Bill Walton

Bill Walton won two NCAA championships at UCLA under John Wooden before going on to a Naismith Hall of Fame NBA career, winning titles with both the Portland Trail Blazers (1977) and Boston Celtics (1986) and earning NBA MVP honors in 1978. After retiring, he became one of basketball's most distinctive and beloved broadcasters, known for a colorful, free-associative style that made him a fan favorite across generations.

Walton, who battled severe spinal problems for much of his adult life, was a longtime supporter of the Life Rolls On Foundation, which promotes an active lifestyle for people living with spinal cord injuries and paralysis, as well as the Tony Hawk Foundation's work building skateparks in underserved communities. He was also a fixture at UCLA and San Diego-area community and charitable events throughout his decades in the public eye as a broadcaster.

Bill Walton passed away in May 2024 at age 71. Westcoast Sports Associates honored him with the Roy Firestone Award in 2014.