NBA Legend Bill Walton Dead at 71

2:27 PM PT — Tributes for Invoice are pouring in from all around the world — and, former President Barack Obama even posted in his honor — remembering Invoice as a grinder on the court docket and for his great spirit off it.

Invoice Walton — the NBA legend who delighted followers for many years each on the court docket and within the commentary sales space — has died, in accordance with the NBA.

The league put out a press launch Monday morning asserting the unhappy information … saying Invoice handed away after a protracted battle with most cancers. He was surrounded by household when he handed.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembers Invoice as a dominant drive on the court docket and a colourful character off it … whereas additionally lauding Invoice for his optimistic, upbeat character at league occasions.

Walton performed faculty basketball at UCLA from 1971 to 1974 earlier than the Portland Trailblazers drafted him with the primary total decide within the ’74 draft.

Invoice performed 4 seasons of his profession in Portland the place he received his first of two NBA titles and an NBA MVP award earlier than transferring on to the Clippers and the Celtics. Accidents pressured him to overlook important time and adjusted the trajectory of his taking part in profession.

Youthful followers will know Walton higher from his broadcasting profession … he began commentating with ESPN on NBA video games within the early 2000s earlier than transitioning to varsity basketball in 2012 the place he remained for the remainder of his life.

Invoice’s survived by his spouse, Lori, and his 4 sons — Adam, Nathan, Chris and Luke … the latter of whom adopted his father’s footsteps into the NBA first as a participant and later as a coach.

Invoice all the time had time to speak about his ardour and his buddies … together with with us again in 2016 when he gushed over famous person singer John Mayer.

Invoice was 71.

RIP