William Theodore Walton III - Basketball Players, Birthday and Facts
William Theodore Walton III's Personal Details
Bill Walton is a retired American basketball player who played for the Portland Trail Blazers before becoming a television sportscaster
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | November 5, 1952 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | University Of California, Los Angeles, Sportspersons, Basketball Players |
| City/State | California |
| Spouses | Susan Guth (m. 1979–1989) |
| Siblings | Bruce Walton |
| Known as | Bill Walton |
| Childrens | Adam Walton, Chris Walton, Luke Walton, Nathan Walton |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | La Mesa, California |
| Height | 211 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | William Theodore |
| Mother | Gloria Anne |
| Net Worth | $20 Million as of Jan 2017 |
| Sun Sign | Scorpio |
| Born in | La Mesa, California |
| Famous as | American basketball player |
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William Theodore Walton III's photo
Who is William Theodore Walton III?
William Theodore “Bill” Walton III is counted amongst the best basketball players ever to have graced the game in America. A tall man, he towered with a height of almost 7 feet and became a National Basketball Association (NBA) legend as a league Most Valuable Player. He inspired awe and admiration from his peers and coaches alike when he played for John Wooden’s varsity team UCLA Bruins. He was the most successful player of his college team and won the James E. Sullivan Award for the top amateur athlete in the United States; he is regarded as the best player ever to have played the game at college level by some sports historians. After college he started playing for Portland Trail Blazers joining them at a time when they were going through a really bad streak. The talented young man set off to a blazing start averaging 16.0 ppg in his first seven games. Unfortunately his career was plagued by injuries from the very beginning. He once broke a foot that set off a string of foot and ankle injuries which threatened his career and he was forced to retire untimely. After his retirement he became a successful though somewhat controversial NBA commentator.
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Childhood & Early Life
He was born to Gloria Anne and William Theodore Walton in California.
He started playing basketball when he was in the fourth grade.
He went to Helix High School where he was coached by Gordon Nash. He helped his team win the California Interscholastic Federation High School title twice.
He enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1970 and played for John Wooden’s varsity team from 1971 to 1974. He became the backbone of the team and led them to several victories.
In 1971-72, he led the UCLA basketball team to a record of 30-0 and won the games by an average margin of more than 30 points. The team won the national title in 1972 and again in 1973.
During the 1973-74 season, his school won 88 games in a row before losing to the University of Notre Dame.
He graduated from UCLA in 1974.
Career
He was signed by American Basketball Association’s San Diego Conquistadors upon his graduation. He was also the number one overall pickup in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Portland Trail Blazers were going through a rough streak and had their hopes pinned upon Walton. He did not disappoint—he set off on a roaring start averaging 16.0 ppg and 19.0 rpg as a rookie in his first seven appearances.
However his career was soon hampered by injury problems. He could play only 35 games as a rookie. Even though he helped his team win 11 more games in 1974-75 than in the previous year, he could not utilize his full potential.
By 1975-76 his list of injuries included a broken wrist, sprained ankle, dislocated foot and broken toes.
He had recovered enough to play in the 1976-77 season. The team now had a new head coach Jack Ramsay who encouraged him to give his best. Motivated, he played 65 games and led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA title win over the favourites Philadelphia 76ers.
The next year he helped his team win 50 of their first 60 games before he broke his foot. In 1978 he played in his only All-Star Game.
He again injured himself while playing in a series against the Seattle SuperSonics. In his absence, the Trail Blazers lost the series.
He signed with the San Diego Clippers in 1979 after leaving the Trail Blazers. However he could play only 14 games in the 1979-80 season due to his injuries.
He underwent extensive reconstructive surgeries on his injured foot and went through rehabilitation in order to regain his health and return to the field.
With improvement in his health he could play 33 games in 1982-83 and 55 games the next season. He regained his form and played 67 games in 1984-85.
He signed a deal with Boston Celtics and played in a career-high of 80 games with them. He won the NBA Sixth Man Award that season.
After yet another injury he spent the 1987-88 season on the injured list. He could not return to the game in spite of his wholehearted efforts, and was forced to retire in 1990.
Post his retirement as a player he remained connected to his favourite sport by becoming a commentator. He had a successful career as a NBA commentator for NBC and the Los Angeles Clippers from 1990 to 2002.
He moved on to be a commentator on ABC/ESPN in 2002. He left ESPN in 2009 because of health reasons.
He became a part-time commentator for the Sacramento Kings and has plans to return to broadcasting as a game analyst.
Major Works
He is regarded as the greatest ever player to have played basketball at the college level. He played in the UCLA’s NCAA men’s team which created the 88-game winning streak record and played a major role in UCLA's record of seven consecutive national titles while he was a student there.
