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Bill Walton’s returning to broadcasting with the Pac-12 Networks

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After taking two years off to deal with serious back issues, Bill Walton will be back on television serving as a color analyst on both the Pac-12 Networks and ESPN.

The former UCLA great spent 20-plus years behind a microphone after his playing career ended with the Boston Celtics in 1987, covering the NBA, college basketball and Olympic basketball on various networks.

“We are extremely honored to have Bill Walton lend his knowledge of the game as an analyst for the Pac-12 Networks,” Pac-12 Enterprises president Bill Stevenson said in the network statement.

“Bill’s legendary playing career has made his name synonymous with UCLA and the Pac-12’s basketball tradition and his unique style and engaging personality has had the same effect in the sports broadcasting arena. We are excited to have him on board.”

The official announcement came on Thursday, which also featured the Pac-12 announcing that it’s new networks would broadcast 150 men’s basketball games this season.

And for the first time in league history all Pac-12 home games (that means non-conference games hosted by Pac-12 teams too) would be televised in some form.

The changes ushered in by Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott has given the league unprecedented exposure across the board, and the addition of Walton to the announcing team should help matters from an entertainment standpoint.

“Commissioner Larry Scott is a vibrant, dynamic, visionary leader who stands alone at the top of our world,” said Walton in the statement. “He is a huge reason why I am here. I make my choices in life based on purpose and people -- and that is why I am so excited about what we have at the Pac-12 Networks.

“Pride and loyalty are the driving emotions in my life and what could be better than what we have here. The West is The Best. Tradition. Environment. Demographics: We have it all!! Let’s go to college!!! Let’s play ball!!! Let’s chase our dreams!!! Here we go!!!”

To say the least the two-time national champion is excited about this new opportunity.

But my question is which Pac-12 player ends up being lavished with praise as then-Phoenix Sun Boris Diaw once was?

What should be an improved year in the Pac-12 became even more interesting with the addition of Walton.

Photo Credit: Pac-12 Networks

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.