SAN DIEGO — San Diego sports legend Bill Walton died Monday, May 27, after a long fight with cancer. He was 71 years old.
Walton was born and raised in La Mesa and played basketball at Helix High School. Following high school Walton went to UCLA and then to the NBA where he won two titles, one as a center for the Portland Trailblazers and the other with the Boston Celtics. Walton also played for the then-San Diego Clippers basketball team before his final stop playing for the Boston Celtics.
“This is a sad day and a tough loss,” said former CBS 8 Sports Director Ted Leitner. He said, in his opinion, Walton was “the greatest player ever to come out of San Diego – in any sport.”
Walton then went on to broadcasting, where he covered some of the biggest professional and college games.
Walton was also a San Diego fixture, often seen riding his bike near his Balboa Park home.
Former San Diego State basketball coach Steve Fisher was good friends with Walton and appreciated his generosity, especially when it came to making San Diego a better place.
“If you said I need you for 30 minutes, he’d be there for an hour and a half,” Fisher said. “If you say can you come and be at this fundraiser, he was there. He did so much for so many people in this area.”
In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Walton "was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular season and Finals MVP."
Added Commissioner Silver, "What I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events - always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth."
Walton is survived by his wife, Lori, and his sons Adam, Nate, Luke, and Chris.