Wilt Chamberlain facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Wilt Chamberlain

Chamberlain with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1960
Personal information
Born	(1936-08-21)August 21, 1936 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	October 12, 1999(1999-10-12) (aged 63) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
High school	Overbrook (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Listed height	7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight	250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
College	Kansas (1956–1958)
NBA Draft	1959 / Pick: territorial pick
Selected by the Philadelphia Warriors
Pro career	1952–1973
Coaching career	1973–1974
Career history
As player:
1952	Pittsburgh Raiders
1955–1956	Quakertown Fays
1958–1959	Harlem Globetrotters
1959–1965	Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors
1965–1968	Philadelphia 76ers
1968–1973	Los Angeles Lakers
As coach:
1973–1974	San Diego Conquistadors
Career highlights and awards
2× NBA champion (1967, 1972) NBA Finals MVP (1972) 4× NBA Most Valuable Player (1960, 1966–1968) 13× NBA All-Star (1960–1969, 1971–1973) NBA All-Star Game MVP (1960) 7× All-NBA First Team (1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968) 3× All-NBA Second Team (1963, 1965, 1972) 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1972, 1973) NBA Rookie of the Year (1960) 7× NBA scoring champion (1960–1966) 11× NBA rebounding champion (1960–1963, 1966–1969, 1971–1973) NBA assist leader (1968) NBA anniversary team (35th, 50th, 75th) No. 13 retired by Harlem Globetrotters No. 13 retired by Golden State Warriors No. 13 retired by Philadelphia 76ers No. 13 retired by Los Angeles Lakers NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1957) 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1957, 1958) 2× First-team All-Big 8 (1957, 1958) No. 13 jersey retired by Kansas Jayhawks Mr. Basketball USA (1955)
Career statistics
Points	31,419 (30.1 ppg)
Rebounds	23,924 (22.9 rpg)
Assists	4,643 (4.4 apg)

Wilton Norman Chamberlain (pronounced CHAYM-ber-lin; born August 21, 1936 – died October 12, 1999) was an amazing American professional basketball player. Standing 7 feet 1 inch tall, he played as a center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 seasons. Many people consider him one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was so good that he holds 72 NBA records! He is famous for being the only player to score 100 points in a single game. He also once grabbed 55 rebounds in a game and never got fouled out of any game in his entire career. Chamberlain won two NBA championships, four Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, and was chosen for 13 All-Star Games. He was honored in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.

Early Life and First Steps in Sports

Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was one of nine children. As a young boy, he was very tall, reaching 6 feet by the age of 10. He wasn't interested in basketball at first, thinking it was "a game for sissies." However, basketball was very popular in Philadelphia, so he eventually started playing in seventh grade. Before basketball, he was a talented track athlete, even running in the Penn Relays when he was young.

High School Basketball Star

When Chamberlain started at Overbrook High School, he was already 6 feet 11 inches tall! He was also a great track and field athlete, excelling in high jump, running, and shot put.

Dominating the Court at Overbrook

Chamberlain quickly became the star player for the Overbrook Hilltoppers basketball team. He was known for his incredible scoring, strength, and ability to block shots. An ESPN journalist said Chamberlain was "scary" and changed the game because of his athleticism and stamina. During this time, he got his famous nicknames: "Wilt the Stilt," "Goliath," and his favorite, "the Big Dipper." The "Big Dipper" name came from his friends who saw him dip his head to walk through doorways.

Chamberlain led his team to two city championships in three seasons, with an amazing 56–3 record. He broke the Philadelphia high school scoring record, finishing with 2,252 points and averaging 37.4 points per game.

Winning City Championships

In his first high school season (1953), Chamberlain averaged 31 points. His team won the Public League title but lost the city championship game. In his second season (1954), Overbrook had a perfect 19–0 record. Chamberlain scored a high school record 71 points in one game and led his team to win the city title. In his final season (1955), he continued to score huge numbers, with games of 74, 78, and 90 points. Overbrook won the Public League and the city championship again, with Chamberlain scoring 35 points in the final game.

