{"id":14030,"date":"2024-05-28T12:24:17","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T12:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legitgambling.com\/news\/?p=14030"},"modified":"2024-05-28T12:24:17","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T12:24:17","slug":"basketball-hall-of-famer-bill-walton-succumbs-to-cancer-at-71","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legitgambling.com\/news\/basketball-hall-of-famer-bill-walton-succumbs-to-cancer-at-71\/","title":{"rendered":"Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton Succumbs to Cancer at 71"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"BillTwo-time NCAA champion at UCLA, two-time NBA<\/a> champion, and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Bill Walton<\/strong> has succumbed to cancer at age 71. <\/p>\n

The news was brought forward by the league on behalf of Walton\u2019s family. <\/p>\n

Known for his nearly 7-foot frame<\/strong>, Walton was not only a legend on the court but also built himself an impressive career off the court as a chronic fun-seeker when he became a broadcaster who refused to comply with any of the conventional norms. <\/p>\n

\u201cTruly One of a Kind\u201d<\/h2>\n

NBA commissioner Adam Silver<\/strong> called the league\u2019s MVP in the 1977-78 season \u201ctruly one of a kind<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Walton was also NBA\u2019s sixth man of the year in the 1985-86 season as well as a member of the league\u2019s 50th anniversary and 75th anniversary teams. <\/p>\n

During his college years, he played under coach John Wooden<\/strong> at UCLA where he blossomed into a three-time national player of the year.<\/p>\n

Fellow Hall of Famer Julius \u201cDr. J<\/em>\u201d Erving<\/strong> took it to his social media to express his sadness on hearing the news that his \u201ccomrade\u201d and \u201cone of the sports world\u2019s most beloved champions and characters has passed\u201d.<\/p>\n

Dr. J called competing against Walton, who \u201cenjoyed life in every way<\/em>\u201d, as well as working with him \u201ca blessing<\/em>\u201d in his life. <\/p>\n

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