiate success with the UCLA Bruins, followed by a professional career in the NBA, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics. His accomplishments led to his induction into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in basketball.
November 5, 1952: Bill Walton's birth
On November 5, 1952, William Theodore Walton III, later known as Bill Walton, was born. He went on to become an American basketball player and television sportscaster.
1967: Starts Attending Grateful Dead Concerts
In 1967, Bill Walton started attending Grateful Dead concerts while still in high school.
1967: Rockets come to town
In 1967, while Walton was in high school, the NBA expansion San Diego Rockets came to town and would often play pick-up games at Helix High School, using Walton's gym key to access the facilities.
1968: Walton's High School Junior Year
In 1968, Denny Crum scouted Bill Walton as a high school junior, being impressed by his playing abilities.
1968: Denny Crum Scouts Walton
In 1968, Hall of Fame Coach Denny Crum scouted Bill Walton, then a high school junior. Crum was highly impressed, calling Walton the best high school player he'd ever seen.
1969: Helix wins CIF Championship
In 1969, Bill Walton led Helix High to a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championship, finishing the season 29-2.
1969: Walton makes 384 of 490 shot attempts
In 1969–70, as a senior, Walton made 384 of 490 shot attempts, with 78.3 percent, still the all-time national record.
1970: Negative Coaching Experience at World Championship
In 1970, Bill Walton had a negative experience at the FIBA World Championship, which exposed him to negative coaching and berating of players.
1970: Walton featured in Sports Illustrated
In 1970, Bill Walton was featured in the "Faces in the Crowd" section of the January 26 issue of Sports Illustrated, marking his first national media recognition.
1970: Helix wins CIF Championship
In 1970, Helix High, led by Bill Walton, won another California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championship, finishing the season 33-0.
1970: Walton on UCLA freshman team
In 1970–71, Walton was a member of the 20–0 UCLA freshman team, scoring 18.1 ppg and shooting with 68.6% field goal accuracy.
1970: Walton Plays in FIBA World Championship
In the summer of 1970, Bill Walton, at age 17, represented the U.S. national basketball team at the 1970 FIBA World Championship. The team finished fifth, and Walton played minimally in five games.
1971: Walton joins UCLA Bruins
In 1971, Bill Walton began playing for UCLA under Coach Wooden. He led the Bruins to two consecutive 30-0 seasons.
1971: UCLA wins NCAA Championship
In 1971, the varsity UCLA team, led by seniors Sidney Wicks, Curtis Rowe, and Steve Patterson, defeated Villanova in the NCAA Championship Game for UCLA's fifth consecutive NCAA title.
1971: UCLA Basketball Team Season
In the 1971–72 season, the UCLA basketball team had a record of 30–0, winning games by an average margin of more than 30 points. The team finished 14–0 in the Pac 8 Conference.
1971: All-American Selection
Overall in 30 games in 1971–72, Walton averaged 21.1 points and 15.5 rebounds, shooting 64.0% from the field. He was named first-team All-American.
1972: UCLA's NCAA Championship
In 1972, Bill Walton led UCLA to an NCAA championship as the starting center under coach John Wooden.
1972: Walton Declines to Participate in Olympics
In 1972, Bill Walton was selected to the U.S. Olympic basketball team but declined to participate, potentially due to his opposition to the Vietnam War or his negative experience at the 1970 World Championships.
1972: USBWA College Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year
In 1972, Walton received the USBWA College Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year as the top college basketball player.
1972: U.S. Loses to Soviet Union in Controversial Olympic Final
In 1972, the United States controversially lost to the Soviet Union in the men's basketball final at the Olympics. Some believe that Bill Walton's absence from the team contributed to the loss.
1972: NCAA Final Four
In the 1972 Final Four, Walton had 33 points and 21 rebounds against Louisville, and 24 points and 20 rebounds in the championship game against Florida State. He was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
1972: UCLA Season Record
In the 1972–73 season, UCLA again finished 30–0 overall and 14–0 in the Pac-8 conference, winning its games by an average margin of more than 20 points.
1972: Walton Named Consensus All-American
Overall in 1972–73, Walton averaged 20.4 points and 16.9 rebounds in 30 games on 65.0% shooting. Walton was named a consensus All-American.
1973: Bruce Walton Joins Dallas Cowboys
In 1973, Bill Walton's brother, Bruce Walton, joined the National Football League with the Dallas Cowboys.