During his summers, Chamberlain played in a summer basketball league. There, he played against a college champion and won easily, showing his incredible talent even before college.

College Basketball at Kansas

After high school, over 200 universities wanted Chamberlain to play for them! He chose the University of Kansas (KU) because he wanted to experience life away from home and liked the coach, Phog Allen.

Making an Impact at KU

Chamberlain showed off his athletic skills at KU, not just in basketball but also in track and field. He ran fast, threw the shot put far, and won the high jump three times in his conference. In his first game for the freshman team, he scored 42 points, grabbed 29 rebounds, and had 4 blocks, dominating his older teammates.

Chamberlain was so dominant that he caused several NCAA basketball rules to change in 1956. For example, a player had to keep both feet behind the line when shooting a free throw. This rule was made because Chamberlain could dunk free throws without a running start! Also, passing the ball over the backboard on an inbound play was banned because of him.

The Famous 1957 Championship Game

In his sophomore year (1957), Chamberlain made his official college debut. He scored 52 points and grabbed 31 rebounds in his first game, breaking all Kansas records. He led the Jayhawks to a great season, and they reached the national championship game.

The championship game was against the undefeated North Carolina Tar Heels. North Carolina's coach used special tactics to stop Chamberlain, having three players guard him at all times. Despite this, Chamberlain scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. The game was incredibly close, going into triple overtime! Kansas lost by just one point, 54–53. Chamberlain called it the most painful loss of his life. Even though they lost, he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Leaving College Early

In his junior season (1958), opponents continued to use tactics to stop Chamberlain, making games frustrating. He averaged 30.1 points, but the Jayhawks didn't make it to the NCAA tournament. Chamberlain decided to leave college early to become a professional player, as he wasn't enjoying college basketball anymore and wanted to earn money. He sold his story "Why I Am Leaving College" to a magazine for $10,000, which was a lot of money back then. In his two seasons at Kansas, he averaged 29.9 points and 18.3 rebounds per game.

Professional Basketball Career

Since the NBA didn't allow players to join until their college class graduated, Chamberlain played for the famous Harlem Globetrotters in 1958. He earned $50,000, a huge salary at the time. He loved his time with the Globetrotters because he could entertain audiences without the pressure of breaking records. The Globetrotters later retired his No. 13 jersey.

Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors: A Record-Breaking Start (1959–1965)

Chamberlain made his NBA debut on October 24, 1959, for the Philadelphia Warriors. He was 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 258 pounds. He immediately became the NBA's highest-paid player, earning $30,000 in his rookie contract.

Rookie of the Year and MVP

In his first NBA game, Chamberlain scored 43 points and grabbed 28 rebounds! He quickly set new records for points and rebounds. He was selected for the All-Star Game and won the All-Star Game MVP award. In his rookie season, he averaged an incredible 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds per game, breaking many records. He was named both Rookie of the Year and MVP that season.

The Warriors played against the Boston Celtics and their star center, Bill Russell, in the playoffs. This began one of the greatest rivalries in NBA history. Chamberlain was frustrated by the physical play and constant double-teaming, even considering retirement after his first season. The Warriors convinced him to stay with a big salary increase.

The 100-Point Game

The 1961–62 NBA season was legendary for Chamberlain. He averaged an unbelievable 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game. He also played almost every minute of every game that season!

On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain made history by scoring 100 points in a single game against the New York Knicks. He made 36 field goals and 28 free throws. This incredible feat has never been repeated in the NBA. The game was not recorded on video, adding to its legendary status.

Despite his amazing individual performance, the Warriors lost to Bill Russell's Celtics in the playoffs again. Many people wondered why Chamberlain couldn't win a championship with such high scores.

