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UCLA Basketball: The 25 Greatest Bruins of all time

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar waves to fans as he arrive to attend the UCLA Bruins and Arizona Wildcats college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Abdul-Jabbar was honored at half-time after recently receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, from President Barack Obama. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 21: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar waves to fans as he arrive to attend the UCLA Bruins and Arizona Wildcats college basketball game at Pauley Pavilion on January 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Abdul-Jabbar was honored at half-time after recently receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, from President Barack Obama. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Bill Walton, C (1971-74)

Why Walton is on this list:

The always-entertaining Bill Walton is a legend among UCLA basketball players. If it was not for the accomplishments of #1 on this list, he would be hands down the best player in UCLA basketball history. Still, he is a pretty humble individual he constantly praises our #1 Bruin with grandiosity.

Still, what Walton has done in his time in Westwood is nothing to sniff at, but where to begin? In his first two seasons, Walton led the Bruins to two undefeated 30-0 seasons, a feat that has never been done before or matched. In those seasons, he led John Wooden’s Bruins to their 8th and 9th championships. Though Walton and the Bruins missed out on a third championship in 1974, Walton claimed three straight National Player of the Year Awards and three consensus First Team All-American nominations.

UCLA Career Stats

  • FG%: .651
  • FT%: .647
  • Rebs/gm: 15.7
  • Total Rebs: 1370
  • Asts/gm: 3.6
  • Total Asst: 316
  • Pts/gm: 20.3
  • Total Pts: 1767

Key Accomplishments

  • NCAA Championships: 1972, 1973
  • Pac-8 Champs: 1972, 1973, 1974
  • All-American: 1972, 1973, 1974
  • National Player of the Year: 1972, 1973, 1974
  • Record for most rebounds in a career: 1,370
  • UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame Member: 1984
  • #32 Jersey Retired: 1990
  • One of only 40 Players to Win an NCAA and NBA Championship

In 1974, Walton was the #1 overall pick by the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA Draft. That was the start of a phenomenal NBA career that spanned 13 years. In that time he claimed two NBA Championships (Portland 1977, Boston 1986), a Finals MVP, an NBA MVP, two All-Star bids, two All-NBA team nominations, and two All-Defensive Team nominations.

Walton is also an accomplished author and broadcaster. He is currently a basketball analyst for ESPN and the Pac-12 Network.