1973: UCLA's NCAA Championship and an 88-game winning streak
In 1973, Walton led UCLA to another NCAA championship and contributed to an 88-game winning streak.
1973: Drafted by the Dallas Chaparrals
In 1973, Walton was drafted by the American Basketball Association's Dallas Chaparrals, however, Walton had no interest in turning pro at that time.
1973: Sullivan Award
In 1973, Walton was the recipient of the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States.
1973: UCLA wins national semifinal
In the 1973 Final Four, the Bruins won the national semifinal 70–59 over Indiana. Walton had 14 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
1973: Walton leads UCLA to NCAA title
In the 1973 NCAA title game against Memphis State, Walton scored 44 points on near-perfect 21 of 22 shooting, leading the Bruins to a seventh straight title. He was the tournament's most outstanding player.
1973: UCLA reaches Final Four
In the 1973 NCAA tournament, UCLA defeated Arizona State and San Francisco to reach the Final Four, with Walton performing strongly in both games.
January 19, 1974: UCLA's 88-game winning streak ends
On January 19, 1974, UCLA's 88-game winning streak ended with a 71–70 loss at Notre Dame. Walton played with a back brace due to an earlier injury.
1974: Walton's Rookie Season
In 1974, Bill Walton's rookie season in the NBA saw him average a double-double with 12.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks in 35 games for the Trail Blazers, who finished with a 38-44 record.
1974: UCLA's title streak broken
In 1974, North Carolina State defeated UCLA in double overtime in the NCAA semi-finals, breaking UCLA's record seven consecutive national titles. Walton scored 29 points in the loss.
1974: Naismith College Player of the Year
In 1974, Walton was awarded the Naismith College Player of the Year for the third time.
1974: Drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers
In 1974, Walton was selected as the number one overall pick by the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA draft, and he subsequently signed with the team.
1974: Walton wins third consecutive national college player of the year award
In 1974, Walton won his third consecutive national college player of the year award.
1974: Walton's last year at UCLA
In 1974, during Walton's senior year, UCLA's 88-game winning streak ended with a loss to Notre Dame.
1974: ABA's San Diego Conquistadors Tried to Persuade Walton to Sign
In 1974, the ABA's San Diego Conquistadors tried to persuade Walton to sign with them, after drafting him in the 1974 ABA draft. Walton was not swayed.
1974: UCLA defeats Dayton and San Francisco to reach Final Four
In the 1974 NCAA tournament, UCLA defeated Dayton and San Francisco to reach the Final Four, with Walton making significant contributions.
1975: Bruce Walton Plays in Super Bowl X
In 1975, Bill Walton's brother, Bruce Walton, played in Super Bowl X, making Bill and Bruce the only brothers to play in both the Super Bowl and NBA Finals.
1975: Walton's Second Season
In 1975, Bill Walton's second season in the NBA, he averaged 16.1 points, 13.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks in 51 games for the Trail Blazers. The team finished the season with a 37-45 record.
1976: Trail Blazers Become Cinderella Team
In 1976, Bill Walton played in 65 games during the NBA season. Under new head coach Jack Ramsay and with the addition of Maurice Lucas, the Trail Blazers transformed into the Cinderella team of the NBA.
1977: Trail Blazers Win NBA Championship; Walton Named Finals MVP
In 1977, Bill Walton led the Portland Trail Blazers to an NBA Championship victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. Walton was named the NBA Finals MVP for his performance, averaging 18.5 points, 19.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 3.7 blocks. He scored 20 points and grabbed 23 rebounds in the clinching Game 6 victory.
1977: Walton Leads Blazers to Western Conference Finals
In 1977, Bill Walton led the Portland Trail Blazers to series victories over the Chicago Bulls and the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Playoffs. He played against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in a sweep against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Walton finished second in voting for the NBA's Most Valuable Player award that season.
1977: Foot Injury with the Trailblazers
In 1977, Bill Walton suffered a foot injury while playing for the Trailblazers, which later led to a lawsuit against the team doctor for negligence in diagnosing and treating it.
1977: Walton leads Portland Trail Blazers to NBA Championship
In 1977, Walton led the Portland Trail Blazers to their first and only NBA championship, earning the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
1978: Walton sits out the season
After his MVP season, Walton sat out the 1978–79 season due to foot injuries.
1978: Travels to Egypt with Grateful Dead
In 1978, Bill Walton traveled with the Grateful Dead to Egypt for their performances at the Giza pyramid complex.
