Bill Walton's former colleague Jim Gray 'heartbroken' by the death of his 'best friend': 'A national treasure'

The sports world lost an icon Monday when basketball Hall of Famer-turned-analyst Bill Walton died of cancer at age 71.

Walton was beloved by many, especially his former colleague Jim Gray, who worked with Walton for several networks, and the two shared a friendship for 40 years.

“My heart is broken. Bill Walton was the best friend a man could have,” Gray sent in an email to Fox News Digital. “He was loving, generous, kind, caring, intelligent and very funny. He loved life, his family, basketball and, most of all, people. I always marveled at how he had time for everyone and was never in a hurry. Bill was a treasure national and brought joy to the world.

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Broadcaster Jim Gray, right, appears with analyst Bill Walton during the Duke-Wisconsin game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 6, 2015. (John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

“For 40 years, every time we were together, we laughed,” he wrote. “He was a library of knowledge and a fountain of wisdom. Broadcasting games together on CBS, NBC, ESPN, ABC, Westwood One and the [Sacramento] Reyes was a strange and wonderful trip. I am grateful for all the years with Bill. It was the blessing of my life. He will be in my heart forever.”

“May God rest his soul and bless Lori, Adam, Chris, Nate and Luke. Frann and I send our love, and we will always honor Bill's memory and be there for the Walton family, just as he was always there for us “Gray continued.

“Bill always said, 'I'm the luckiest man in the world.' No, Bill, I am, and we all are, because we knew you. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Walton once credited Gray with saving his life in 2017 by finding his spine surgeon when he had been going through physical problems and his spine “completely collapsed and failed” nine years earlier. Walton said he “had nothing” and contemplated the worst.

Bill Walton as part of the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night Game on February 17, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

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“My life wasn't worth living. I was going to kill myself. If I had a gun, I would have used it,” Walton said. “But Jim called me every day and said, 'Bill, don't give up, you can do it…'. He did everything he could to make sure I still had a chance.”

Walton won three consecutive national player of the year awards from 1972 to 1974 before becoming the first overall pick in the 1974 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. His impact on an NBA court was quick as the Trail jackets would win the 1978 NBA Championship, and Walton was named Finals MVP and league MVP for that season.

After his time in Portland, Walton moved to the then-San Diego Clippers, where he spent four seasons, including his last when moved to Los Angeles. He joined the Celtics for the 1985-1986 season, helping them win the NBA title that year, and was also named the league's Sixth Man of the Year.

Walton finished his career averaging 13.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 468 games. He was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary teams.

Walton's colorful commentary was exceptional, as he always kept viewers (and his fellow players) on their toes with crazy stories from his playing days while also providing excellent analysis and insight into the game.

Walton was also a father who passed the game on to his sons, including Luke Walton, who won back-to-back NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 during his playing days. Luke currently serves as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers after previously serving as head coach of the Lakers (2016-2019) and Kings (2019-2022).