UCLA will honor the late Bill Walton on Feb. 23, 2025 during the Bruins’ game against Ohio State, the program announced Wednesday. Walton died May 28 at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
The game will be televised on CBS and tips off at 3:45 p.m. ET.
The Bruins are going all out to pay homage to their legendary former center, with a halftime ceremony as the main event. Fans will receive a commemorative poster “that celebrates Walton’s life and legacy,” per the program, and — in what likely would have been Walton’s favorite part — students will receive a custom tie-dyed T-shirt “to celebrate Walton’s larger-than-life personality.”
Walton is one of basketball’s true giants, with a legacy that spans a marvelous college career, NBA career and broadcasting career. Under legendary Bruins coach John Wooden, Walton won three Player of the Year awards and two Final Four Most Outstanding Player awards as he led the Bruins to national championship in 1972 and 1973. In the 1973 title game against Memphis State, Walton scored 44 points — a title-game record that still stands — on 21 of 22 shooting. He is a member of both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
“It’s a difficult reality to know we’re getting ready to start a basketball season in Westwood without Bill’s presence,” current UCLA coach Mick Cronin said in a statement. “He will forever be an icon in our great game, and his memory will forever live on at UCLA.Â
“For our program, especially over the past 12 seasons, he’s been a fixture while working as a broadcaster. On game days, he routinely chatted with our players, he shared advice with me, and he meant so much to everyone around our program. We want to honor Bill this season, and we’re grateful to have the support of his family. After conversations with his former teammates and with the blessing of his family, we wanted to select a game when we’re at home on the weekend, playing before a national television audience.”
