The La Mesa City Council will discuss adding a ‘Bill Walton Way’ sign at an intersection near Helix High School.

LA MESA, Calif. — The La Mesa City Council will discuss next week to honor the late basketball great Bill Walton by adding a “Bill Walton Way” sign at the intersection of Lowell Street and Normal Avenue, near Helix High School where he grew up and played.

Councilmember Patricia Dillard brought forward the tribute, which appears on Tuesday’s city council agenda. Walton died in 2024 after battling cancer. 

The basketball legend played at UCLA and in the NBA before transitioning to broadcasting, leaving a significant impact on the San Diego area.

Walton’s high school roots run deep in La Mesa. Charlie Rosenberger, a former part-time teacher, watched Walton play basketball at Helix High School and remembers his dominance on the court. “He towered over all the rest of the guys, it was actually kind of funny to watch cause he would stand right by the basket and they throw the ball in and drop it in and nobody could stop him … he’s a legend for sure,” said Charlie Rosenberger, who lives in La Mesa. 

The proposed street sign would recognize Walton’s local ties and outstanding legacy. Rosenberger believes the honor is fitting given Walton’s national and international prominence. “I think it’s good, I mean their very few, he’s a big celebrity the only other local celebrity I can think of is Dennis Hopper. 

But I would say was nationally known or world known. Really Bill Walton was known by the world so I think it would be a great thing,” Rosenberger said.

Walton’s influence extended far beyond San Diego. Dan Mangarin, who lives outside La Mesa, met Walton at the airport and was struck by his friendly demeanor. “He was iconic basketball player obviously, one of the greatest centers  ever to play the game didn’t play very long cause he got hurt,” said 

Mangarin. “It was nice, he was very friendly, told him I appreciated his athleticism and his work, played for the Portland Trailblazers, I was a Lakers fan,” Mangarin added.

The City Council is expected to discuss the addition of Bill Walton Way on Tuesday.