The sports world lost an icon on Monday when basketball Hall of Famer and commentator Bill Walton died at age 71 after a battle with cancer.
Walton was beloved by many, especially his former colleague Jim Gray, who worked with him at several networks, and the two shared a friendship that spanned four decades.
“My heart is broken. Bill Walton was a man’s best friend,” Gray wrote in an email to Fox News Digital. “He was loving, generous, kind, caring, intelligent and so much fun. He loved life, his family, basketball and most of all, people. I always marveled at how he took his time with everyone and never rushed anyone. Bill was a national treasure and brought so much joy to the world.”
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Announcer Jim Gray (right) is pictured with commentator Bill Walton during the Duke vs. Wisconsin game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 6, 2015. (John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
“For 40 years, we laughed together,” he wrote. “He was a repository of knowledge and a fountain of wisdom. He worked for CBS, NBC, ESPN, ABC, Westwood One, and [Sacramento] My journey with the Kings has been strange and wonderful. I am thankful for all the years I spent with Bill. It has been a lifetime blessing. He will forever be in my heart.”
“May God rest his soul in peace and bless Lori, Adam, Chris, Nate and Luke. Fran and I send our love. We will always cherish Bill’s memory and are here for the Walton family as he was always here for us,” Gray continued.
“Bill always said, ‘I’m the luckiest man in the world.’ No, Bill, I am, and we all are, because we knew you. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Walton once called Gray Save his life Walton said he had physical problems nine years ago and was saved by finding a spine surgeon in 2017 when his spine “completely collapsed and failed.” Walton said there was “nothing that could be done” and he envisioned the worst.
Bill Walton will attend State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 17, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
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“My life wasn’t worth living. I was going to kill myself. If I had a gun, I would have used it,” Walton said. “But Jim would call me every day and say, ‘Bill, don’t give up. You can do it.’ He did everything he could to make sure I still had a chance.”
Walton won three consecutive MVP awards from 1972 to 1974 and was selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA Draft. His impact on the NBA court was immediate. Trail Blazers The team won the 1978 NBA Championship, and Walton was named Finals MVP and league MVP that season.
After his time in Portland, Walton moved to the then-San Diego Clippers, where he spent four seasons. Moved to Los AngelesHe joined the Celtics for the 1985-1986 season, helping them win the NBA title that year and being named the league’s Sixth Man of the Year.
Walton finished his career with averages of 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 468 games played. He was named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
Walton’s commentary was exceptional, keeping viewers and fellow commentators on their toes with shocking anecdotes from his playing days whilst also providing great analysis and insight into the game.
Walton was also a father who introduced his children to basketball, including Luke Walton, who won consecutive NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Luke served as head coach for the Lakers (2016-2019) and Kings (2019-2022), and is currently an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bill Walton (Ethan Miller/Getty Images/File)
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Chris Walton (San Diego State), Nate Walton (Princeton) and Adam Walton (Louisiana State, Pomona College, Notre Dame) also played college basketball.
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
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