The sports world reacts to the death of NCAA and NBA legend Bill Walton

Some athletes are able to transcend the sporting world simply because they are among the best that ever lived in their chosen sport. In Bill Walton's case, his basketball talent was only part of his far-reaching legacy.

Read more: Bill Walton, Hall of Fame NBA Center, dies at 71

Walton's bubbly personality and willingness to share it with the world through broadcasting earned him a diverse circle of fans and friends inside and outside the basketball world.

From former President Barack Obama to basketball star and entrepreneur Magic Johnson, the full range of lives Walton influenced was evident Monday when he died of cancer at the age of 71.

“Bill Walton was one of the greatest basketball players of all time – a champion at every level and the embodiment of selfless team play,” Obama wrote on his official Twitter/X account. “He was also a wonderful human being full of curiosity, humor and kindness. We are saddened by his passing and Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to his family.”

“My very close friend, fellow Bruin and NBA rival Bill Walton passed away today,” wrote Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “And the world feels so much heavier now. On the court, Bill was an incredible player, but off the court, he wasn't happy unless he was doing everything he could to make everyone around him happy. He was the best of us.”

Jason Benetti, a national baseball, football and basketball commentator and the Detroit Tigers' primary live commentator, has worked with Walton on numerous assignments in various sports.

“You sent me an email in 2020 that said TURN THE MUSIC ON, whenever it doesn't seem right, change the music/station, but don't turn it off,” Benetti wrote in what appeared to be an open letter to his late broadcast partner. “I promise the music will always be on. I will miss you very much, you wonderful, vibrant, wonderful person.”

“Bill Walton laughed at himself, cared deeply about people ignored by history, and was one of the greatest athletes to ever walk the Earth,” ESPN star Pablo Torre wrote on his Twitter/X account. “A planet he both adored and transcended. RIP”

Grammy-winning trumpeter, producer and arranger Michael Leonhart shared a memory of Walton on his Instagram account on Monday: “One of the highlights of my career was hanging out backstage with the great #BillWalton at #classicwest on July 15, 2017 at #Dodgerstadium #LosAngeles. Bill was like a kid in a candy store❤️ MAAAAAAN, did Bill love music❤️‍🩹”

These are just some of the many honors Walton received on Monday.