Luke Walton is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 10 seasons. He was born on March 28, 1980, in San Diego, California, and grew up in a basketball family. His father, Bill Walton, is a former NBA player and Hall of Famer.
Luke Walton played college basketball at the University of Arizona, where he was a key player on the team that won the NCAA championship in 2001. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 2003 NBA draft and played for the team for nine seasons. During his time with the Lakers, he won two NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
In 2012, Luke Walton was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he played for one season before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He played for the Grizzlies for one season before being traded back to the Cavaliers, where he finished his playing career in 2013.
After retiring from playing basketball, Luke Walton began his coaching career. He started as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors in 2014 and was part of the coaching staff that won the NBA championship in 2015. In 2016, he was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he coached for three seasons.
In 2019, Luke Walton was hired as the head coach of the Sacramento Kings. He coached the team for two seasons before being fired in 2021. During his time with the Kings, he had a record of 68 wins and 93 losses.
Throughout his basketball career, Luke Walton was known for his high basketball IQ and his ability to play multiple positions on the court. He was a versatile player who could play both forward and guard positions. As a coach, he is known for his ability to develop young players and his emphasis on team play and ball movement.
In addition to his basketball career, Luke Walton is also known for his philanthropic work. He has been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Lakers Youth Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Overall, Luke Walton had a successful basketball career as both a player and a coach. He won two NBA championships as a player and was part of a championship-winning coaching staff. As a coach, he has shown promise in developing young players and emphasizing team play.
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