Bill Walton - Jack Ramsay once said that if injuries hadn't curtailed Bill Walton's career, he would have been recognized as the best all-around center ever. You'd find few that would disagree. Walton was a team leader on defense. He was a superb rebounder and outlet passer on the fast break. Offensively, Walton could score from the post position, his best move being a jump hook that he shot with either hand. Above all, Walton set the tone for his teammates. He was all business on the court and his success is well chronicled.
On the evening of March 26, 1973, Bill Walton forever etched his name into the history books as perhaps the greatest college player ever. By the time Bill Walton finished his professional career in 1986, most basketball observers considered him to be one of the greatest centers ever. On that magical night in St. Louis, Walton became a basketball icon. In the championship game of the NCAA tournament against Memphis State, the big redhead from San Diego, CA, canned 21 of 22 shots, scored 44 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and led UCLA to the NCAA title. Some would suggest it was just another day at the office for Walton. He led the Bruins to an 86-4 record and was a vital member of UCLA teams that won 88 straight games. Walton was a three-time All-America, The Sporting News Player of the Year three straight years and MVP of the 1972 and 1973 NCAA tournaments. He finished his collegiate career with 1,767 points (20.3 ppg) and 1,370 rebounds (15.7 rpg).
Although chronic foot and knee injuries prohibited Walton from enjoying an extended professional career, he was the consummate team player. His deft passing, shooting, jumping and running skills led the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship. He was named league MVP and All-NBA First Team in 1978 after averaging 18.9 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 5.0 assists and 2.5 blocks. In addition, Walton also earned All-Defensive First Team honors in 1977 and 1978. In 1979, Walton became a member of the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers (1979-85), and in 1986, helped lead the Boston Celtics to the NBA championship, the year he won the NBA's Sixth Man Award. In 1991, Walton was recipient of the prestigious NBA Players Association Oscar Robertson Leadership Award. Still extremely active in basketball, Walton can be heard and seen as a basketball television analyst on NBC professional and collegiate games and on Los Angeles Clippers' broadcasts.
