Hall Of Fame Center And Legendary Broadcaster Bill Walton Passes Away At 71

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The basketball world has lost a true legend of the game as Hall of Famer Bill Walton has died at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement on Monday. "As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

"Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans. But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events - always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered."

Bill Walton is one of the greatest college basketball players of all time. (Photo by James Drake/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)  (SetNumber: X16516 TK1 R4 F34)

Walton, a former first-overall pick in the NBA Draft, is among the greatest college basketball players of all time after being named a first-team All-American and the national college player of the year three consecutive seasons during his time as a UCLA Bruin.

READ: Bill Walton Has A Solution For Homeless Problem In San Diego: Build Them Their Own Town Called 'Sunbreak Ranch'

After spending 14 years in the NBA, where he won two titles and one league MVP award, Walton dove headfirst into the broadcasting world working for CBS, NBC, and ABC/ESPN over the years. 

The younger generation of basketball fans who didn't get to witness Walton during his playing heyday will remember him more for his incredibly unique yet always entertaining style behind the mic.

Walton lived in his hometown of San Diego with his wife Lori, who he married in 1991. In his previous marriage, Walton had four sons, including Luke Walton, who was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers team that won the 2009 and 2010 NBA Finals.

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Mark covers all sports at OutKick while keeping a close eye on the world of professional golf. He graduated from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga before earning his master's degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee. He somehow survived living in Knoxville despite ‘Rocky Top’ being his least favorite song ever written. Before joining OutKick, he wrote for various outlets including SB Nation, The Spun, and BroBible. Mark was also a writer for the Chicago Cubs Double-A affiliate in 2016 when the team won the World Series. He's still waiting for his championship ring to arrive. Follow him on Twitter @itismarkharris.