Wednesday, 06 May 2026

Bill Walton

Contest: The US Athletics Hall of Fame - Athletes 2026
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Sport(s): Basketball
Statistics & Accolades: 2 NBA Championships (1977 & 1986)
1 All-NBA First Team Selection (1978)
2 All-Defensive First Team Selections (1977 & 1978)
2 NBA All-Star Games (1977 & 1978)
1 NBA Rebounding Title (1977)
1 NBA Blocks Title (1977)
2 NCAA Championships (1972 & 1973)
3 National College Player of the Year Awards (1972, 1973 & 1974)
2 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player Awards (1972 & 1973)
3-Time First Team All-American (1972, 1973 & 1974)
1 James E. Sullivan Award (1973)
6,215 NBA Points
4,923 NBA Rebounds
1,590 NBA Assists
Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame
Number Retired by the Portland Trail Blazers
Number Retired by the UCLA Bruins
Named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team
Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team
When you ask the question of who was among the greatest Centers in college basketball history, Bill Walton will enter the conversation.

When you ask the question of who was among the greatest Centers in professional basketball history, Bill Walton will enter the conversation.

During his time at UCLA under coach John Wooden, Walton proudly led the Bruins to two straight undefeated seasons in 1972 and 1973, along with an incredible 88-game winning streak. He was honored as a three-time consensus first-team All-American and was named the National College Player of the Year from 1972 to 1974. His remarkable performance in the 1973 NCAA title game, where he scored 44 points on an astonishing 21-of-22 shooting, is still remembered as one of the most outstanding displays in sports history.

Walton's NBA career was marked by moments of brilliance overshadowed by physical challenges, notably chronic foot and back injuries that confined him to only 468 regular-season games. Despite these obstacles, he guided the Portland Trail Blazers to their sole NBA title in 1977, where he was named Finals MVP, and then secured the regular-season MVP in 1978. Later, he became a vital reserve for the Boston Celtics, earning the 1986 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award and helping secure his second championship.

After his playing career ended, Walton became a beloved broadcaster.

We are proud to nominate Bill Walton for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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