Bill Walton was the ultimate champion of the Pac-12. The UCLA Bruins legend, who is enshrined in the College and Professional Basketball Hall of Fame, passed away at 71 on Monday after a battle with cancer.
Walton had an exceptional career on the court, winning two NBA Championships, one with the Portland Trailblazers, and one with the Boston Celtics, along with the NBA’s MVP award in 1978. But he was just as well-known for his career as a broadcaster with ESPN and the Pac-12 Network.
During his career as an analyst, Walton was a part of many moments in Washington Huskies history. He would always proclaim his love for the Seattle and Pacific Northwest on the air anytime he was on the call, often while barking like a dog to honor the Huskies.
Many members of the Washington community were among those who took to social media to mourn his loss and pay their respects to the basketball icon.