Moving to San Francisco

In 1962, the Warriors team moved to San Francisco and became the San Francisco Warriors. With new teammates and coaches, Chamberlain continued to put up huge numbers, averaging 44.8 points and 24.3 rebounds. However, the team struggled and missed the playoffs. In the 1963–64 NBA season, with a new coach and rookie Nate Thurmond, the Warriors reached the NBA Finals but lost to the Celtics once more.

Philadelphia 76ers: First NBA Championship (1965–1968)

In the middle of the 1964–65 NBA season, Chamberlain was traded back to Philadelphia to play for the Philadelphia 76ers. The NBA also widened the lane on the court to make it harder for dominant centers like Chamberlain to score close to the basket.

MVP and Breaking Through

Chamberlain joined a strong Sixers team with players like Hal Greer and Chet Walker. He continued to be a top scorer and rebounder. In the playoffs, they faced the Celtics again. In a thrilling Game 7, the Sixers lost by just one point after a famous steal by John Havlicek. This loss made some people unfairly call Chamberlain a "loser."

Before the 1966–67 NBA season, the Sixers got a new coach, Alex Hannum, who challenged Chamberlain to change his style of play. Hannum wanted Chamberlain to focus more on defense, rebounding, and passing, rather than just scoring. Chamberlain agreed and became a more all-around player. He averaged a career-low 24.1 points but led the league in rebounds (24.2) and was third in assists (7.8). He also set a record for field-goal accuracy. For this, he earned his third MVP award.

The Sixers had an incredible season, winning a record 68 games. Chamberlain started praising his teammates, and the team worked together better than ever.

Winning the NBA Title

In the playoffs, the Sixers faced the Celtics in the Eastern Division Finals. Chamberlain had an amazing performance in Game 1, with 24 points, 32 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 unofficial blocks. The Sixers dominated the series, winning 4–1 and ending Boston's amazing run of eight straight NBA titles!

In the 1967 NBA Finals, the Sixers played against Chamberlain's old team, the San Francisco Warriors. The Sixers won the championship in six games, with Chamberlain contributing 17.7 points and 28.7 rebounds per game. He was thrilled to finally be an NBA champion! This Sixers team is remembered as one of the best in NBA history.

Another MVP and Assist Leader

In the 1967–68 NBA season, Chamberlain continued his team-focused play, averaging 24.3 points and 23.8 rebounds. He also became the only center in NBA history to lead the league in total assists, showing how much his game had changed. He won his fourth and final MVP award. The Sixers had another great season, winning 62 games. However, in the playoffs, they lost to the Celtics in Game 7, after leading the series 3–1.

Los Angeles Lakers: Second NBA Championship (1968–1973)

In 1968, Chamberlain was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He joined a team with other superstar players like Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. The Lakers owner gave Chamberlain a huge contract, making him the highest-paid player in the league.

Battling Injuries and the Knicks

Chamberlain's first season with the Lakers (1968–69) was challenging. He had a difficult relationship with his coach and faced criticism. Despite this, he averaged 20.5 points and 21.1 rebounds. The Lakers reached the NBA Finals but lost to Bill Russell's Celtics in a very close Game 7. Many people questioned why Chamberlain sat out the final minutes of that game due to injury.

In the 1969–70 NBA season, Chamberlain suffered a serious knee injury that kept him out for several months. He returned for the playoffs, where the Lakers reached the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. The Knicks won the series in Game 7, even though their star player, Willis Reed, was injured. Chamberlain was criticized for not dominating more against the injured Knicks.

The 33-Game Winning Streak and Second Title

Before the 1971–72 NBA season, the Lakers hired a new coach, Bill Sharman. Sharman changed Chamberlain's role, asking him to focus even more on defense, rebounding, and passing to start fast breaks. Chamberlain became the team captain. He averaged a career-low 14.8 points but led the league in rebounds (19.2) and field-goal percentage (.649).

With Chamberlain leading the defense, the Lakers had an amazing 33-game winning streak, setting a record for the most wins in a regular season (69 wins).

