SAN DIEGO — San Diego sports icon Bill Walton died Monday after a long fight with cancer. He was 71.
Local and national leaders, as well as San Diego organizations, paid tribute to Walton, a San Diego fixture.
Here are some of the people and organizations who are remembering the two-time NBA champion and Helix High alum.
Former President Barack Obama
In a statement on X Monday afternoon, Obama said "Bill Walton was one of the greatest basketball players of all time – a champion at every level and the embodiment of unselfish team play. He was also a wonderful spirit full of curiosity, humor and kindness. We are poorer for his passing, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family."
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
"San Diego mourns the loss of the legendary Bill Walton today. He was a towering figure in basketball and broadcasting as well as a civic icon who loved his hometown. Our city’s thoughts are with his wife, Lori, and the entire Walton family. Godspeed, Bill," Gloria said in a statement from the Mayor's Office.
YMCA of San Diego County
Walton was an active member of the Mission Valley YMCA, the organization said in a statement. He regularly enjoyed aqua therapy, and his positive attitude, enthusiasm and sense of humor left a mark on members.
His playful side lives on at the YMCA. He requested a sign outside an extra tall showerhead installed in the locker room that read "Only tall people use the shower." It brings smiles to many and stands as a tribute to his "fun-loving nature."
"Walton has left an incredible mark on San Diego by being a passionate force for boundless generosity and unwavering determination to inspire those around him," the statement said. "Our Y team is grateful to have had his light shined upon us."
To honor Walton's memory, the YMCA said it would reaffirm its commitment to upholding Walton's values of community service, passion and empathy for youth development through sports.
"His legacy will continue to thrive through the countless lives he touched and the positive changes he inspired," the YMCA said. "We are deeply grateful to have had Bill as part of our Y family and extend our heartfelt condolences to his entire family and community of friends."
Challenged Athletes Foundation
Walton was a big supporter of the San Diego-based Challenged Athletes Foundation, a nonprofit that helps people with physical disabilities get involved with fitness and sports.
Walton rode thousands of miles on behalf of CAF, the organization wrote in an Instagram post.
"He was so often heard sharing the sentiment 'I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I get to ride my bike today.'
Bill… the world was even luckier to have you, especially as part of Team CAF. Your kindness and generous support have helped hundreds of CAF athletes redefine themselves through sport. May you rest in peace knowing your time on this planet has touched so many lives."
LA Clippers
The LA Clippers called Walton "synonymous with Southern California basketball" and "one of the greatest players and personalities that this franchise, this sport and this region have ever known."
"He defined the game as a player, a broadcaster and an ambassador, spreading joy for generations. Wherever he went, whatever he did, Big Red stood above the crowd. The Clippers organization extends our deepest condolences to the Walton family, as well as our utmost gratitude. Bill was a singular force, and we were privileged to know him," the organization posted on X.
ESPN
ESPN posted a compilation of clips of Walton from basketball broadcasts.
"There will never be another quite like Bill Walton. His ESPN family will miss him dearly," the post read.
NCAA
"A legend of the game forever," posted the NCAA March Madness account on X.