NBA star and ESPN commentator turned 71

Bill Walton, the gregarious NBA star who later became an ESPN commentator and was known as a loyal Grateful Dead fan, has died, the NBA confirmed Monday. He was 71.

Walton played for four NBA teams and won two championships during his more than decade-long career in the league, which ended in 1987. He was a college star at UCLA and was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1993.

“Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “Bill then transferred his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcast work, where he provided insightful and colorful commentary that entertained generations of basketball fans. But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events – always in good spirits, with a big smile and always ready to share his wisdom and warmth. I cherished our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took for each person he met.”

Walton joined ESPN’s commentary roster in 2002, covering NBA and college basketball games.

In 2023, Walton’s life and career were honored with the documentary “The Luckiest Guy in the World.”

There’s more to come