WILTON N. CHAMBERLAIN
1936 – 1999
Inducted – 1997

A large and powerful man at 7’-1”, Wilt Chamberlain is considered by many to be the greatest offensive player in basketball history. A high school All-American out of Philadelphia, consensus college All-American at Kansas in 1957 and 1958, Chamberlain led the Jayhawks to the NCAA finals in 1957 earning Most Valuable Player honors. Scored 52 points in his varsity debut. Averaged 29.9 points and 18.9 rebounds in his two seasons at KU. Played for the Harlem Globetrotters in 1958 before being drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors in the first round of the 1959 NBA draft. His impact on the NBA was immediate as he became the first player to earn Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors in his first season, 1960. During his 14-year NBA career, he played with Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, where he set many NBA records including Most Points Scored in a career 31,419; season – 4,029; and game – 100; Scoring average, career – 30.1 ppg; season – 50.4 ppg; 1962. He scored over 55 points in 72 games. Wilt also set rebounding records with 23,924 in his career, 2,149 in one season and 55 in one game. Led NBA in scoring seven years, rebounding 11 years, and in assists in 1968. Chamberlain played 47,859 minutes in 1,045 games, and never fouled out. He played on NBA championship teams in Philadelphia, 1967, and Los Angeles, 1972. Played in 13 All-Star games; MVP, 1960. Chosen as the NBA’s MVP in 1960, 1966, 1967, and 1968. Selected to NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, 1996. Inducted Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, 1978. Born August 21, 1936 – Philadelphia, PA. Died October 12, 1999 – Los Angeles, CA. Graduated Overbrook High, Philadelphia, 1955; Attended the University of Kansas, 1956-58.