Overview
- Pettit’s family said he passed away peacefully at his Metairie, Louisiana, home on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and the news was confirmed by LSU and the Naismith Hall of Fame.
- He was the NBA’s first regular-season Most Valuable Player and won a second MVP in 1959 after an 11-season career all with the Hawks franchise.
- Pettit led the St. Louis Hawks to their only NBA title in 1958 with a 50-point Game 6 closeout against the Boston Celtics, a signature moment of his career.
- He retired in 1965 as the league’s career scoring leader with 20,880 points and 12,849 rebounds, earning 11 All-Star selections and Hall of Fame induction in 1971.
- LSU, the Hawks, the Hall of Fame and the NBA issued tributes, his jerseys remain retired and a statue stands at LSU, while funeral and memorial details have not yet been announced.