Moses Malone
Three-time NBA MVP and Hall of Fame center who dominated the boards and led the 76ers to the 1983 championship.
Moses Eugene Malone Sr. (March 23, 1955 – September 13, 2015) was an American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1974 through 1995. A center, he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times, was a 12-time NBA All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA Team selection. Malone led the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA championship in 1983, winning both the league and Finals MVP. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2001. Malone is widely regarded as one of the greatest centers and players of all time.
- Role
- Center
- Affiliation
- Houston Rockets (1976–1982)
- Status
- Retired Legend
- Major Honours
- 3× NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Champion (1983), NBA Finals MVP (1983), 12× NBA All-Star, 8× All-NBA Team
- Nickname
- The Chairman of the Boards
Lore & Background
Malone began his professional career out of high school after he was selected in the third round of the 1974 ABA draft by the Utah Stars. He was named an ABA All-Star as a rookie and played two seasons in the league until it merged with the NBA in 1976. He landed in the NBA with the Buffalo Braves, who traded him after two games to the Houston Rockets. Malone became a five-time All-Star in six seasons with the Rockets. After leading the NBA in rebounding in 1979, he was named league MVP for the first time. He led the Rockets to the NBA Finals in 1981, and won his second MVP award in 1982. Traded to Philadelphia the following season, he repeated as MVP and led the 76ers to the 1983 championship. In his first of two stints with Philadelphia, he was an All-Star in each of his four seasons. Following another trade, Malone was an All-Star in his only two seasons with the then Washington Bullets (today's Wizards). He signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Hawks, earning his 12th straight and final NBA All-Star selection in his first season. In his later years, he played with the Milwaukee Bucks before returning to the 76ers and completing his career with the San Antonio Spurs.
In Their Own Story
Malone Jr. transferred to South Carolina State for his junior and senior seasons. As a senior, he averaged 15.7 points per game, leading the Bulldogs to the 2003 NCAA tournament. His father, Moses Malone, was a three-time NBA Most Valuable Player.
Reader's Guide
Malone was a tireless and physical player who led the NBA in rebounding six times, including a then-record five straight seasons (1981–1985). Nicknamed the 'Chairman of the Boards' for his rebounding prowess, he finished his career as the all-time leader in offensive rebounds after leading both the ABA and NBA in the category a combined nine times. Combining his ABA and NBA statistics, Malone ranks tenth all-time in career points (29,580) and third in total rebounds (17,834). He was named to the ABA All-Time Team along with the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams.
Did You Know?
- Malone was the first player in modern professional basketball to enter directly from high school.
- He set a then-NBA record with 437 offensive rebounds in a season as a rookie, and later set an all-time single-season record with 587 offensive rebounds in 1978–79.
- Malone led the Houston Rockets to the NBA Finals in 1981, where they lost to the Boston Celtics.
The Chairman of the Boards: A Rebounding Revolution
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A Trailblazing Path from High School to Stardom
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The MVP Era: Dominance with Houston and Philadelphia
The source does not cover this section for Moses Malone Jr.
A Legacy Beyond the Court: Longevity and Hall of Fame
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Moses Malone during his time with Houston?
Moses Malone was a dominant center who joined the Rockets in 1982 and immediately became one of the league's most feared interior players.
What years did he play for the franchise?
He spent five seasons with the team, spanning from the 1982-83 season through the 1985-86 campaign before departing via trade.
Did Moses Malone win an NBA championship in Houston?
No, his tenure ended prior to the Rockets' back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995, though he did secure a ring with Philadelphia earlier.
What was his primary role on the court?
He anchored the frontcourt as an elite rebounder and scorer who controlled the paint with relentless energy and physicality.
Why is he considered a Rockets legend today?
Malone brought immediate star power to Houston, setting a standard for interior dominance that influenced future eras of success.
More in Legendary Players & Coaches
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