Bob Pettit Biography: Career Highlights and Personal Life
Bob Pettit is a legendary basketball player who played in the NBA for 11 seasons, all with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, having set numerous records and winning numerous awards during his career. Pettit was the first recipient of the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award and won the award again in 1959.
Pettit was born on December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended Baton Rouge High School, where he played basketball and was named to the All-State team. Pettit then went on to play college basketball at Louisiana State University, where he was a two-time All-American and led the Tigers to the Final Four in 1953. After college, Pettit was drafted by the Milwaukee Hawks in the first round of the 1954 NBA draft.
Throughout his NBA career, Pettit was known for his scoring ability, rebounding, and all-around play. He was a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection, an 11-time NBA All-Star, and won an NBA championship with the Hawks in 1958. Pettit retired from the NBA in 1965 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.
Key Takeaways
- Bob Pettit is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, having set numerous records and won numerous awards during his career.
- Pettit played college basketball at Louisiana State University and was a two-time All-American.
- Pettit was a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection, an 11-time NBA All-Star, and won an NBA championship with the Hawks in 1958.
Early Life
Bob Pettit was born on December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He grew up as the son of a sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish. Pettit’s basketball career had humble beginnings, as he was cut from the varsity basketball team as both a freshman and sophomore at Baton Rouge High School. However, he played church league basketball as a sophomore and grew five inches in less than a year, which helped him become a better player.
After graduating from high school, Pettit enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played college basketball for the LSU Tigers. He was a three-time All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and a two-time All-American. During his college career, Pettit averaged 27.4 points and 14.9 rebounds per game. He also led the Tigers to their first SEC championship in 1953.
In 1954, Pettit was selected by the Milwaukee Hawks as the second overall pick in the NBA draft. He signed with the team and began his professional basketball career. Pettit quickly became a star in the NBA and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year in his first season. Over the course of his 11-year career, Pettit played for the Milwaukee Hawks and the St. Louis Hawks and was a 10-time All-Star. He also won two NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and led the St. Louis Hawks to an NBA championship in 1958.
High School Basketball Career
Bob Pettit’s basketball career had humble beginnings. He attended Baton Rouge High School where he was cut from the varsity basketball team as both a freshman and sophomore. Despite this setback, he continued to play church league basketball as a sophomore and grew five inches in less than a year.
Pettit’s growth spurt, coupled with his determination to improve his game, paid off. He made the varsity basketball team as a junior and quickly became one of the team’s best players. In his senior year, he led the team to a state championship and was named Louisiana’s Mr. Basketball.
During his high school career, Pettit was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game. He spent countless hours practicing his shooting and dribbling skills, and his hard work paid off on the court. Despite his early struggles, he went on to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Overall, Pettit’s high school basketball career was a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport. Despite facing early setbacks, he never gave up on his dream of becoming a great basketball player, and his hard work and determination paid off in the end.
College Basketball Career
Bob Pettit played college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1951 to 1954. During his time at LSU, Pettit was a standout player and helped lead the team to two Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships.
In his freshman year, Pettit averaged 13.8 points per game and was named to the All-SEC team. He continued to improve in his sophomore year, averaging 17.8 points per game and leading the SEC in rebounding with 14.6 rebounds per game.
In his junior year, Pettit averaged 25.5 points per game and led the nation in rebounding with 17.3 rebounds per game. He was named a consensus All-American and was the first LSU player to receive the honor. Pettit’s senior year was equally impressive, as he averaged 31.4 points per game and 17.3 rebounds per game. He was again named a consensus All-American and was also named the SEC Player of the Year.
During his college career, Pettit scored 2,238 points and grabbed 1,239 rebounds. He still holds the LSU records for career points and rebounds.
Louisiana State University
LSU has a long and storied basketball history, and Bob Pettit is one of the program’s greatest players. Pettit’s success at LSU earned him induction into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1967 and the SEC Basketball Legends Class of 2002.
