- Event to Honor Hall of Famer Bill Walton’s Enduring Legacy with UCLA, Arizona and the College Basketball Community -
PHOENIX – Position Sports, in partnership with the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, announced that former conference rivals Arizona and UCLA will face off in the Hall of Fame Series Los Angeles on Friday, November 14, at the Intuit Dome. This matchup will serve as a tribute to Hall of Famer Bill Walton, honoring his impact on the sport, his legendary career with UCLA, and his deep ties to both programs through his broadcasting and family.
The two men’s programs last met in the Hall of Fame Series Rivalry Game in December (UCLA won 57-54). This year’s game will celebrate Walton’s lasting contributions to the game and his connection to the Arizona-UCLA rivalry, including his son Luke Walton’s time as a player with the Wildcats and Bill’s decades of work behind the mic calling games for both schools.
“On behalf of the entire Walton Family (six kids and their spouses, plus fourteen grandkids), I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Position Sports for honoring Bill this November 14 during the Hall of Fame Series,” said Lori Walton, the late Bill Walton’s wife. “The matchup featuring UCLA and the University of Arizona is the perfect way to celebrate Bill’s life and his unwavering passion for basketball.
“UCLA played a pivotal role in bringing Bill into the national spotlight, paving the way for his continued success both on and off the court. Bill fondly remembered Lute Olson as the coach closest to John Wooden, and the people of Tucson provided Bill with numerous cherished memories that helped sustain him during his battle with cancer.
“Bill was incredibly proud of the Clippers’ remarkable journey since his time with the team as a player as well as their broadcaster and eagerly anticipated the creation of the Intuit Dome. The Hall of Fame Rivalry Game truly represents the perfect trifecta for Bill — UCLA, the University of Arizona, and the Intuit Dome.”
This matchup marks UCLA’s second appearance at the Intuit Dome after appearing in the arena’s inaugural college basketball event last December. Arizona, making its Intuit Dome debut, will compete in its third Hall of Fame Series event, having previously defeated then-third-ranked Alabama 87-74 in Phoenix in 2023 and facing UCLA in last year’s showdown.
“We are excited to bring the Hall of Fame Series to Los Angeles for the first time and to do so at the world-class Intuit Dome,” said Melissa Meacham-Grossman, President of Position Sports. “Additionally, there’s no more fitting way to honor Bill Walton’s extraordinary legacy than through a matchup between two programs he loved deeply and one of the most competitive rivalries in college basketball. It’s a meaningful celebration in a city and setting worthy of his impact.”
A special pregame recognition will begin the tribute to Bill Walton, with other moments planned during the event to honor his lasting impact on college basketball and his connections to both programs.
Fans can sign up for presale information now at HOFSeries.com. Further details regarding ticketing, game time, broadcast coverage, and media credentials for the event will be shared at a later date.
The Hall of Fame Series, owned and operated by Position Sports, is a premier collection of multi-game, singular events that feature top collegiate basketball programs in high-profile non-conference matchups played both domestically and abroad. Past stops have included the following cities: Baltimore (2024), Charlotte (2023), Las Vegas (2023-24), New York (2024), Phoenix (2023-24), San Antonio (2023), and Toronto (2023).
For more Hall of Fame Series information and updates, please visit HOFSeries.com or follow @HOFSeries on all social platforms.
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Arizona vs. UCLA Series History |
The Wildcats have won six of the last eight matchups, but the Bruins lead the overall series, 64-50.
Quotes from Head Coaches:
“We look forward to continuing the series with UCLA this year at a one-of-a-kind venue like the Intuit Dome while honoring the legacy of Bill Walton and his impact on both programs. This is also an important way for us to connect with our alumni and fans in Southern California, who have also helped shape the history and tradition of our university and our program.”
Tommy Lloyd | Arizona
“We are excited to return to the Intuit Dome for a great matchup in November against Arizona and the opportunity to pay tribute to Bill Walton. I know that our players really enjoyed the chance to play in the Intuit Dome last December. It’s always exciting for our guys to experience playing in an NBA arena, but the opportunity to play in such a state-of-the-art venue as the Intuit Dome was definitely a highlight for us. We are honored to be back there in November, and everyone with our program is looking forward to the upcoming season.”
Mick Cronin | UCLA
About Position Sports
Position Sports, established in 2005, is a premium event production and brand marketing firm that specializes in event operations, activation development, media relations, and digital engagement. Over the years, Position Sports has worked with many of the world’s leading brands, including Nike, Jordan Brand, Red Bull, the Basketball Hall of Fame, ESPN Events, USA Basketball, Upper Deck, MLB, and T-Mobile in nearly every major U.S. city and on a global scale. Position Sports provides clients with the expanded strategic direction needed to succeed in the sports marketing arena, also known as Positioning. To learn more, visit positionsports.com or follow @positionsports on Twitter and Instagram.
About Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and celebrating the game of basketball at every level—men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches, and contributors—both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 475 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits, and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum, and events, visit hoophall.com and follow @hoophallU.