Bill Walton

Two-time national champion at UCLA — the most complete center in college basketball history.

William Theodore Walton III was born in La Mesa, California in 1952. He attended UCLA under coach John Wooden and continued the program's dynasty. He won back-to-back national championships (1972, 1973), was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player both times and won the Naismith Award as national player of the year twice (1972, 1973). His 1973 season produced a 73-0 win streak that included a perfect 30-0 national championship season. In the 1973 championship game he was 21-for-22 from the field — the finest shooting performance in title game history. His combination of passing, rebounding, shot-blocking and scoring was so complete that coaches described him as the first modern center. UCLA went 86-4 across his three varsity seasons. His senior season was undefeated before UCLA lost in the Final Four. He was selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA Draft. He died in May 2024 aged 71. He had spoken candidly about his struggles with depression and described college basketball as the most joyful period of his life. His UCLA career is the closest to Alcindor's in terms of dominance.

Walton was an exceptional passing big man with outstanding court vision and basketball intelligence. His ability to run the fast break and facilitate offense from the center position was revolutionary for his era. He combined strong rebounding and shot-blocking skills with soft hands around the basket and excellent footwork.

Walton helped establish UCLA's dynasty under John Wooden and set the standard for versatile, skilled big men in basketball. His combination of size, passing ability, and basketball IQ influenced how the center position could be played at both college and professional levels.

• National Championship 2x (1972, 1973)
• Tournament MOP 2x
• Naismith Award 2x
• Unbeaten senior season