Former President Obama paid tribute to basketball Hall of Fame legend Bill Walton, who died Monday at age 71 from cancer.
“Bill Walton was one of the greatest basketball players of all time, a champion at every level and the epitome of unselfish team play,” Obama said. I have written In a statement on social media platform X.
“He was a wonderful person, filled with curiosity, humour and kindness. We are all saddened by his passing. Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences to his family,” he added.
The National Basketball Association announced Walton’s death on Monday, on behalf of his family.
Walton was a two-time NCAA champion and two-time NBA champion at UCLA and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He was the NBA MVP in 1977-78, the league’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1985-86 and a member of the league’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. He was named UCLA’s Player of the Year three times.
After numerous injuries, Walton turned to broadcasting, for which he won an Emmy Award and was named one of the top 50 sportscasters of all time by the American Sportscasters Association.
Tributes poured in Monday following news of Walton’s death, with the Associated Press calling him “one of baseball’s most beloved figures.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he was “truly one of a kind.”
“I am saddened today to hear of the passing of my comrade and one of the most beloved champions and figures in sports,” fellow Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving wrote on social media. “Bill Walton enjoyed life in every sense of the word, and it was the blessing of my life to compete and work alongside him.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
