(Nov 5, 1952 – May 27, 2024) Bill Walton led UCLA to two NCAA titles before arriving in Memorial Coliseum to join an average Portland Trail Blazer team. Walton emerged as one of the greatest basketball players in Portland Trail Blazer and NBA history. Walton led the Blazers to the NBA Championship in 1977 with dramatic performances in the title series. In the championship game he had 20 points, 7 assists, 23 rebounds and a record 8 blocked shots in the 109-107 victory over Philadelphia 76ers.

Drafted No. 1 in the nation in 1974, Walton was MVP in the 1978 regular NBA season. He was selected as an NBA All-Star in 1977 and 1978. Beyond the numbers, Walton was a clutch player and a winner who enabled his Blazer team to accomplish one of the greatest achievements in Oregon’s sports history.