NBA legend and Hall of Famer Bob Pettit has died at the age of 93. Pettit’s death was announced Thursday by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. A cause of death was not provided.
One of the NBA’s first true superstars, Pettit spent his entire 11-year career with the Milwaukee and St. Louis Hawks, now known as the Atlanta Hawks, after being selected with the second overall pick in the 1954 NBA Draft.
The 6-foot-9 forward made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year and earning All-NBA First Team honors in his debut season.
From there, Pettit became one of the most decorated players of his generation.
He was selected as an All-Star and made an All-NBA team in every season of his career, while also becoming the recipient of the NBA’s first MVP award in 1955-56. He won the award again three years later.
But Pettit’s defining moment came in the 1958 NBA Finals.
Facing a Boston Celtics team that would dominate the era, Pettit delivered 50 points and 19 rebounds in Game 6 to lead St. Louis to a 110-109 victory and the franchise’s first championship.
His 50 points remained the most ever scored in a Finals-clinching game until Giannis Antetokounmpo matched the mark in 2021.
Celtics legend Bill Russell later spoke about what made Pettit such a difficult opponent.
“Bob Pettit worked harder than almost any player I’ve ever seen,” Russell said. “That series was no exception – he scored 50 points in Game 6 of that Finals. His name was synonymous with second effort.”
Pettit also became the first player in NBA history to reach 20,000 career points before retiring in 1965.
His place among the game’s early greats continued to be recognized long after his career ended. Pettit was named to the NBA’s 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams, joining Russell, Bob Cousy and George Mikan as the only players selected to all four.
Pettit was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971. LSU also retired his No. 50 after his two-time All-American college career, making him the first athlete in school history to receive the honor.
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