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The inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic will grab center court on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Pechanga Arena San Diego with two college basketball games to help celebrate the life and legacy of local hoops legend Bill Walton.
San Diego State University will take on the University of Colorado Buffaloes at 12:30 p.m., followed by the women’s game pitting the University of San Diego and UC San Diego in a local clash at 3 p.m.
The men’s game will be broadcast on the USA Network.
Both men’s teams are known quantities. SDSU made an historic trek to the NCAA championship game in 2023 while Colorado head coach Tad Boyle has led the Buffaloes to 329 wins over 16 seasons, including six NCAA Tournament appearances and five NIT berths.
“We’re excited to play Colorado in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic,” SDSU coach Brian Dutcher said. “Colorado is a quality program from one of the best conferences in college basketball. Bill Walton was such a San Diego icon and with Chris Walton having played for the Aztecs, this event is really a family affair for us.”
“It’s such a privilege to be invited to play in the inaugural National University Bill Walton Classic, which honors a true legend of our game,” Boyle said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to play an elite program like Coach Dutcher’s San Diego State Aztecs, which will be a great early season challenge for our team.”
UC San Diego participated in both the 2025 and 2026 March Madness women’s tournaments.
There’s a lot to celebrate in regard to the Bill Walton, who died in 2024 at the age of 71 after establishing the foundation for basketball greatness at Helix High School, UCLA and the NBA.
He is one of only four players in basketball history to win multiple NCAA championships (two, 1972-73) and multiple NBA championships (two, 1977 with Portland and 1986 with Boston). He earned three consecutive national college player ot the year awards from 1972-74.
He was the NBA Finals MVP in 1977 and the NBA’s regular season MVP in 1978.
He played parts of four seasons with the San Diego Clippers.
The towering 6-foot-11 red head will forever be associated with the Helix Highlanders. Appropriately, the La Mesa school will be involved in the upcoming event with the choir and trademark bagpipes part of the pregame festivities.
“It’s a cool opportunity to celebrate Bill’s legacy and the mark he left on Helix as well,” Helix Charter athletic director Damon Chase said. “Helix is incredibly honored to be involved with the inaugural Bill Walton Classic. Bill Walton loved Helix and La Mesa. It means a lot to our school and community to continue to uphold Bill’s legacy.”
Walton led Helix to back-to-back San Diego Section championships in 1969-70. During his two varsity seasons on the team, the Highlanders went 62-2 — 29-2 his junior year and 33-0 as a senior. Included was a 49-game unbeaten streak.
The Scotties defeated the Madison Warhawks, 87-72, at the Sports Arena to cap the 1968-69 season. Walton contributed 13 points and 15 rebounds.
The 1969-70 season was spectacular in all regards as Helix finished as the No. 1 team in California and No. 3 in the nation.
The Highlanders defeated the Chula Vista Spartans, 70-56, in the section AA title game. Walton dropped in 31 points while making 31 rebounds to wow the 6,451 spectators in the building.
During that season, Walton made history by scoring 50 points in the championship game of the Covina Tournament on New Year’s Eve to set a school single-game scoring record.
The Scotties defeated Pasadena, 110-68, as Walton poured in 50 points, grabbed 34 rebounds and recorded nine blocked shots.
Walton averaged 29 points and 25 rebounds per game while shooting a national record 78.3 percent from the field during his senior year.
He finished his Highlander career with 2,934 points under coach Gordon Nash.
In 87 career games at UCLA under legendary coach John Wooden, Walton averaging 20.3 points, 15.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists while shooting 65.1 percent from the field. The Bruins compiled a 86-4 record in Walton’s three seasons, including two 30-0 seasons.