NBA Career
Bob Pettit played his entire NBA career with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks from 1954 to 1965. During his career, he became one of the most dominant players in the league and helped lead the Hawks to their only NBA Championship in 1958.
Milwaukee Hawks
Pettit was drafted by the Milwaukee Hawks with the second overall pick in the 1954 NBA Draft. He made an immediate impact, averaging 20.4 points and 13.8 rebounds per game in his rookie season and earning Rookie of the Year honors. He continued to improve over the next few seasons, becoming one of the league’s top scorers and rebounders.
St. Louis Hawks
In 1955, the Hawks moved to St. Louis, and Pettit continued to thrive. He won his first MVP award in 1956 after leading the league in scoring and rebounding. He won the award again in 1959 after leading the Hawks to the NBA Championship. Pettit was named to the All-NBA First Team ten times and was a 11-time All-Star.
Pettit retired after the 1964-65 season, finishing his career with averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game. He scored over 20,000 points in his career, becoming the first player in NBA history to do so. In 1970, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Post Basketball Career
After retiring from basketball, Bob Pettit continued to stay involved in the world of sports. He pursued a career in coaching and also remained active in various charitable organizations.
Coaching Career
Pettit’s coaching career began in 1967 when he became the head coach of the New Orleans Buccaneers in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He led the team to a 42-42 record in his first season and was named ABA Coach of the Year. Pettit continued to coach the team until 1969.
In 1972, Pettit became an assistant coach for the New Orleans Jazz of the NBA. He remained with the team until 1975 when he left to focus on his business interests.
Personal Life
Bob Pettit has been active in various charitable organizations throughout his life. He has worked with the Special Olympics, the United Way, and the March of Dimes. In recognition of his philanthropic efforts, he was awarded the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1975.
Pettit has also been successful in business. He founded a construction company in 1966 and later started a successful automobile dealership in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In his personal life, Pettit has been married to his wife, Carol, since 1955. They have four children together and several grandchildren. Pettit continues to reside in Baton Rouge and remains a beloved figure in the community.
Legacy
Bob Pettit’s legacy in basketball is one of greatness and excellence. He is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time and his impact on the sport cannot be overstated.
Awards and Honors
Pettit’s trophy case is filled with numerous awards and honors. He was a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1956 and 1959, making him the first player in NBA history to win the award twice. He was also a 10-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA First Team selection. In addition, he was the NBA All-Star Game MVP four times and was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971.
Impact on Basketball
Pettit’s impact on basketball can be seen in the way the game is played today. He was one of the first players to use the jump shot as a primary weapon, paving the way for future players to develop their own jump shots. His ability to score from anywhere on the court made him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams and helped to revolutionize the power forward position.
Off the court, Pettit was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game. He was a fierce competitor who always gave his best effort, and his commitment to excellence inspired generations of basketball players to follow in his footsteps.
Overall, Bob Pettit’s legacy is one of greatness and excellence. His impact on basketball will be felt for generations to come, and his place in the pantheon of basketball legends is secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams did Bob Pettit play for in the NBA?
Bob Pettit played for the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks during his entire NBA career from 1954 to 1965.
How many NBA championships did Bob Pettit win?
Bob Pettit won one NBA championship in 1958 as a member of the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks.
What college did Bob Pettit attend?
Bob Pettit attended Louisiana State University (LSU) where he was a three-time All-Southeastern Conference selection and a two-time All-American as a member of the LSU men’s basketball team.
What were Bob Pettit’s career stats?
Bob Pettit had a remarkable career in the NBA. He scored a total of 20,880 points, had 12,849 rebounds, and 2,369 assists in 792 games played. He also had a career average of 26.4 points per game, 16.2 rebounds per game, and 3.0 assists per game.
When did Bob Pettit retire from the NBA?
Bob Pettit retired from the NBA in 1965 after playing for the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks for 11 seasons.
How tall was Bob Pettit?
Bob Pettit was 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall.