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William Theodore Walton III Biography

(American Television Sportscaster and Former Professional Basketball Player)

Birthday: November 5, 1952 (Scorpio)

Born In: La Mesa, California, United States

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William Theodore “Bill” Walton III was amongst the best basketball players ever to have graced the game in America. A tall man, he towered with a height of almost 7 feet and became a National Basketball Association (NBA) legend as a league Most Valuable Player. He inspired awe and admiration from his peers and coaches alike when he played for John Wooden’s varsity team UCLA Bruins. He was the most successful player of his college team and won the James E. Sullivan Award for the top amateur athlete in the United States; he is regarded as the best player ever to have played the game at college level by some sports historians. After college he started playing for Portland Trail Blazers joining them at a time when they were going through a really bad streak. The talented young man set off to a blazing start averaging 16.0 ppg in his first seven games. Unfortunately his career was plagued by injuries from the very beginning. He once broke a foot that set off a string of foot and ankle injuries which threatened his career and he was forced to retire untimely. After his retirement he became a successful though somewhat controversial NBA commentator.

Birthday: November 5, 1952 (Scorpio)

Born In: La Mesa, California, United States

6
Basketball Players #352
Sportspersons #1282
Basketball Players #352
Sportspersons #1282
6

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Bill Walton

Died At Age: 71

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Susan Guth (m. 1979–1989)

father: William Theodore

mother: Gloria Anne

siblings: Bruce Walton

children: Adam Walton, Chris Walton, Luke Walton, Nathan Walton

Born Country: United States

Basketball Players American Men

Height: 7'0" (213 cm), 7'0" Males

Died on: May 27, 2024

place of death: San Diego, California, United States

U.S. State: California

More Facts

education: University Of California, Los Angeles

awards: - Player of the Year Awards
1973 - James E. Sullivan Award
- NBA Sixth Man Award
- Sixth Man Award

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You wanted to know

  • 1

    What position did William Theodore Walton III play in basketball?

    William Theodore Walton III played as a center in basketball.

  • 2

    Which NBA teams did William Theodore Walton III play for during his career?

    William Theodore Walton III played for the Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers, and Boston Celtics during his NBA career.

  • 3

    Did William Theodore Walton III win any NBA championships during his career?

    Yes, William Theodore Walton III won two NBA championships, one with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 and one with the Boston Celtics in 1986.

  • 4

    Was William Theodore Walton III inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame?

    Yes, William Theodore Walton III was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

  • 5

    What is William Theodore Walton III known for beyond his basketball career?

    William Theodore Walton III is known for his later career as a sports commentator and analyst, providing expert analysis on basketball games and players.

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Childhood & Early Life
He was born to Gloria Anne and William Theodore Walton in California.
He started playing basketball when he was in the fourth grade.
He went to Helix High School where he was coached by Gordon Nash. He helped his team win the California Interscholastic Federation High School title twice.
He enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1970 and played for John Wooden’s varsity team from 1971 to 1974. He became the backbone of the team and led them to several victories.
In 1971-72, he led the UCLA basketball team to a record of 30-0 and won the games by an average margin of more than 30 points. The team won the national title in 1972 and again in 1973.
During the 1973-74 season, his school won 88 games in a row before losing to the University of Notre Dame.
He graduated from UCLA in 1974.
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Career
He was signed by American Basketball Association’s San Diego Conquistadors upon his graduation. He was also the number one overall pickup in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Portland Trail Blazers were going through a rough streak and had their hopes pinned upon Walton. He did not disappoint—he set off on a roaring start averaging 16.0 ppg and 19.0 rpg as a rookie in his first seven appearances.
However his career was soon hampered by injury problems. He could play only 35 games as a rookie. Even though he helped his team win 11 more games in 1974-75 than in the previous year, he could not utilize his full potential.
By 1975-76 his list of injuries included a broken wrist, sprained ankle, dislocated foot and broken toes.
He had recovered enough to play in the 1976-77 season. The team now had a new head coach Jack Ramsay who encouraged him to give his best. Motivated, he played 65 games and led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA title win over the favourites Philadelphia 76ers.
The next year he helped his team win 50 of their first 60 games before he broke his foot. In 1978 he played in his only All-Star Game.
He again injured himself while playing in a series against the Seattle SuperSonics. In his absence, the Trail Blazers lost the series.
He signed with the San Diego Clippers in 1979 after leaving the Trail Blazers. However he could play only 14 games in the 1979-80 season due to his injuries.
He underwent extensive reconstructive surgeries on his injured foot and went through rehabilitation in order to regain his health and return to the field.
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With improvement in his health he could play 33 games in 1982-83 and 55 games the next season. He regained his form and played 67 games in 1984-85.
He signed a deal with Boston Celtics and played in a career-high of 80 games with them. He won the NBA Sixth Man Award that season.
After yet another injury he spent the 1987-88 season on the injured list. He could not return to the game in spite of his wholehearted efforts, and was forced to retire in 1990.
Post his retirement as a player he remained connected to his favourite sport by becoming a commentator. He had a successful career as a NBA commentator for NBC and the Los Angeles Clippers from 1990 to 2002.
He moved on to be a commentator on ABC/ESPN in 2002. He left ESPN in 2009 because of health reasons.
He became a part-time commentator for the Sacramento Kings and has plans to return to broadcasting as a game analyst.
Major Works

He was regarded as the greatest ever player to have played basketball at the college level. He played in the UCLA’s NCAA men’s team which created the 88-game winning streak record and played a major role in UCLA's record of seven consecutive national titles while he was a student there.

Awards & Achievements

He was named the Naismith College Player of the Year for three consecutive years from 1972 to 1974.

He received NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 1978 while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. The award is given to the best performing player of the season.

Personal Life & Legacy
He was previously married to Susie with whom he has four sons. His son Luke is a professional basketball player.

He married Lori Matsuoka in 1991 and was with her until his death.

William Theodore Walton III died of colorectal cancer on May 27, 2024, at the age of 71.

Facts About William Theodore Walton III

William Theodore Walton III, also known as Bill Walton, was an avid music lover and had a vast collection of vinyl records, with a particular fondness for classic rock.

Walton was a passionate environmentalist and had been actively involved in various conservation efforts, including supporting renewable energy initiatives and advocating for sustainable practices.

He had a towering height of 6 feet and 11 inches. 

Walton was a self-proclaimed bookworm and was known to always carry a book with him wherever he went, often delving into topics ranging from history to philosophy.

In addition to his basketball career, Walton had also dabbled in broadcasting and had become a respected sports commentator, known for his insightful analysis and colorful commentary during games.

See the events in life of William Theodore Walton III in Chronological Order

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- William Theodore Walton III Biography
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