UCLA, 1974
• 1972 Academic All-America® First Team
• 1973 Academic All-America® First Team
• 1974 Academic All-America® First Team
Bill Walton was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Hall of Fame in 1994.
Current outspoken color commentator for the NBA, William Theodore “Bill” Walton, is an institution in the world of basketball. The California-native began playing basketball in fourth grade and played for the 1970 FIBA World Champion United States Men’s National Basketball team at age 17 before joining UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden. At starting center for three seasons from 1972-1974, Walton achieved dynamism both on and off the court. As a scholar, Walton was a three-time Academic All-America and graduated with honors and a bachelor’s degree in history in 1974. As an athlete, Walton achieved accolades all three years as a starter. He was a respective three-time winner as an All-American, NCAA Player of the Year, Adolph Rupp Trophy winner, Naismith College Player of the Year, USBWA College Player of the Year, and Pacific 8 All Conference first team player. In 1973 he won the Sullivan Award for the United States’ Best Amateur Athlete and led the Bruins in an unrivaled 88-game winning streak.
Walton’s professional career began with the Portland Trailblazers as the number one overall pick in the 1974 NBA draft. Though his first few seasons were marred by personal injuries, Walton helped lead the Trailblazers to a 1977 NBA Championship. Throughout continued injuries, Walton continued his NBA career, playing for the Trailblazers from 1974-1979, the San Diego Clippers from 1979-1984, the relocated Los Angeles Clippers in 1985, and the Boston Celtics from 1985-1988. His ankle injuries became so severe that years after his retirement Walton had them surgically fused. As a strong all-around player, many believe that if injuries had not abridged his career, Walton would have been known as one of the NBA’s finest centers of all time. Even so, during his professional NBA career Walton was named 1978 MVP, a two-time All Star from 1977-1978, the Finals MVP in 1977, All-NBA First Team selection in 1978, All-NBA Second Team selection in 1977, a two-time All-Defensive First Team selection in 1977-1978, and Sixth Man of the Year in 1986. As a solid part of the Celtics’ 1986 Championship, Walton earned the Sixth Man of the Year award and became the only player to have ever won an NBA Finals MVP, Sixth Man Award, and regular season MVP.