1978: Walton Wins NBA MVP Award
In 1978, Bill Walton won the NBA Most Valuable Player award and the Sporting News NBA MVP. He also played in his only NBA All-Star Game and was named to both the NBA's First All-Defensive Team and the All-NBA First Team. During the season, a broken foot sidelined him.
1978: Walton named NBA Most Valuable Player
In 1978, Walton was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).
1978: Walton Injured in Playoffs, Never Plays for Blazers Again
In 1978, during the NBA playoffs, Bill Walton was injured in the second game of the Western Conference Semifinal series against the Seattle SuperSonics, and was lost for the remainder of the playoffs. After receiving a painkilling injection to play, X-rays revealed a broken navicular bone in his left ankle. Walton would never play for the Trail Blazers again.
1978: Injuries Limit Career
In 1978, injuries and surgeries started to severely limit Bill Walton's NBA career.
May 13, 1979: Walton Signs with San Diego Clippers
On May 13, 1979, Bill Walton signed with the San Diego Clippers as a veteran free agent. The Portland Trail Blazers received Kevin Kunnert, Kermit Washington and a 1980 first-round draft pick (Mike Gminski) as compensation.
1979: Walton Demands Trade, Sits Out Season
In 1979, Bill Walton demanded to be traded from the Portland Trail Blazers, citing issues with the treatment of injuries by the team's front office. As a result, he sat out the entire season in protest. He eventually signed with the San Diego Clippers as a free agent later that year.
1979: Walton's Holdout Year
In 1979, Bill Walton had a year-long holdout. This was one of the factors that limited the number of regular season games he played in his 13-year career.
1979: Marriage to Susie
In 1979, Bill Walton married his first wife, Susie, whom he met while attending UCLA.
1979: Walton's First Season with Clippers, Suffers Injury
In 1979, Bill Walton played 14 games for the San Diego Clippers in his first season. However, he re-fractured the navicular bone during the exhibition game.
1979: Initial Injury with Clippers
In 1979, during his first season with the San Diego Clippers, Bill Walton re-fractured the navicular bone in the fourth exhibition game, leading to extensive rehabilitation.
1980: Walton Misses Seasons Due to Injury
In 1980, after re-fracturing his navicular bone during the exhibition game in 1979, Bill Walton missed all of the 1980-81 and 1981-82 NBA seasons, undergoing several surgeries on his injured foot.
1980: Trail Blazers Receive Draft Pick as Compensation for Walton
In 1980, as compensation for Bill Walton signing with the San Diego Clippers the previous year, the Portland Trail Blazers received a first-round draft pick (Mike Gminski) from the Clippers.
1981: Walton Undergoes Foot Surgery
In 1981, Bill Walton underwent surgery to restructure his left foot. His high arch, which made the foot bones susceptible to breaking, was lowered to relieve the stress on the bones.
1981: Attends Stanford Law School
In the fall of 1981, Bill Walton attended Stanford Law School while playing for the Clippers, though he did not graduate.
1982: Walton's Foot Improves Following Rehab
In 1982, following extensive rehabilitation, which included biking and sand volleyball, Bill Walton's foot began to improve after a prolonged period of injuries.
1983: Walton Plays One Game per Week
In 1983, after playing only 14 games from 1979 to 1982, Bill Walton played 33 games under doctor's orders to play about one game per week during the 1982-83 season.
1984: Walton Considers Celtics and Lakers
Following the 1984-85 NBA campaign, Bill Walton called on two of the league's premier teams, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
1984: Walton Plays a Career-High in Games
In 1984, Bill Walton played a then-career-high 67 games in 1984-85, after extensive rehabilitation.
September 6, 1985: Walton Traded to Boston Celtics
On September 6, 1985, Bill Walton was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Boston Celtics for Cedric Maxwell and a 1986 1st round draft pick (Arvydas Sabonis was later selected).
1985: Walton Joins the Boston Celtics
In 1985, Bill Walton joined the Boston Celtics and played a career-high 80 games for Coach KC Jones.
1985: Walton Receives Standing Ovation in Boston Garden
In 1985, Bill Walton received a one-minute standing ovation from the Boston home crowd when he walked onto the court for his first exhibition game in a Celtics uniform in the Boston Garden.
1985: Larry Bird Comments on Walton's Impact
In 1985, Larry Bird stated that adding Bill Walton to the Celtics roster really helped, emphasizing the importance of Walton's health and Robert Parish's acceptance of Walton's role.