In the playoffs, the Lakers faced the Milwaukee Bucks and their young superstar center, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Chamberlain, at 35, played incredibly well against the younger Abdul-Jabbar, helping the Lakers win the series in six games.

In the NBA Finals, the Lakers again played the New York Knicks. The Knicks were missing their injured star, Willis Reed. Chamberlain played through a broken hand in Game 5, scoring 24 points, grabbing 29 rebounds, and blocking 8 shots. His amazing effort helped the Lakers win the game 114–100, securing their first championship in Los Angeles! Chamberlain was named the Finals MVP for his outstanding performance while injured.

Final Season

The 1972–73 NBA season was Chamberlain's last. He continued to dominate rebounding, winning his 11th rebounding title with 18.6 rebounds per game. He also set an NBA record for field-goal percentage, shooting an incredible .727 for the season. The Lakers reached the NBA Finals again but lost to the New York Knicks in five games. Chamberlain's final play in the NBA was a dunk with one second left in Game 5.

Coaching Career

San Diego Conquistadors (1973–1974)

In 1973, Chamberlain signed with the San Diego Conquistadors of the ABA (a rival league to the NBA) as a player-coach. However, due to a contract dispute with the Lakers, a judge ruled that he could coach but not play for the Conquistadors. He mostly left the coaching duties to his assistant. The team finished with a 37–47 record and lost in the playoffs. After this season, Chamberlain retired from professional basketball.

Post-NBA Career

After basketball, Chamberlain became a successful businessman, investing in stocks and real estate. He also owned a popular nightclub in Harlem. He appeared in many advertisements for well-known brands.

Athletics and Film

Chamberlain developed a new passion for volleyball. He became a board member and president of the International Volleyball Association (IVA) and even played in some games, earning the MVP award in an IVA All-Star game. He was inducted into the IVA Hall of Fame, making him one of the few athletes honored in multiple sports.

He also formed Wilt's Athletic Club, a track-and-field team that included future Olympic gold medalists. In 1982, he considered returning to athletic competition in masters athletics.

In 1984, Chamberlain acted in the film Conan the Destroyer, playing a villainous warrior alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. This was his only credited film role.

Death

Chamberlain had a history of heart problems. His health worsened in 1999. On October 12, 1999, Chamberlain died at age 63 at his home in Bel Air, California, due to congestive heart failure. His attorney remembered him as a very curious and intelligent man who was interested in many things beyond basketball.

Several NBA players and officials remembered him as one of the greatest players ever. His rival and friend, Bill Russell, said their fierce competition bonded them together forever.

Legacy

Awards and Honors

Wilt Chamberlain is considered one of the most amazing and dominant basketball players in NBA history. Many people, including Hall of Famers, call him the greatest player of all time. He holds many official NBA records. His former teammate, Billy Cunningham, once said, "The NBA Guide reads like Wilt's personal diary."

Chamberlain led the NBA in scoring seven times, field-goal percentage nine times, minutes played eight times, and rebounding eleven times. He even led the league in assists once! He is most famous for his 100-point game, which is still one of basketball's greatest records.

In high school, he was named Mr. Basketball USA. In college, he was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1957 and a two-time All-American. His number 13 jersey was retired by the Kansas Jayhawks, Harlem Globetrotters, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Chamberlain won two NBA championships, four regular-season MVP awards, the Rookie of the Year award, one Finals MVP award, and one All-Star Game MVP award. He was selected to 13 All-Star Games and 10 All-NBA Teams. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.

Chamberlain was known for rarely fouling out of games, despite his physical play. He never fouled out in his entire 14-year NBA career!

Rule Changes

Chamberlain's incredible dominance directly led to several rule changes in the NBA. These included widening the lane on the court to keep big players further from the basket, creating the rule against offensive goaltending, banning dunking to convert free throws, and changing rules about inbounding the ball over the backboard. These changes show just how much of an impact he had on the game.

