Pettit Bob basketball player

Bob Pettit

Key Career Moment of Bob Pettit

Bob Pettit made NBA history in 1958 when he led the St. Louis Hawks to their first and only championship, defeating the Boston Celtics in a thrilling six-game series. His defining moment came in Game 6, where he dropped a legendary 50-point performance-still one of the greatest Finals performances in NBA history.

Bob Pettit was unstoppable that night, said Celtics legend Bill Russell.

Checkout the latest stats of Bob Pettit. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, shoots, school and more on Sports Reference ®.

He just refused to lose.

This victory cemented Pettit's reputation as one of basketball's fiercest competitors.

Unique Skill of Bob Pettit

Bob Pettit revolutionized the power forward position with his unmatched mid-range shooting and relentless rebounding. Standing at 6'9, he combined size, agility, and a deadly bank shot that defenders struggled to contest.

His ability to dominate both inside and outside made him one of the NBA's first true stretch forwards.

Bob Pettit's Stats

  • 2-time NBA MVP (1956, 1959)
  • Career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game
  • 11-time All-Star in 11 NBA seasons

Bob Pettit's Legacy in the NBA

Bob Pettit's career laid the foundation for modern power forwards, influencing generations of players with his scoring and tenacity.

He played 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Milwaukee/St.

A unique fact: He was the first NBA player to surpass 20,000 career points, a milestone that highlighted his consistency. After retiring in 1965, Pettit remained a basketball ambassador, and his No. 9 jersey was retired by the Hawks. His impact endures as one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players, forever remembered as a pioneer of the game.


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