1985: Walton Wishes to Move to Winning Franchise
In 1985, at age 32, Bill Walton wished to move to a winning franchise and reached out to teams after the season ended. He had played 169 games with the Clippers.
1985: Walton wins NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award
In the 1985–86 season, playing as a backup center for the Celtics, Walton earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
1986: Celtics Win NBA Championship
In 1986, Bill Walton helped the Boston Celtics defeat the Houston Rockets 4-2 to win the NBA Championship, averaging 8.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks in 19 minutes.
1986: Walton Wins NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and NBA Championship
In 1986, Bill Walton received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. He became the only player to have won an NBA Finals MVP, Sixth Man Award, and regular season MVP.
1986: Walton Injured During the Regular Season
In 1986, Bill Walton was injured again during the 1986-87 regular season.
1986: Celtics Use Draft Pick from Walton Trade
In 1986, The Boston Celtics used the first-round draft pick acquired in the trade that sent Bill Walton from the Los Angeles Clippers to select Arvydas Sabonis.
1986: Walton Returns to Postseason
In 1986, at age 33, Bill Walton experienced his first taste of the NBA postseason in nearly a decade. Backing up McHale and Parish, he played as the Celtics swept the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference first round.
1987: Walton Returns for Playoffs
In 1987, Bill Walton returned in time for the playoffs after being injured again during the 1986-87 regular season where he only played in ten games.
1987: Walton on Celtics Injured List
In 1987, Bill Walton spent the 1987-88 season on the Boston Celtics' injured list.
1989: Divorce from Susie
In 1989, Bill Walton and his first wife, Susie, divorced.
February 1990: Walton Retires From NBA
In February 1990, Bill Walton attempted a comeback but injuries intervened and he retired as a player.
1990: Analyst for Los Angeles Clippers
In 1990, Bill Walton started working as a rotating analyst with Ralph Lawler on local Los Angeles Clippers telecasts, a position he held for over a decade.
1991: Walton Earns Emmy Award
In 1991, Bill Walton earned an Emmy Award for his work as a sportscaster.
1991: Marriage to Lori Matsuoka
In 1991, Bill Walton married his second wife, Lori Matsuoka.
1992: Analyst for Los Angeles Clippers and NBC
In 1992, Bill Walton became the sole analyst for Los Angeles Clippers telecasts. He also joined NBC, beginning his prominent run as an analyst for both NBA and college basketball coverage from 1992.
1993: Top College Basketball Analyst for NBC
From 1993 to 1998, Bill Walton became NBC's top college basketball analyst, paired with Don Criqui, Tom Hammond, and Dick Enberg.
1993: Bartow Reflects on 1973 Championship Game
In 1993, Gene Bartow reflected on the 1973 NCAA championship game, acknowledging Walton's dominant performance.
1998: End of NBC College Basketball Coverage
In 1998, Bill Walton's tenure as NBC's top college basketball analyst ended with the conclusion of the network's college basketball coverage.
2001: Emmy Award for Best Live Sports Television Broadcast
In 2001, Bill Walton received an Emmy Award for "Best Live Sports Television Broadcast".
2001: Inducted into The Grateful Dead Hall of Honor
In 2001, Bill Walton was inducted into The Grateful Dead Hall of Honor.
2001: Coverage of NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
In 2001, Bill Walton was loaned out by NBC to CBS to help with CBS's coverage of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
2002: Analyst for ESPN and ABC
In 2002, Bill Walton joined ESPN and ABC as one of their lead in-game and studio analysts, following his time with NBC.
2003: Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip TV Series
In 2003, Bill Walton's TV series "Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip" aired on ESPN, with Walton as the subject and star.
2004: Voice Acting for NBA ShootOut 2004
In 2004, Bill Walton lent his voice to the video game NBA ShootOut 2004.
2004: Walton Explains Decision to Decline Olympics
In a 2004 interview with ESPN, Bill Walton stated the reason he declined to participate in the 1972 Olympics was due to a negative coaching experience he had at the 1970 World Championships.
November 2009: Leaves ESPN Due to Back Problems
In November 2009, Bill Walton left ESPN after 19 years due to back problems dating back to a college injury.
2009: Walton Returns to Portland, Apologizes for Past
In 2009, Bill Walton returned to Portland and publicly apologized for his past mistakes and the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Trail Blazers.
