NBA Legend Bob Pettit Passes Away At 93

A Basketball Legend Passes Away

The basketball world is mourning the loss of one of its greatest pioneers. Bob Pettit, a legendary scorer and rebounder who dominated the early years of the NBA, has died at the age of 93. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced his passing on Thursday.

Pettit spent 11 seasons in the NBA and made the All-Star team in every single one of them. He established himself as one of the most consistent and dominant players of his era, leaving behind a legacy that few have ever matched.

Record-Breaking NBA Career

Pettit was the very first player to win the NBA Most Valuable Player award, taking home the honor in the 1955-56 season. He won his second MVP award in the 1958-59 season. During both of those MVP campaigns, he led the entire league in scoring, averaging 25.7 points in the first and 29.2 points in the second.

He was also a four-time All-Star Game MVP. This is an incredible achievement that has only been matched by Kobe Bryant.

His greatest team success came in 1958 when he led the Hawks to an NBA championship. They defeated the Boston Celtics in the finals. In the decisive Game 6, Pettit scored 50 points to seal the title. At the time, that was a playoff record. He also helped lead the Hawks to four NBA Finals appearances during his career.

College Success and Early Years

Before becoming a professional star, Pettit was a standout player at LSU. In his senior college season, he averaged 31.4 points and 17.3 rebounds per game.

His college success made him a top prospect. The Milwaukee Hawks selected him with the second overall pick in the 1954 draft. One year later, the franchise relocated and became the St. Louis Hawks.

Pettit made an immediate impact in the professional ranks. He won the Rookie of the Year award after averaging 20.8 points and 13.8 rebounds per game in his first season. He remained a dominant force for his entire career, cementing his place in basketball history.