<
        >

          Trail Blazers to honor Bill Walton with tie-dye jersey band

          play
          Bill Walton's illustrious 50-year career in basketball (2:19)

          Relive some of the best moments of Bill Walton's legendary career as an NBA player and as a commentator. (2:19)

          • Kalan Hooks, ESPNSep 26, 2024, 09:37 PM

          The Portland Trail Blazers will honor the late Bill Walton with a unique band on their jerseys for the 2024-25 season.

          Portland's jerseys will feature a tie-dye band at the top left corner of the jersey, with Walton's No. 32 in white lettering.

          Walton died in May from cancer at age 71. The franchise will hold a Bill Walton tribute night on March 9, when they host the Detroit Pistons. Fans who attend the game will receive a tie-dye headband to reflect his on-court look.

          In 1974, the Trail Blazers drafted Walton with the No. 1 pick, which began his 14-year NBA career. He would bring Rip City a 1977 NBA title over the Philadelphia 76ers and be named Finals MVP after averaging 18.5 points and 19 rebounds in the series.

          Walton won the NBA MVP award in 1978 after averaging 18.9 points and 13.2 rebounds. He was also a two-time All-Star as a Trail Blazer. His jersey was retired by the organization in 1989. Walton was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in the 1993 class.