Bill Walton's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Bill Walton.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

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: Helix wins CIF Championship

In 1970, Helix High, led by Bill Walton, won another California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Championship, finishing the season 33-0.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Sullivan Award

In 1973, Walton was the recipient of the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States.

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.

1974: Naismith College Player of the Year

In 1974, Walton was awarded the Naismith College Player of the Year for the third time.

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.

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.

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: 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 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).

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 Plays a Career-High in Games

In 1984, Bill Walton played a then-career-high 67 games in 1984-85, after extensive rehabilitation.

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.

1991: Walton Earns Emmy Award

In 1991, Bill Walton earned an Emmy Award for his work as a sportscaster.

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.

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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.

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.

2018: CoSIDA Dick Enberg Award

In 2018, Bill Walton won the CoSIDA Dick Enberg Award.

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.