Wilt Chamberlain is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. He famously set the record with his legendary 100-point game. His towering height and undeniable talent captivated and thrilled fans. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Wilt later noted that in his hometown, it was impossible not to fall in love with basketball. We delve deeper into the life and career of this iconic basketball player on iphiladelphia.
Early Life and Athletic Beginnings
Wilt was born in Philadelphia on August 21, 1936. He was the sixth of nine children. His father worked multiple jobs to support the family, and his mother was a maid. Through their hard work, the family managed to achieve a middle-class lifestyle. While they were ordinary people, Wilt was an extraordinary child from the very beginning.
He grew exceptionally fast, always taller than his peers. By age five, he was already working, helping deliver milk. When Wilt’s mother found out, she was furious. However, the man the boy was helping was genuinely surprised, as his young assistant looked much older.
At 10 years old, Wilt was already over six feet tall. As an adult, his official height was 7 feet 1 inch. He had to duck to get through almost any doorway, developing an instinctive reflex. At the same time, he could hold a basketball at a height of nearly 9 feet 6 inches while standing, and with a jump, he could reach almost 13 feet.
It would seem that such height was a perfect prerequisite for a basketball career, which by the 1950s had become one of America’s most popular sports. Yet, Wilt didn’t initially love it. Instead, he was genuinely passionate about running, participating in and winning school track competitions.
Wilt only started playing basketball at age 13. Gradually, he developed a taste for the game and decided to go professional. Interestingly, he wasn’t good at basketball at first. His play often drew laughter from teammates, opponents, and spectators. At the time, Wilt was nicknamed “Dipper” because of his unique way of dipping his head when going for a layup. However, he learned quickly and soon became known as “Big Dipper,” a reference to the Big Dipper constellation. Later, he was also called “Goliath.” It became clear that a new basketball star was on the rise.
A Rising Star
Overbrook High School boasted arguably the most famous basketball team in the city. It had dominated nearly every regional title, with analysts writing that its players were NBA-worthy. So, Wilt Chamberlain enrolled there.
He was given the number five jersey and began to demonstrate a level of play that soon had all of America talking. During his three years in high school, Wilt secured 56 wins and suffered only 3 losses. On average, he scored 37 points per game, and the outcome of games often became clear by halftime.
Chamberlain became the top-scoring player, receiving offers from 200 colleges nationwide after graduation. Wilt chose the University of Kansas, where he played for coach Phog Allen. In December 1956, he debuted as the new center in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In his very first game, Chamberlain scored 52 points and grabbed 31 rebounds, setting a new record at that level.
His freshman season was incredibly successful. Kansas won consistently, and Wilt’s individual statistics were astounding. The team reached the final but ultimately lost to the University of North Carolina by a single point. His sophomore season was slightly tougher, as opponents had studied Chamberlain’s game and employed more aggressive tactics.
After that season, Wilt left college and spent the next year playing for the “Harlem Globetrotters.” It was a popular basketball show, and the famous player signed a $50,000 contract with them. With the Globetrotters, Chamberlain toured and even visited the USSR.
However, a professional career still awaited the talented player. In 1959, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors.
Wilt Chamberlain’s Professional Contract and Records
Rumor had it that Wilt signed the best NBA contract at the time for $65,000. Regardless, it was clear from his very first game that Wilt was worth every penny:
- During his debut season, Chamberlain scored over 60 points in a game six times.
- After its conclusion, he was honored as both the NBA Rookie of the Year and the NBA Most Valuable Player.
- Wilt later won NBA Championships and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The most significant event of his professional career was his 100-point game against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962. His coach had predicted this possibility a year before the game, but analysts and fans were skeptical.
The weather that day was terrible, attendance was low, and no video recording was made. In the first 12 minutes, Wilt scored 23 points, and with 10 minutes left in the game, he had already racked up 75 points. The record was set with 46 seconds remaining in the game. It became the only game in NBA history to be called early.
In 1999, the basketball Chamberlain used to play that game was put up for auction by a Pennsylvania resident. It sold for a staggering $551,841.
The legendary basketball player passed away in Los Angeles on October 12, 1999. When talking about NBA stars, he is sometimes overlooked. However, he set many NBA records that no one has surpassed to this day.