Here are some of the leaders, newsmakers, sports legends and entertainment greats who have died so far this year.
Walton was a familiar face to basketball fans for more than half a century, first as a star player and later as a sportscaster.
"Bill Walton was truly one of a kind. As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams," Silver said in the statement.
In 1977 and 1986, he went on with the Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics, respectively, to win the NBA championship. His original jersey, No. 32, was retired by the Trail Blazers when he left the team in 1979.
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