Arizona Wildcats: Top 30 athletes in school history

November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors interim head coach Luke Walton (left) talks to guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Former Arizona Wildcats basketball player Luke Walton has been making headlines lately and for good reason.

Luke Walton is not getting credit for coaching the Gold State Warriors NBA team at the young age of 35; that accolade is going to his head coach and fellow former Arizona Wildcat Steve Kerr. The Warriors just broke a record fore most consecutive wins to start a season (16). It’s even more meaningful because the record came at the demise of his former NBA team, the Los Angeles Lakers, beating them 111-77. But the media and NBA fans are now turning their heads, and more attention is being given to this NBA champion and it’s about time.

Fun Fact, Luke is currently coaching his 2002-2003 Arizona Wildcats teammate, Warriors small forward Andre’ Iguodala.

Much like Walton’s college coach and mentor Hall of Famer Lute Olson, when fans cheered for Walton in ball games, it sounded like a boo, but it was really just his name, “Luuuuukkkkeeee.”

Luke Walton’s last name was made famous by his father and former UCLA Bruin and Boston Celtic, Bill Walton. Bill played for a very famous college basketball coach himself, John Wooden. Bill Walton is now a beloved Pac-12 basketball commentator. When began his Pac-12 broadcasting journey, he did not reflect favorably towards the Wildcats. Once Wildcats fans complained, he changed his ways, and now fans mourn when former UCLA coach Steve Lavin takes his place. Bill and Luke were the first father-son duo who have won multiple NBA championships.

Luke Walton played forward for eleven seasons in the NBA, nine of them were with the Lakers. Drafted No.32 in the second round of the 2003 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. Walton helped the Lakers get to the playoffs seven times and win the NBA Championship twice in 2209 and 2010 with Kobe Bryant. The two remain close and have a lot of respect for each other. Kobe has been quoted as saying that Walton was the next Phil [Jackson] and that he had a high basketball IQ.

Walton’s NBA career stat totals include 2,649 points, 1,588 rebounds, 1,317 assists, 182 3-pointers, 102 blocks and 313 steals in 564 games. Walton was known for being able to move and pass the ball to his teammates.

When Walton retired from the NBA, he began coaching. His first coaching job was with the University of Memphis as an assistant coach during the 2011 NBA lockout.  Walton was playing for the Cleveland  Cavaliers when the lockout hit and continued to complete the 2012-2013 season.

Walton dabbled in sports broadcasting. In 2013, Time Warner Cable SportsNet hired him to join their Lakers on-air broadcast team

Walton’s next job was to be the player development coach for the Los Angeles D-Fenders (NBA Development League) in 2013. From there, Walton was hired by head coach Steve Kerr, who also played for Phil Jackson during his NBA career to be an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. In his first year coaching for the Warriors, he earned another NBA Championship ring along with fellow Wildcats Kerr, Bruce Fraser, and Andre Igoudala.

Walton graduated from the University of Arizona in 2003; he played all four years as a guard and a forward. The following chart shows his stats by year.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/24/2015.

Luke married his college sweetheart and also former Wildcat Bre Ladd, who played for the UA Women’s volleyball team.

Look for Luke to be an NBA head coach at least in the next five years if not sooner, his legacy may be yet to come.

Next: Darryll Lewis - Football