Wilt Chamberlain was a professional basketball player. He played for the Harlem Globetrotters and then the National Basketball Association from 1958 to 1973. He later coached in the American Basketball Association.
Chamberlain is considered one of the best players of his generation. He twice became an NBA Champion in 1967 and in 1972. In ‘72, he was also named the NBA Finals MVP. He was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player four times and an NBA All-Star 13 times.
Player Profile, Personal Life, Death
Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States of America. He stood 216 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 125 kg. He shot right, played center, and he wore jersey Number 13.
Position | Center |
Height / weight | 2.16 m / 125 kg |
Born | 21 Aug 1936 |
Died | 12 Oct 1999 (63 years) |
Nationality |
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Playing Style | Right Handed |
Nickname | The Big Dipper |
Team History | |
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1968 - 1973 |
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1965 - 1968 |
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1959 - 1965 |
Harlem Globetrotters | 1958 - 1959 |
He grew tall at an early age and was not particularly interested in playing basketball in his younger years. Chamberlain only started getting into basketball in high school.
In his playing years, he was known for his womanizing and multiple relationships. For a year from 1973 to 1974, he coached for the San Diego Conquistadors in the ABA.
Chamberlain had a history of cardiovascular issues and was even hospitalized in 1992 because of an irregular heartbeat. His condition deteriorated in the 1990s and he died of congestive heart failure in 1999. He died on October 12, 1999, in Los Angeles, California.
High School and College Career
Chamberlain attended Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. In 1955, he was named Mr. Basketball USA.
Later, he committed to college basketball for the University of Kansas and was there from 1956 to 1958. While there, he was named a Consecutive First-team All-American in 1957 and 1958. He was also named the 1957 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
The Kansas Jayhawks later retired Jersey Number 13 in Chamberlain’s honor.
Professional Career
He started his playing career with the Harlem Globetrotters. He did not join the NBA until 1959 when he became a territorial pick and was selected by the then-Philadelphia Warriors.
In 1960, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. He was also named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career that year. He would be named an All-Star a total of 13 times.
Also in 1960, he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player. He would be named the NBA MVP three more times from 1966 to 1968.
In 1965, he transitioned with the Warriors into the Philadelphia 76ers and played with them through to 1978. He won his first NBA Championship with them in 1967.
From 1968 to 1973, he started playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. In that time, he won the NBA Championship again and in 1972, he was named the NBA Finals MVP.
He retired in 1973 and he was named an NBA All-Star one more time that year, his 13th – echoing his jersey number.
Wilt Chamberlain retired from playing basketball in 1973 with career statistics of 31,419 points, 23,924 rebounds, and 4,643 assists.
From 1973 to 1974, he coached the San Diego Conquistadors in the American Basketball Association.
Career Highlights
- 1967, 1972 - NBA champion
- 1972 - NBA Finals MVP
- 1960, 1966–1968 - NBA Most Valuable Player
- 1960–1969, 1971–1973 - NBA All-Star
- 1960 - NBA All-Star Game MVP
- 1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968 - All-NBA First Team
- 1963, 1965, 1972 - All-NBA Second Team
- 1972, 1973 - NBA All-Defensive First Team
- 1960 - NBA Rookie of the Year
- 1960–1966 - NBA scoring champion
- 1960–1963, 1966–1969, 1971–1973 - NBA rebounding champion
1968 - NBA assist leader
- Most Points in One Game (100)
- Most Rebounds in One Game (55)
- NBA anniversary team (35th, 50th, 75th)
- No. 13 retired by the Harlem Globetrotters
- No. 13 retired by the Golden State Warriors
- No. 13 retired by the Philadelphia 76ers
No. 13 retired by the Los Angeles Lakers
- 1957 - NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player
- 1957, 1958 - Consensus first-team All-American
1957 - First-team All-Big 7
No. 13 jersey was retired by Kansas Jayhawks
- 1955 - Mr. Basketball USA
Career Statistics
- Points - 31,419 (30.1 ppg)
- Rebounds - 23,924 (22.9 rpg)
Assists - 4,643 (4.4 apg)
- Basketball Hall of Fame as a player
- College Basketball Hall of Fame, Inducted in 2006
Team History
As a Coach:
- 1973–1974 - San Diego Conquistadors
People Ask
What nicknames have Wilt Chamberlain gone by?
Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, Dippy, Dip, The Load, Big Musty, The Record Book, Hook and Ladder, Wiltie, Whip, Whipper, and Norm.
How many times was Wilt Chamberlain an NBA Champion?
He has 2. He became an NBA Champion in 1967 and 1972.
How tall was Wilt Chamberlain?
He stood 216 cm or 7 feet and 1 inch tall.