Remembering Bill Walton

The basketball world has lost one of its pioneers, Bill Walton, who could be recognized for his enthusiastic personality. He died at the age of 71, on May 27. He was an American basketball player for the University of California, Los Angeles, and NBA Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, and the Boston Celtics; NBA Hall of Famer; and a television sportscaster.

In my opinion, two voices in sports have the green light to say whatever is on their mind: NBA greats Charles Barkley and Bill Walton. To this day, Walton is arguably the greatest college basketball player of all time.

Under the great coach John Wooden, Walton led the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins to back-toback national titles (1972 and 1973). Walton won national player of the year not once, not twice, but three times in a row. His college basketball resume puts him on the Mount Rushmore of college basketball greats.

At a professional level, Walton went on to have a great career playing three different franchises over a 15- year career. Over that span, Walton was a two-time All- Star, a two-time National Basketball Association champion (one final Most Valuable Player), one MVP, two times All-NBA first team, and two times All-NBA defensive team.

After retiring from basketball, Walton spent 34 years on various networks as a color commentator announcer covering the National Collegiate Athletic Association's basketball games.

Walton will always be remembered for not only the love he gave back to the game of basketball but also the love he gave to the community as a pillar for numerous charities.