Heroes come and go, but legends are forever.
Aside from Kobe Bryant celebrating Mamba Day this weekend, the NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain was born on this day, August 21, according to the Golden State Warriors on X.
The 7-foot-1 center entered the league in a different era in 1959, where there were no soft calls, more like a physicality match, but still became a four-time MVP and and 13-time NBA All-Star.
Statistics
Chamberlain was known as “Wilt the Stilt” or the “Big Dipper.” He averaged 30.1 points per game over his career and holds career records, including the most points scored in a season (4,029) and the most points in a single game (100).
In his best season, 1961-62, he averaged the highest 50.4 points per game, where Michael Jordan is the closest to reaching more than 37.
Another record mark was his minutes per game, which reached 48.5. He was never substituted out of the season, as he only missed eight minutes of one game due to ejection in the fourth quarter.
Stints
After college at the University of Kansas, Chamberlain was first with the Harlem Globetrotters, where he spent a year due to the rule of going to the professional league.
He joined the Philadelphia Warriors, 1959-65, and the team became the San Francisco Warriors in 1962. Months later, he went back to Philadelphia to play for the 76ers, 1965-68.
The legendary big man finished his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, 1968-73.
During the 76ers’ stint, the two-time champion won three MVPs and guided the Sixers to the finals run in 1967.
Chamberlain earned two titles with the 76ers in 1967 and the Lakers in 1972.
He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.
