NBA legend Bob Pettit dies, leaving behind lasting records
Former NBA star Bob Pettit, who spent his entire career with the franchise now known as the Atlanta Hawks and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970, has died. His name remains tied to several NBA records that still stand.
The basketball world is mourning the loss of Bob Pettit, one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. His entire 11-season professional career was spent with a single franchise, which at the time was based in Milwaukee and St. Louis and is known today as the Atlanta Hawks.
Pettit's career statistics reflect remarkable consistency — he was selected to the All-Star Game in every one of his 11 seasons. Over his career he averaged 20.3 points and 16.1 rebounds per game, with the rebounding figure still standing as a record among all players in NBA history.
MVP honors and a championship
In his second NBA season, 1956, Pettit was named the league's Most Valuable Player, an honor he earned again three years later. In both of those seasons he also led the league in scoring.
In 1958, Pettit helped lead the team to what remains the franchise's only NBA championship. He and Kobe Bryant are also the only two players in NBA history to have won the All-Star Game MVP award four times.
In 1970, Bob Pettit was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, cementing his lasting impact on the sport.
