Bill Walton. That name will be remembered forever by fans of all kinds. Whether it was from his playing days with the UCLA Bruins, his NBA career, or his days as a broadcaster, the mark Walton left on so many is one-of-a kind.
A day after his passing, the sports world continued to pay tribute to Walton. SOme of the tributes came from greats such as Dick Vitale, with former NBA stars such as Paul Pierce paying homage to Bill Walton.
And, of course, his long-time partner Dave Pasch had plenty of memories to look back on from their days together.
“Bill went out of his way to make you feel good, to make you smile.”
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) May 28, 2024
-Dan Patrick pays tribute to his friend Bill Walton pic.twitter.com/6BpVmLN3bI
Remembering Bill Walton (1952-2024) pic.twitter.com/zP1MSvWbDT
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 28, 2024
"He was as good as the NBA had ever seen at the big man position. He could literally do it all, and he's going to be greatly missed."@ShannonSharpe honors Bill Walton ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9t82upYbFs
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 28, 2024
More Mike Greenberg on Bill Walton: "Bill called in to do his regular appearance. Our segment was about 11 minutes long. And he told our producer, Liam Chapman, 'Just tell Mike & Mike to introduce me and they can go do whatever they want.' And he talked for 11 minutes… he… pic.twitter.com/hHtn2EkbEh
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 28, 2024
This was the last broadcast Bill Walton ever did:
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) May 28, 2024
Washington State-Oregon on Feb. 10.
I never would have known anything was wrong.
What a total gut punch. pic.twitter.com/4BOf9groZ0
My favorite part of the Bill Walton "30 for 30" is when he rebounds for kids at Portland's Wallace Park & they have 0 idea they're in the presence of one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) May 27, 2024
He just tells them he's "Bill." pic.twitter.com/zGxpqXZ8kM
My favorite Bill Walton experience: when he came to visit us at The Jump, saw a framed photo we had on set of Bill Russell (his favorite player), and simply walked over, grabbed it – and took it home. The whole thing was absolutely delightful. What a force; he will be so missed pic.twitter.com/yCwVQNjQbN
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 27, 2024
When BILL WALTON & I arrived in Akron for @KingJames 1st game as a HS superstar on TV to do his 1st game on @espn we said that LeBron can’t be as good as all the PR we received 5 minutes into the game we looked at each other & said “ HE IS BETTER THAN ADVERTISED “ May Bill RIP pic.twitter.com/MOf2hkr5OZ
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 28, 2024
There will never be another quite like Bill Walton.
— ESPN (@espn) May 27, 2024
His ESPN family will miss him dearly ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mvS0Sh5iWZ
.@RealSkipBayless honors Bill Walton for his Hall of Fame career on the court and in the booth: pic.twitter.com/w76EDHuGAK
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 28, 2024
.@notthefakeSVP and @RealMikeWilbon honor the great Bill Walton. pic.twitter.com/HlytMWJ48J
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 28, 2024
Rest in peace to UCLA legend Bill Walton. We will always remember him for the joy he brought to everything in life! 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/Vzjmn86NOT
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) May 27, 2024
Tony and Mike share their thoughts on the passing of the legendary Bill Walton. pic.twitter.com/askdPBThJ1
— PTI (@PTI) May 27, 2024
My heart is broken. Bill Walton was the best friend a guy could ever have. He was loving, generous, kind, and so much fun. He loved life, his family, basketball, and people. He had time for everyone. Bill was a national treasure and brought joy to the world. May God rest his soul pic.twitter.com/SGOZAkqckD
— Jim Gray (@JimGrayOfficial) May 27, 2024
Remembering Bill Walton — a giant amongst giants — on NBA Today. pic.twitter.com/jB5J8OzC23
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 27, 2024
Great story on Bill Walton from John Wooden
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) May 27, 2024
“He told me after his player of the year and national championship season I didn’t have the right to have him wear his hair shorter. I said that’s right, but I have the right to determine who plays, and we are going to miss you” pic.twitter.com/BGCOKhfnPi
R.I.P Big Guy#billwalton#nofiretruckdriver pic.twitter.com/B1mD94y1fp
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) May 28, 2024
"I love you, but don't tell anybody."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 27, 2024
Bill Walton's longtime broadcast partner @DavePasch reflects on one of his favorite memories of his friend ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zcBDQHlBOp
.@JayBilas remembers Bill Walton ❤️
— ESPN (@espn) May 27, 2024
"He may have been the greatest college basketball player of all time. He was an all-time great pro as well. … But more than that … He was an absolutely magnificent, beautiful person that you just loved to be around at all times." pic.twitter.com/oolIQZxrbu
This headline from today’s San Diego Union-Tribune is 100% true.
— Amy Reichert (@amyforsandiego) May 28, 2024
Thank you Bill Walton pic.twitter.com/vgPYBy9Tga
.@PaulPierce34 remembers 2x NCAA Champion, NBA Champion & Hall of Famer Bill Walton:
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 28, 2024
"He will always be a part of the Celtic family." pic.twitter.com/f25yMwNZAB
Sad to hear of the passing of Bill Walton. Basketball legend, but more importantly an outstanding human being. Thankful for all the moments we shared together in the PAC-12 over the last decade. Thank you for your life, Bill, shine on! pic.twitter.com/1fuqkqCMYE
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) May 28, 2024
Very sad to hear of the passing of Bill Walton. I admired him as one of the great big men to ever play the game. And I was honored to work next to him in the studio at ESPN. He was uplifting, positive, and fascinating. My thoughts are with his family. Rest peacefully, Bill 🙏
— Timothy Legler (@LegsESPN) May 28, 2024
Remembering Bill Walton, 1952-2024.
— Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) May 27, 2024
"There are certain people who you can just tell have determined to get the most out of life, and in that time, sort of change the world." @IzGutierrez pic.twitter.com/H9EY0FmKdl
today is a sad day for me … i lost great mentor and friend in Bill Walton …Thank you for your mentorship and inspiration. one of the greatest to ever do it ! Rest well my friend ! #BillWalton 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/4E18wTvIbC
— Vez (@ChevezGoodwin) May 27, 2024
Bill would text me during games I was broadcasting, and pretend he didn’t know I was doing it, but ask if I was watching 🤣 pic.twitter.com/p9DuiufCFA
— Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) May 28, 2024
Bill Walton’s nickname for me was “Coal”, and he would call himself “Solar”. He would playfully say I was living in the past, while he was the future. As I was going through many old texts from him, laughing my butt off, this one got me. Bill was an all time ball buster! pic.twitter.com/EejlTMzBKX
— Dave Pasch (@DavePasch) May 28, 2024