Beijing, May 29 (Reporter Xing Rui) Two-time NBA champion and Nel-Smith Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton died Monday at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer, NBA officials said.

Walton, who was born in 1952, was once a dazzling star in the basketball world and was known as the "Red Giant" by fans.

Walton was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft. During his 13-year NBA career, he also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics. Walton won two NBA championships in 1977 and 1986 and was named the NBA's Most Valuable regular season player in 1978.

His glittering career was eventually cut short by a foot injury. According to foreign media statistics, Walton has participated in 468 games in the NBA, averaging 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

In 1993, Walton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Later, he was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team (50 Big Stars and 75 Big Stars).

In the eyes of many in the industry, Walton redefined the center position. After retiring, he put his passion and love for the game into the broadcasting career. Despite some stuttering, he has excelled in his new job, making insightful and colorful comments that have infected generations of fans. This led to Walton not only being named one of the 50 greatest sports broadcasters of all time by the American Association of Sports Broadcasters, but also winning an Emmy Award.

Walton also has another identity for Chinese fans - he was one of three inductees for Yao Ming's induction into the Nai-Smith Hall of Fame. At that time, Walton had given Yao Ming, who also suffered from foot injuries, a lot of help.

"Walden, you have been so supportive, your advice and encouragement have been so helpful to me, and when I woke up after my foot surgery, you were the first person to call me. You told me to stay positive and I'll never forget what you said." Yao Ming said at the induction ceremony.

In addition to NBA officials, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bird, Magic Johnson and other celebrities have also voiced their condolences. Bird said: "It's exciting to be able to play with your childhood idol, we won the 1986 championship together. Bill was one of the greatest players to ever play the game, and I am grateful to have known him, and he will be deeply missed."

The Boston Celtics wrote on social media: "Bill Walton was one of the most influential players of his era. As a Hall of Famer, Most Valuable Player and two-time NBA champion, Walton can do it all, with great timing, complete vision, and great fundamentals."

The Los Angeles Clippers said directly that Bill Walton is synonymous with Southern California basketball. "As a player, he decides the game; As a broadcaster, he brought joy to people. No matter where he goes or what he does, he always stands out." (over)