Bob Pettit, one of the defining big men in NBA history and a two-time league MVP, has died at 93, the Naismith Hall of Fame announced on Twitter.
Pettit built a career that still sits near the top of the sport’s record book. When he retired in 1965, he was the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 20,880 points in 11 seasons, good for a 26.4 points-per-game average that now ranks 10th all-time. His work on the glass was just as imposing: Pettit’s 16.2 rebounds per game is the third-best mark in league history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a college standout at LSU, Pettit entered the league as the second overall pick in the 1954 draft by the Milwaukee Hawks. He wasted no time making an impact, taking Rookie of the Year honors and landing on the All-NBA first team in 1954/55 after averaging 20.4 points, 13.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 72 games.
The Hawks relocated to St. Louis in 1955, then later moved to Atlanta in 1968, and Pettit’s star only rose.
In 1955/56, he became the first MVP in NBA history, putting up a league-best 25.7 points, 16.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in 72 appearances. That season also brought the first of his four All-Star MVP awards.
Pettit’s biggest team success came in 1958, when he led St. Louis past the Celtics for the championship after the Hawks had lost to Boston in a seven-game Finals the year before.
In the series-clinching Game 6, Pettit poured in 50 points, a then-playoff record. That total still stands as the record for a Finals close-out win, even after Giannis Antetokounmpo matched it in 2021.
He helped St. Louis get back to the Finals in 1960 and 1961, but both runs ended against Boston.
Pettit also captured his second scoring title and his second regular season MVP award in 1959. A relentless offensive rebounder, he scored a major share of his points at the foul line, and his 7.8 free throws made per game and 10.3 free throw attempts per game both rank second all-time.
Across 11 seasons, Pettit was an 11-time All-Star, made 10 All-NBA first teams, and earned one second-team All-NBA selection in his final season. From 1955 through 1964, he never finished lower than sixth in MVP voting, and he placed in the top four in eight of those nine years.
Pettit is also one of only four players to be named to the NBA’s 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th anniversary teams, alongside Russell, Bob Cousy and George Mikan. His No. 9 jersey is retired by the Hawks.
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