Few athletes have ever garnered the level of respect and adoration from fans as Bill Walton.
The Big Redhead dazzled on the court as one of the game’s great passing big men and delighted in the broadcast booth with his antics on “Pac-12 After Dark” all while being the biggest “Deadhead” of his generation.
Walton, who died last year at age 71, kept a collection of memorabilia from his life and career nearly as eclectic as the man himself.
Hunt Auctions will sell the items from his personal collection in a live auction June 12, with pieces from nearly every aspect of Walton’s multi-faceted life — ranging from his time at UCLA to his NBA career and beyond.
Here are some of the highlights:
Walton’s “first” basketball rim (est. $500-$1,000)
A cast-iron basketball rim taken from Walton’s childhood home, where he first began to learn the game of basketball in the 1950s in La Mesa, California, along with a section of the original wooden backboard, will sell during the auction.
It comes with a photo of a young Walton posing in front of the rim with a basketball.
Walton won’t be the first NBA legend to have his childhood hoop sell at auction. Kobe Bryant’s childhood basketball hoop fetched $39,600 in February 2021.
1970 UCLA Letter of Intent (est. $2,500-$5,000)
After winning two California state titles as a high school star, Walton became a highly coveted recruit, opting to sign with legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA.
Walton signed this letter of intent with his full name, “William T. Walton III.”
1971-72 NCAA Championship ring (est. $50,000-$75,000)
Walton was one of the greatest college basketball players in history, leading UCLA to two national championships, as well as an 88-game winning streak, while winning three National College Player of the Year awards.
One of his national championship rings, from the 1971-72 season, will sell at Hunt, carrying one of the highest estimates from the collection.
His 1972-73 ring will also sell, carrying the same estimate.
1973 John Wooden letter (est. $2,000-$4,000)
John Wooden wrote this letter, which Hunt says was likely sent to all members of the UCLA team, to Walton, with thoughts on work ethic, success and responsibility. He signed the three-page letter, “Coach Wooden.”
UCLA varsity basketball captain letterman’s jacket (est. $15,000-$25,000)
Walton’s jacket from his senior season at UCLA as captain features an embroidered a “C” patch.
1973-74 UCLA jersey (est. $75,000-$100,000)
MeiGray has photo-matched this jersey to four images from a January 1974 game between UCLA and Notre Dame, in which the Fighting Irish snapped Walton and the Bruin’s historic 88-game winning streak.
1977-78 Trail Blazers jersey (est. $25,000-$50,000)
Photo-matched to images from the 1977-78 season in which Walton took home the MVP, this is among the best Walton gamers from his NBA days to reach the auction block.
Grey Flannel previously sold a Walton jersey from his time with the Trail Blazers for $72,000.
Grateful Dead autographed drumhead (est. $5,000-$7,500)
Inscribed to Walton, this stage-used drumhead is signed by the band —including Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Phil Lesh — as well as various crew members and managers. Walton attended his first show in 1971.
Grateful Dead pass collection (est. $750-$1,000)
Over the hundreds of shows Walton attended, he was frequently given backstage and VIP access. Walton saved dozens of these badges and passes, including 33 being sold at Hunt.
1998 letter on Michael Jordan (est. $300-$500)
In this autographed letter written by Walton in 1998, he writes: "Fans have been drawn in record numbers to the NBA because of the dynamic skill, suspense, style, and class of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. If any challenger ever conquers the Bulls ... it will be a result of superior levels of the qualities that make Chicago such a special team."
2009 New Year’s Ever “Father Time” outfit (est. $500-$1,000)
The sash and outfit Walton wore as “Father Time” at the strike of midnight on New Years Ever in 2009, along with a beard and headband, is just one of the wild outfits included in the auction.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.