Mick Cronin has 'no concern' about Jay Williams' call for Bill Walton statue at UCLA

Earlier this year, the basketball world lost a legend. On May 27, 2024, former UCLA Bruin and 1978 NBA MVP Bill Walton died from colorectal cancer at 71 years old. On Tuesday, ESPN analyst Jay Williams implored UCLA to commemorate Walton’s legacy with a permanent monument.

“Bill Walton was one of the most brilliant & respected players in the history of basketball,” Williams wrote on X. “Can we please honor his legacy & Kareem Abdul Jabar with 2 statues that flank the great John Wooden outside Pauley Pavilion. Today, Walton would’ve been 72 yrs old.”

On Thursday, a reporter asked UCLA head coach Mick Cronin about Williams’ post. Although Cronin showed no interest in taking suggestions from the former Duke standout, he agreed with Williams’ sentiment.

“I have no concern what he said,” Cronin said of Williams. “I was shocked when I got the job in the spring of ’19, I walked in here and there was nothing of Kareem or with Bill. So, I’m all for all that. But I have no concern what he says. Absolutely none.

“Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of push from their teammates and I’m right with them on all that. What you find at state schools, it’s unbelievably hard to get a wall paint, let alone a Bill statue. And I mean that. I’ve been at it my whole life… But I’m right with all my former players on that and they’re on it.”

While it’s unclear why Cronin was so cold when asked about Williams’ thoughts, he certainly has no shortage of respect for UCLA legends Kareenm Abul-Jabbar and the late Bill Walton.

After all, the pair were both pivotal figures for the program during its golden years. Walton spent four seasons at UCLA from 1970-74, boosting the program to two national titles and leading the Bruins to an 86-4 record in his three seasons on the varsity squad.

In his 87 career games at UCLA, Walton shot 65.1% from the field, averaging 20.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. For his efforts, he won the 1973 James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States. Walton was also named the Naismith Player of the Year in 1972, ’73 and ’74.

After spending 14 years in the NBA, Walton became a basketball color commentator. He was known for his quirky style and hilarious rants. Most famously, Walton served as a commentator for the Pac-12 Network.

Cronin seemingly believes Walton will eventually receive some monument for his contributions to UCLA. However, until then, fans will continue to simply reminisce on the basketball legend.