La Mesa to Honor Hometown Hero Bill Walton with Street Naming

The city will dedicate 'Bill Walton Way' near the basketball legend's alma mater, Helix High School.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:20pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the motion and action of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the official colors of Helix High School representing the athletic prowess of the young Bill Walton.An artistic rendering captures the dynamic energy and legacy of basketball legend Bill Walton, whose hometown roots in La Mesa will be honored with a street naming near his alma mater.La Mesa Today

The La Mesa City Council has approved plans to honor the late basketball icon Bill Walton by naming a street near his high school alma mater 'Bill Walton Way.' Walton, who passed away in 2024 from cancer, was a star player for the Helix Highlanders before going on to win championships at UCLA and in the NBA.

Why it matters

Walton was a beloved figure in La Mesa and San Diego, known for his community involvement and pride in his hometown roots. Naming a street after him near Helix High, where his basketball career began, is a fitting tribute that recognizes his lasting impact on the region.

The details

The honorary street sign will be placed on a portion of Lowell Street at Normal Avenue, just steps from Helix High School. Walton led the Helix Highlanders to two CIF San Diego Section titles in 1969 and 1970 before starring at UCLA, where he won a pair of national championships. He went on to win NBA titles with the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics, and later found success as a beloved basketball commentator.

  • Walton passed away in 2024 at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer.
  • The La Mesa City Council approved the street naming at their meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Bill Walton

A basketball legend who was born and raised in La Mesa, California, starring at Helix High School before winning championships at UCLA and in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics. He later became a beloved television commentator.

Helix High School

The high school in La Mesa, California where Bill Walton played basketball and led the Helix Highlanders to two CIF San Diego Section titles in 1969 and 1970.

La Mesa City Council

The governing body of the city of La Mesa, California that approved the honorary street naming to honor the late Bill Walton.

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What they’re saying

“When that happens, 'Billy from La Mesa' will officially be home where he belongs.”

— Dave Thomas, Columnist

What’s next

An official dedication ceremony for 'Bill Walton Way' has not yet been scheduled, but is expected to take place in the coming months.

The takeaway

Bill Walton's legacy as a basketball icon and beloved community figure in La Mesa and San Diego will be cemented with the honorary street naming near his high school alma mater, a fitting tribute to the redheaded kid from La Mesa who went on to achieve greatness.