Born in California, Walton played college basketball at UCLA from 1970 to 1974, including the national NCAA title in 1973 in a win over Memphis State in which Walton scored 21 of 22 shots. Some regard it as the greatest offensive performence ever in American college basketball.
Walton's professional career was cut short by foot and knee injuries, but he led the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA championship and in 1986 he was a role player on the Boston Celtics when that team won the championship.
As of 2003, Walton is a basketball television analyst.