Bill Walton III
School:
Height:
6-11
Position:
Center
Hometown:
La Mesa, CA
High School:
Helix High School
- NCAA unanimous first-team All-American in 1972, 1973 and 1974
- Named national player of the year by UPI and USBWA in 1972, 1973 and 1974, and by AP in 1972 and 1973
- Naismith Award winner in 1972, 1973 and 1974
- All-American Recognition: 1972 (Associated Press 1st Team, Converse 1st Team, National Association of Basketball Coaches 1st Team, United Press International 1st Team, United States Basketball Writers Association 1st Team), 1973 (Associated Press 1st Team, Converse 1st Team, National Association of Basketball Coaches 1st Team, United Press International 1st Team, United States Basketball Writers Association 1st Team) and 1974 (Associated Press 1st Team, Converse 1st Team, National Association of Basketball Coaches 1st Team, United Press International 1st Team, United States Basketball Writers Association 1st Team)
- Academic All-America all three seasons
- Ranked among the nation's leaders in field-goal percentage in 1972 (4th), 1973 (2nd) and 1974 (2nd)
- Ranked among the nation's rebounding leaders in 1972 (9th), 1973 (6th) and 1974 (9th)
- Leading scorer and rebounder for undefeated NCAA Tournament champions in 1972 (30-0 record) and 1973 (30-0) and national third-place team in 1974 (26-4)
- Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1972 (57 points, 41 rebounds, 69.0 FG%) and 1973 (58 points, 30 rebounds, 82.4 FG%)
- Named to All-NCAA Tournament team in 1972, 1973 and 1974
- Averaged 21.2 points and 14.7 rebounds in 12 NCAA Tournament games from 1972 through 1974 (11-1 record)
- Selected by the San Diego Conquistadors in first round of 1973 ABA undergraduate draft (1st pick overall, did not play in league). Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in first round of 1974 NBA draft (1st pick overall)
- Elected to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993.
- NOTE: Missed three mid-season games as a senior after falling heavily onto his left hip/back.