Awards & Achievements
He was named the Naismith College Player of the Year for three consecutive years from 1972 to 1974.
He received NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 1978 while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. The award is given to the best performing player of the season.
Personal Life & Legacy
He was previously married to Susie with whom he has four sons. His son Luke is a professional basketball player.
He is married to Lori Matsuoka.
Trivia
He overcame his problem with stuttering to become a successful commentator.
He is a big fan of the hard rock band Grateful Dead and has attended more than 600 of their concerts.
His jersey No. 32 was also retired by the Portland Trail Blazers in his honour at the time of his retirement.
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William Theodore Walton III's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Other | ||
| 0 | - Player of the Year Awards | |
| 0 | 1973 - James E. Sullivan Award | |
| 0 | - NBA Sixth Man Award | |
| 0 | - Sixth Man Award | |
William Theodore Walton III biography timelines
- // 5th Nov 1952He was born to Gloria Anne and William Theodore Walton in California.
- // 1970He enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1970 and played for John Wooden’s varsity team from 1971 to 1974. He became the backbone of the team and led them to several victories.
- // 1971 To 1973In 1971-72, he led the UCLA basketball team to a record of 30-0 and won the games by an average margin of more than 30 points. The team won the national title in 1972 and again in 1973.
- // 1972 To 1974He was named the Naismith College Player of the Year for three consecutive years from 1972 to 1974.
- // 1973During the 1973-74 season, his school won 88 games in a row before losing to the University of Notre Dame.
- // 1974He graduated from UCLA in 1974.
- // 1974He was signed by American Basketball Association’s San Diego Conquistadors upon his graduation. He was also the number one overall pickup in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
- // 1974However his career was soon hampered by injury problems. He could play only 35 games as a rookie. Even though he helped his team win 11 more games in 1974-75 than in the previous year, he could not utilize his full potential.
- // 1975By 1975-76 his list of injuries included a broken wrist, sprained ankle, dislocated foot and broken toes.
- // 1976He had recovered enough to play in the 1976-77 season. The team now had a new head coach Jack Ramsay who encouraged him to give his best. Motivated, he played 65 games and led the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA title win over the favourites Philadelphia 76ers.
- // 1978The next year he helped his team win 50 of their first 60 games before he broke his foot. In 1978 he played in his only All-Star Game.
- // 1978He received NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 1978 while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. The award is given to the best performing player of the season.
- // 1979He signed with the San Diego Clippers in 1979 after leaving the Trail Blazers. However he could play only 14 games in the 1979-80 season due to his injuries.
- // 1982 To 1984With improvement in his health he could play 33 games in 1982-83 and 55 games the next season. He regained his form and played 67 games in 1984-85.
- // 1987After yet another injury he spent the 1987-88 season on the injured list. He could not return to the game in spite of his wholehearted efforts, and was forced to retire in 1990.
- // 1990 To 2002Post his retirement as a player he remained connected to his favourite sport by becoming a commentator. He had a successful career as a NBA commentator for NBC and the Los Angeles Clippers from 1990 to 2002.
- // 2002 To 2009He moved on to be a commentator on ABC/ESPN in 2002. He left ESPN in 2009 because of health reasons.
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William Theodore Walton III's FAQ
What is William Theodore Walton III birthday?
William Theodore Walton III was born at 1952-11-05
Where is William Theodore Walton III's birth place?
William Theodore Walton III was born in La Mesa, California
What is William Theodore Walton III nationalities?
William Theodore Walton III's nationalities is American
Who is William Theodore Walton III spouses?
William Theodore Walton III's spouses is Susan Guth (m. 1979–1989)
Who is William Theodore Walton III siblings?
William Theodore Walton III's siblings is Bruce Walton
Who is William Theodore Walton III childrens?
William Theodore Walton III's childrens is Adam Walton, Chris Walton, Luke Walton, Nathan Walton
What was William Theodore Walton III universities?
William Theodore Walton III studied at University Of California, Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles, Stanford Law School
What was William Theodore Walton III notable alumnis?
William Theodore Walton III's notable alumnis is University Of California, Los Angeles
How tall is William Theodore Walton III?
William Theodore Walton III's height is 211
Who is William Theodore Walton III's father?
William Theodore Walton III's father is William Theodore
Who is William Theodore Walton III's mother?
William Theodore Walton III's mother is Gloria Anne
What is William Theodore Walton III's sun sign?
William Theodore Walton III is Scorpio
How famous is William Theodore Walton III?
William Theodore Walton III is famouse as American basketball player