Bob Pettit
The original Hawks MVP and first to 20,000 points.
Robert Lee Pettit Jr. ( PET-it; born December 12, 1932) is an American former professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), all with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965). In 1956, he became the first recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award and he won the award again in 1959. He also won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award four times. As of the end of 2025–2026 regular season, Pettit is still the only regular season MVP in the history of the Hawks. Pettit is the Hawks' franchise leader for most career rebounds (12,849), and most rebounds per game with 16.2. The first NBA player to score more than 20,000 points, Pettit was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970. He is one of four players who was named to all four NBA anniversary teams and one of only two living members as of 2025 with Bob Cousy. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time.
- NBA All-Star Game MVP Awards
- 4
- Consecutive Wins
- Yes (1958, 1959)
- Joint MVP Years
- 1959
- Host Team MVP Years
- 1958, 1962
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Pettit was born on December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was cut from his high school varsity team as a freshman and sophomore, but grew five inches in less than a year and became a starter as a junior. As a senior, he led Baton Rouge High to its first state championship in over 20 years. He accepted a scholarship to LSU, where he was a three-time All-SEC selection and two-time All-American. He averaged 27.8 points per game over three varsity seasons. In 1954, his number 50 was retired at LSU, the first Tiger athlete in any sport to receive this distinction. Bob Pettit Boulevard in Baton Rouge is named after him.
In Their Own Story
In February 1959, the court witnessed a historic tie as Bob Pettit and Elgin Baylor were both named co-MVPs of the All-Star Game. This moment highlighted the peak of Pettit’s influence during a decade where he consistently outperformed peers from rival franchises like the Lakers. The source notes that in 1958, Pettit won the award while playing for St. Louis, and again in 1959 alongside Baylor. These victories were part of his four total wins, cementing his status as a two-time consecutive winner. The tension between the Hawks and the Lakers was palpable during these years; Pettit’s ability to dominate the All-Star selection process mirrored his regular-season battles against Minneapolis stars like George Mikan and later Magic Johnson-era successors.
Reader's Guide
Pettit was drafted second overall by the Milwaukee Hawks in 1954. He won NBA Rookie of the Year in 1955 after averaging 20.4 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. He led the Hawks to the NBA championship in 1958, scoring a then-playoff record 50 points in the clinching Game 6. He won NBA MVP in 1956 and 1959, and NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1962. He is the first NBA player to score more than 20,000 points. He retired in 1965 with career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game.
Did You Know?
- Pettit was the first recipient of the NBA MVP award in 1956.
- He is the Hawks' franchise leader in career rebounds (12,849) and rebounds per game (16.2).
- Pettit scored a career-high 57 points on February 18, 1961, against the Detroit Pistons.
- He is one of only three players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in an NBA season, along with Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry Lucas.
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