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Bill Walton, NBA Legend, Passes Away at 71

NBA Champion and Hall of Famer

Bill Walton, a two-time NBA champion and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, passed away today at the age of 71. Walton, who had been battling cancer, is survived by his wife Lori and his sons Adam, Nate, Luke, and Chris.

From UCLA to the NBA

Walton's basketball career began at UCLA, where he helped the Bruins win three consecutive national championships from 1971 to 1973. He was named the NCAA's Most Outstanding Player in 1973 and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.

Walton was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft. He helped lead the Blazers to their first NBA Finals appearance in 1977, but his career was often interrupted by injuries.

Legacy and Impact

Despite his injury struggles, Walton was one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. He won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1985 and 1987. He was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 1986 and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.

Walton is remembered as a legendary player, a gifted analyst, and a passionate advocate for mental health awareness.

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