Bob Pettit, a two-time NBA MVP and one of the greatest power forwards in league history, has passed away at the age of 93.
Pettit retired in 1965 as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, having amassed 20,880 points over 11 seasons. He remains third all-time in rebounds per game, averaging 16.2, behind only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
Born in Baton Rouge, Pettit played college basketball at LSU before being selected second overall by the Milwaukee Hawks in the 1954 NBA Draft. He made an immediate impact, earning Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the All-NBA First Team in his debut season.
In the 1955-56 season, Pettit became the NBA’s first-ever Most Valuable Player, averaging 25.7 points and 16.2 rebounds per game. That same year, he won his first All-Star Game MVP award, a distinction he would earn four times in total throughout his career.
Pettit led the St. Louis Hawks to the NBA championship in 1958, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.
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