Bill Walton is an American former basketball player and a television sports caster. Walton formerly played for John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins and led UCLA to NCAA championships in 1972 and 1973, with an 88-game winning streak. During his time at college he won three successive National college Player of the Year Awards.
In 1974, Walton was selected as the first overall pick in that year’s NBA draft. In 1977 he led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA Championship and that season he earnt the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award. In 1986 Walton won another NBA title, playing for the Boston Celtics. He was enviably inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
Walton’s early career in the National Basketball Association was very successful, however due to multiple foot injuries requiring surgeries; his professional career was significantly affected. After playing for the San Diege/Los Angeles Clippers for 4 seasons, he later joined the Boston Celtics, as a back-up center. In the 1985-86 season, Walton earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, winning his second championship that same season.
After retiring from the NBA, Walton entered a career as a sports caster, working both as a colour commentator and studio analyst, mostly for ESPN. In 1991, he earned an Emmy Award for his sports casting feats. Walton’s career after basketball has been undeniably successful; on top of sports casting, he has hosted several podcasts and satellite radio programs featuring the music of the Grateful Dead, who he is a noted fan of.