Bob Pettit is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. His career spanned from 1954 to 1965, playing for the Milwaukee / St Louis Hawks, now the Atlanta Hawks. In 1958, he became an NBA Champion. He is also a two-time NBA MVP and an 11-time NBA All-Star starting in 1955 through to his retirement in 1965.
In 1971, he was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was also named to the College Basketball Hall of Fame. He is one of the four players who have been named to all four of the NBA Anniversary teams.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Robert Lee Pettit Jr. was born on December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He stands 206 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 93 kg. He played power forward and center and he is a right-handed player. He was married to his wife Carole until she died in 2010. They had three children together.
| Position | Power Forward |
| Height / weight | 2.06 m / 93 kg |
| Born | 12 Dec 1932 |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
| Team History | |
Milwaukee Hawks
|
1954 - 1965 |
High School and College Career
He was cut from the basketball team in his high school in his junior and sophomore years. After he grew taller, he became a starter for his team. He helped lead Baton Rouge High School to win the state championship. He received 14 college offers and he decided to go to Louisiana State University. While there, he was named to the 1953 Consensus Second Team All-American and the 1954 Consensus First-Team All-American. Later, LSU retired Jersey Number 50 in his honor.
Professional Career
Pettit was drafted into the NBA during the 1954 NBA Draft. He was picked by the then-Milwaukee Hawks in the first round. He was their 2nd overall pick. He was with the team when they became the St. Louis Hawks. They are now known as the Atlanta Hawks.
He was the 1955 Rookie of the Year. In his first year with the team, he was named an NBA All-Star for the first time. He was named the 1956 NBA MVP. In 1958, he helped lead his team to become NBA Champions. Pettit was also the NBA Scoring Champion in 1956 and 1959. He retired from the NBA in 1965. In 1970, he was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
He was named to all four of the NBA Anniversary Teams (25th, 30th, 50th, and 75th). After retiring from the NBA, he worked in Finance.
Career Highlights
- 1958 - NBA champion
- 1956, 1959 - NBA MVP
- 1955–1965 - NBA All-Star
- 1956, 1958, 1959, 1962 - NBAAll-Star Game MVP
- 1955–1964 - All-NBA First Team
- 1955–1964 - All-NBA Second Team
- 1955 - NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1956, 1959 - NBA scoring champion
1956 - NBA rebounding leader
- NBA anniversary team (25th, 35th,50th, 75th)
No. 9 retired by Atlanta Hawks
- 1954 - Consensus first-teamAll-American
- 1953 - Consensus second-teamAll-American
No. 50 retired by LSU Tigers
- Basketball Hall of Fame - 1971
- College Basketball Hall of Fame -2006
