Two‑time NBA MVP Bob Pettit has died at 93, the Hall of Fame announced via Twitter.
Widely hailed as one of the all‑time great power forwards, Pettit retired in 1965 as the league’s scoring king with 20,880 points in 11 seasons, averaging 26.4 per game – now the tenth‑best total.
His 16.2 rebounds per game rank third in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
Born in Baton Rouge and a LSU product, Pettit was taken second overall by the Milwaukee Hawks in 1954. He earned Rookie of the Year and made the All‑NBA first team in 1954/55, posting 20.4 points, 13.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 72 games.
When the Hawks moved to St. Louis in 1955 (later to Atlanta in 1968), Pettit captured the league’s first MVP award in 1955/56, posting a league‑leading 25.7 points, 16.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 72 contests. He also secured the inaugural All‑Star MVP that season.
Pettit guided St. Louis to the 1958 title, avenging a previous Finals loss to Boston. In Game 6’s one‑point clincher he poured in 50 points, a playoff record that still stands as the highest total in a Finals‑closing game, even after Giannis Antetokounmpo matched it in 2021.
The Hawks returned to the Finals in 1960 and 1961, falling both times to the Celtics. Pettit earned his second scoring crown and regular‑season MVP in 1959, and his prowess on the offensive glass was legendary; his 7.8 made free throws and 10.3 attempts per game rank second all‑time.
Across 11 seasons Pettit was a fixture in the All‑Star lineup (11 times), snagged ten first‑team All‑NBA honors and a second‑team nod in his final year. He never dropped below sixth in MVP voting from 1955‑64 and finished in the top four in eight of those nine campaigns.
Only four players have graced the NBA’s 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th anniversary squads – Pettit, Russell, Bob Cousy and George Mikan. In my view, retiring his No. 9 jersey by the Hawks solidifies his enduring legacy.
We at Hoops Rumors extend our sympathies to Pettit’s family and friends. Will future fans keep his groundbreaking achievements alive?