Pete Maravich
(1947-1988)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1987
Card Shown:
1971-72 Topps
Position: PG/SG
Height: 6’5″
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Pete Maravich, also known as “The Pistol” or “Pistol Pete” was known for being one of the most creative offensive talents of all time. His fancy dribbling, sensational passes, and razzle-dazzle style thrilled fans wherever he played.
Maravich was perhaps the greatest college basketball player ever. He led the NCAA in scoring for three consecutive years and still holds the NCAA career scoring record. Pete won the Naismith Award as the Player of the Year in 1970.
When he left LSU Pete received a $1.9 million dollar contract from the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, the richest contract ever offered to a college player at the time. During his 10-year career he played for the Hawks, the Utah and New Orleans Jazz, and the Boston Celtics. His dreams of winning a championship went unfulfilled.
Pete Maravich died suddenly after a pick-up basketball game in 1988 at the age of 40. He had become a born again Christian and had flown into Pasadena to do some radio work with Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family. They had been playing basketball together before he collapsed. Pete’s untimely death was found to be the result of a previously undetected congenital heart defect. He was survived by his wife Jackie and his sons Jaeson and Josh.
Awards and Honors
- He led the NCAA in scoring for three straight years from 1968-1970.
- Three-time First-Team All-American at LSU
- Won the Naismith Award as Player of the Year in 1970
- Leading scorer in the NBA in 1976-1977 with a 31.1 points per game average
- Pete was a 5-time NBA All-Star.
Points of Interest
- In three years at LSU Pete averaged an incredible 44.2 points per game, an NCAA record.
- Maravich also holds the NCAA record for most career points with 3,667.
- He was known for his trademark floppy socks and mop of brown hair.
- Maravich and Oscar Robertson are still the only players to win the NCAA scoring title three times. Both of them might have won it four times but they played basketball at a time when freshman were not allowed to play on the varsity team.
- Chosen as one of the “50 Greatest Players” of all time in 1997.
Statistics
Pete Maravich Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com