| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
The 7-foot 2-inch (2.18 m) Chamberlain, known as Wilt the Stilt (a nickname he loathed) or The Big Dipper, holds nearly 100 NBA records, including the record for most points in a game -- 100, which he scored on March 2, 1962, against the New York Knicks in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He averaged over 30 points and over 22 rebounds per game for his entire career. He led the NBA in rebounding 11 times, led in shooting percentage seven times, led in scoring seven times, and even led in assists one season. In his 14 years in the NBA, he never once fouled out of a game, despite being the centerpiece on defense for each team he played for.
Chamberlain scored 31,419 points in 1,045 pro games. This was the best in the league when he retired in 1974, though his scoring total has since been exceeded by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone, both of whom played several more seasons than Chamberlain. His career scoring average of 30.06 points per game (ppg) is second-highest in league history, fractionally behind Michael Jordan (30.12 ppg).
Born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAlternate meanings: Philadelphia (disambiguation Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the United States and the largest city in Pennsylvania, occupying all of Philadelphia County . As of the 2000 census, the population was 1,517,550, but a July 1, 20, Chamberlain drew national attention playing at Overbrook High School , played two years for the University of KansasThe University of Kansas (often referred to as KU is an institution of higher learning located in Lawrence, Kansas. The University was founded in 1864. It had a fall 2003 enrollment of 29,272. The University's School of Medicine is located in Kansas City, (losing a national championship in triple overtime), and went professional in 1958Events January January 1 Treaty of Rome founding the EU is implemented January 4 Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4 1957) January 8 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship January 18 Armed Lumbee Nat. He played two years for the Harlem GlobetrottersThe Harlem Globetrotters are a comic basketball team that combined athleticism and comedy to create one of the best-known sports franchises in the world. Created by Abe Saperstein in 1927 in the United States, over the years, they have toured more than 10 before becoming eligible for the NBA, then played for the Philadelphia WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors are a National Basketball Association team based in Oakland, California. Founded 1946 Formerly known as Philadelphia Warriors, San Francisco Warriors Home Arena Oakland Arena Uniform colors Midnight blue, Golden yellow, and Red L (later San Francisco Warriors) from 1959Events January-February January 1 Cultivars of plants named after this date must be named in a modern language, not in Latin. January 1 Cuba: Fulgencio Batista flees Havana when forces of Fidel Castro advance January 2 CBS Radio cuts four soap operas: Bac through 1964Events January January 1 Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is dissolved. January 3 Senator Barry Goldwater announces that he will seek the Republican nomination for President. January 5 In the first meeting between leaders of the Roman Catholic and Ort, Philadelphia 76ersThe Philadelphia 76ers are a National Basketball Association team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded 1946-47 Syracuse Nationals in National Basketball League, joined the National Basketball Association in 1949-50. Formerly known as Syracuse Nati from 1965- 1968, and the Los Angeles Lakers from 1968 until his retirement in 1973. He won two NBA championships: in 1967 with the 76ers, and in 1972 with the Lakers.
His battles with Boston Celtics center Bill Russell were legendary; they were fierce competitors on the court, yet were close personal friends off the hardwood. Wilt also earned accolades for other sports, including track and field, volleyball and auto racing, among others. He flirted with boxing, and was offered a pro football contract by the-then AFL ( American Football League) Kansas City Chiefs in 1966. He also was an actor, celebrity and businessman after his playing career concluded. In 1984, he co-starred (along with future Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger) in Conan the Destroyer.
He authored four books before his death on October 12, 1999, including an autobiography, A View from Above , in which he controversially claimed to have had sex with almost 20,000 women — this would have averaged 1.2 women per day from age 15 until his death. Many people doubted his specific number, though few questioned the fact of wild sexual behavior. He drew heavy criticism from many public figures, who accused him of fulfilling stereotypes about African-Americans, and of behaving irresponsibly (especially given the AIDS crisis, which was well underway by the 1980s, when many of the conquests were made). Chamberlain defended himself, saying "I was just doing what was natural — chasing good-looking ladies, whoever they were and wherever they were available". He also noted that he never tried to sleep with a woman who was married.
Chamberlain always wore a rubber band around his wrist, due to a superstition, and was fond of saying that "Nobody roots for Goliath." He died unexpectedly of a heart attack in his sleep in his Los Angeles, California home.