2009: Spinal Fusion Surgery
In 2009, Bill Walton underwent an eight-hour spinal-fusion surgery, requiring titanium rods and bolts in his back, leaving him unable to move freely for a year.
2009: "The Malice at the Palace" Commentator
In 2009, Bill Walton was on the call with Mike Breen for The Malice at the Palace, the infamous brawl in NBA history. Walton expressed his disgust, calling it "a disgrace".
2009: Luke Walton Wins NBA Championship with Lakers
In 2009, Bill Walton's son, Luke Walton, won the NBA Finals with the Lakers.
2009: Walton undergoes back surgery
In 2009, Walton underwent corrective surgery for a back injury sustained in 1974.
June 8, 2010: Admission of Suicidal Thoughts
In a June 8, 2010, interview on The Dan Patrick Show, Bill Walton admitted to contemplating suicide due to chronic pain from NBA injuries.
2010: Luke Walton Wins Another NBA Championship with Lakers
In 2010, Bill Walton's son, Luke Walton, won another NBA Finals with the Lakers, making them the first father-son pair to have both won multiple NBA championships.
2010: Part-Time Commentator for Sacramento Kings
In 2010, after back surgery, Bill Walton returned to broadcasting as a part-time commentator for the Sacramento Kings.
2010: Ramsay Calls Walton Best Blazer
In 2010, coach Jack Ramsay called Bill Walton the best Portland Trail Blazer ever, highlighting his complete vision of the floor, excellent fundamentals, and great passing ability. Ramsay also expressed frustration over Walton's injuries.
2011: Appearance in Capital One Commercials
In 2011, Bill Walton appeared as Sven the Wise in the Capital One Visigoth SportsNet commercials.
2011: Commentator for Sacramento Kings
In 2011, Bill Walton continued his role as a part-time commentator for the Sacramento Kings.
July 2012: Returns to Broadcasting with Pac-12 Network
In July 2012, ESPN and the Pac-12 Network announced Bill Walton's return to full-time broadcasting as a game analyst for Pac-12 conference basketball coverage.
2013: Liner Notes for Dave's Picks Volume 5
In 2013, Bill Walton wrote the liner notes for the Grateful Dead live album Dave's Picks Volume 5.
2015: Visit to Ken Kesey Collection
In 2015, Bill Walton visited the Ken Kesey Collection at the University of Oregon and wrote the foreword to the book "Unconditional Honor: Wounded Warriors and their Dogs" by Cathy Scott.
March 2016: Publication of Memoir
In March 2016, Bill Walton's memoir, "Back from the Dead: Searching for the Sound, Shining the Light and Throwing It Down", was released by Simon & Schuster.
April 2016: Memoir on Bestseller List
In April 2016, Bill Walton's memoir, "Back from the Dead: Searching for the Sound, Shining the Light and Throwing It Down", remained on The New York Times bestseller list for two weeks.
2016: Luke Walton Becomes Head Coach of the Lakers
In 2016, Bill Walton's son, Luke Walton, became the head coach of the Lakers after serving as an assistant for the Golden State Warriors.
2018: CoSIDA Dick Enberg Award
In 2018, Bill Walton won the CoSIDA Dick Enberg Award.
January 2019: Mention of Ghostbusters Appearance During Broadcast
During a Washington–Oregon game broadcast in January 2019 with Dave Pasch, Bill Walton mentioned his appearance in the movie Ghostbusters.
April 2019: Luke Walton Named Head Coach of Sacramento Kings
In April 2019, Bill Walton's son, Luke Walton, was named head coach of the Sacramento Kings.
October 2020: Narration of Fire on the Mountain
In October 2020, Bill Walton narrated Fire on the Mountain, an action sports documentary featuring Grateful Dead songs, which aired on ESPN.
2021: Walton Ranked Among NBA's Greatest
In 2021, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary, The Athletic ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Bill Walton as the 64th greatest player in NBA history.
2023: Liner Notes for Dave's Picks Volume 48
In 2023, Bill Walton wrote the liner notes for the Grateful Dead live album Dave's Picks Volume 48.
May 27, 2024: Bill Walton's death
On May 27, 2024, Bill Walton passed away. He was an American basketball player and television sportscaster. He played collegiately for the UCLA Bruins and professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
May 30, 2024: Dead & Company Memorial Montage
On May 30, 2024, Dead & Company featured a memorial montage to Bill Walton during a performance of "Fire on the Mountain" at their concert at the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada.
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