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Bob Pettit, the NBA’s first Most Valuable Player and one of the greatest power forwards in basketball history, has died at 93. LSU announced Thursday that Pettit died a day earlier. The university did not provide a cause of death.
Pettit leaves behind a remarkable legacy that stretches from Baton Rouge to the NBA’s early years. He starred at LSU before becoming a dominant force for the St. Louis Hawks, winning the league’s first MVP award in 1956 and helping the franchise claim its only championship in 1958.
Bob Pettit Leaves a Historic Basketball Legacy
Born Robert Lee Pettit Jr. on Dec. 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Pettit developed into an imposing scorer and rebounder at a time when professional basketball was still finding its identity.
At 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, he brought unusual athleticism and versatility to the forward position. Pettit could score facing the basket, battle inside, play center when needed and consistently dominate the glass. His style helped redefine what a big man could do on the court.
“Lean, graceful, and always well-conditioned,” the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame wrote in its biography of Pettit, noting that his determination separated him from his peers. The Hall of Fame later described him as a “true giant of the game.”
Powerful LSU Rise Set the Stage for NBA Stardom
Pettit remained close to home when he chose LSU, where he quickly became one of the most celebrated players in school history. During an era when freshmen were not eligible for varsity basketball, he led the Southeastern Conference in scoring in each of his three seasons.
- 25.5 points per game as a sophomore
- 24.9 points per game as a junior
- 31.4 points per game as a senior
His college achievements earned him All-American recognition and helped establish LSU as a major basketball program. Pettit is one of only three LSU players, alongside Pete Maravich and Shaquille O’Neal, to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
His No. 50 jersey is retired by LSU, and bronze statues of Pettit and O’Neal stand outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
NBA Career Featured MVP Awards and a Championship
Pettit entered the NBA with the Milwaukee Hawks and won Rookie of the Year in the 1954-55 season, the final campaign before the franchise moved to St. Louis. He became an All-Star in each of his 11 NBA seasons, a perfect run that reflected his extraordinary consistency.
In 1955-56, Pettit led the league in scoring at 25.7 points per game and captured the NBA’s inaugural MVP award. He won another regular-season MVP in 1959 after averaging 29.2 points per game.
The defining moment of his professional career came in 1958, when the Hawks defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. It remains the franchise’s lone championship. Pettit’s Hawks reached the Finals four times, facing Boston in every series.
Their first Finals meeting in 1957 ended with Boston winning Game 7 in double overtime. The Hawks then interrupted the Celtics’ historic run of nine championships in 10 seasons by winning the 1958 title. St. Louis later lost to Boston in the 1960 and 1961 Finals.
Remarkable Numbers Cemented His Place in NBA History
Pettit retired after the 1964-65 season with career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game. He finished with 20,880 points, which made him the NBA’s career scoring leader at the time, and 12,849 rebounds.
He was also named All-Star Game MVP four times, matching a record later reached by Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant. Pettit’s No. 9 is retired by the Atlanta Hawks, honoring the franchise’s connection to one of its earliest and most influential stars.
Pettit was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970. His career placed him among the era’s elite alongside Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylor.
A Lasting Connection to Louisiana
After leaving basketball, Pettit returned to Baton Rouge and worked in banking and financial consulting. He remained a familiar presence at LSU games and New Orleans Pelicans games in recent years.
His career unfolded before the NBA reached a wide television audience, and his success in a smaller market meant that many fans never saw the full extent of his talent. Even so, his influence remains deeply woven into the history of the league and LSU basketball.
Bob Pettit’s death marks the loss of a foundational figure whose scoring, rebounding and competitive spirit helped shape the modern NBA. His championship, MVP awards and enduring connection to Louisiana ensure that his legacy will remain powerful for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Bob Pettit?
Bob Pettit was an LSU basketball star and Hall of Fame NBA forward who spent all 11 of his professional seasons with the Hawks franchise.
How many NBA MVP awards did Bob Pettit win?
Pettit won two regular-season NBA MVP awards, in 1956 and 1959.
Did Bob Pettit win an NBA championship?
Yes. Pettit led the St. Louis Hawks to the 1958 NBA championship by defeating the Boston Celtics.
What were Bob Pettit’s career averages?
He retired with career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game.
Which teams retired Bob Pettit’s jersey numbers?
LSU retired Pettit’s No. 50, while the Atlanta Hawks retired his No. 9.
