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NBA Hall of Famer Bob Pettit Dies at 93

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 2:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Bob Pettit Dies

Bob Pettit died at age 93 in Metairie, Louisiana on September 23, 2026.
He was the NBA’s first Most Valuable Player, winning the award in 1955-56.
He won a second MVP award in 1958-59.
Pettit led the Hawks to the 1958 NBA championship.
He retired after the 1964-65 season with 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game.

Summary

LSU Honors Pettit

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame issued a statement mourning Bob Pettit’s passing and praising his forward-position revolution.
Former LSU player Collis Temple called Pettit a younger brother and good friend in a tribute.
LSU honors Pettit with a statue outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and a Bob Pettit Boulevard on campus.
After his basketball career, Pettit co-founded the consulting firm Equitas Capital Investors in Metairie.

History

Historical Context

In the 1955-56 season the NBA created its first regular-season MVP award, and St. Louis Hawks forward Bob Pettit became its inaugural winner. Pettit, who helped the Hawks relocate from Milwaukee to St. Louis and posted a league-leading 25.7 points and 16.2 rebounds per game, established a scoring and rebounding benchmark that still defines MVP excellence.

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Bob Pettit Dies

Bob Pettit died at age 93 in Metairie, Louisiana on September 23, 2026.
He was the NBA’s first Most Valuable Player, winning the award in 1955-56.
He won a second MVP award in 1958-59.
Pettit led the Hawks to the 1958 NBA championship.
He retired after the 1964-65 season with 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game.

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