Chamberlain–Russell Rivalry

The competition between Chamberlain and Bill Russell is one of the greatest rivalries in sports history. Russell's teams won 11 NBA titles, while Chamberlain's teams won two. Russell's teams also won seven out of eight playoff series against Chamberlain's teams.

Some people saw Chamberlain as a great individual player and Russell as a player who made his team great. Chamberlain often had to score many points for his team to win, while Russell could focus more on defense and rebounding because his team had many other scorers.

Despite their intense rivalry on the court, Russell and Chamberlain were friends in private life for many years. They later had a disagreement but eventually reconciled.

Reputation as a Champion

Even though Chamberlain achieved incredible statistics, some people criticized him for not winning more championships, especially compared to Bill Russell. However, many others pointed out that Chamberlain often faced teams with more overall talent. As coach Alex Hannum once said, "Nobody roots for Goliath," meaning it's hard to cheer for the biggest, most dominant player.

One of Chamberlain's main weaknesses was his poor free-throw shooting. He shot only 51.1% from the free-throw line during his career. He even tried shooting them underhanded, which worked better, but he felt too embarrassed to continue using it. Despite this, he once made an NBA record 28 free throws in his 100-point game.

Personal Life

Star Status

Chamberlain was one of basketball's first big earners. He was the first player to earn at least $100,000 a year and earned a lot of money during his career. He built a large mansion in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, which he named after his nickname, "The Big Dipper." He enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle and drove expensive cars.

Relationships

Chamberlain was known for having good relationships with many people and was respected by his peers. He was also known for his friendly interactions with fans, often signing autographs and providing tickets. Jerry West described him as a "complex... very nice person."

Chamberlain remained single throughout his life. In his later years, he reflected on the importance of lasting relationships.

His relationship with fellow center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was often strained, especially after Chamberlain retired. Chamberlain sometimes criticized Abdul-Jabbar's play.

Politics

Chamberlain was interested in politics and supported the Republican Party. He accompanied President Richard Nixon to the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr..

Career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year	Team(s)	GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	PPG
1959–60	Philadelphia	72	46.4*	.461	.582	27.0*	2.3	37.6*
1960–61	Philadelphia	79*	47.8*	.509*	.504	27.2	1.9	38.4*
1961–62	Philadelphia	80*	48.5	.506	.613	25.7*	2.4	50.4
1962–63	San Francisco	80*	47.6*	.528*	.593	24.3*	3.4	44.8*
1963–64	San Francisco	80	46.1*	.524	.531	22.3	5.0	36.9*
1964–65	San Francisco	38	45.9	.499*	.416	23.5	3.1	38.9*
	Philadelphia	35	44.5	.528*	.526	22.3	3.8	30.1*
1965–66	Philadelphia	79	47.3*	.540*	.513	24.6*	5.2	33.5*
1966–67†	Philadelphia	81*	45.5*	.683*	.441	24.2*	7.8	24.1
1967–68	Philadelphia	82	46.8*	.595*	.380	23.8*	8.6	24.3
1968–69	L.A. Lakers	81	45.3*	.583*	.446	21.1*	4.5	20.5
1969–70	L.A. Lakers	12	42.1	.568	.446	18.4	4.1	27.3
1970–71	L.A. Lakers	82	44.3	.545	.538	18.2*	4.3	20.7
1971–72†	L.A. Lakers	82	42.3	.649*	.422	19.2*	4.0	14.8
1972–73	L.A. Lakers	82*	43.2	.727*	.510	18.6*	4.5	13.2
Career		1,045	45.8	.540	.511	22.9	4.4	30.1
All-Star		13	29.8	.590	.500	15.1	2.7	14.6

Playoffs

Year	Team(s)	GP	MPG	FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	PPG
1960	Philadelphia	9	46.1	.496	.445	25.8	2.1	33.2
1961	Philadelphia	3	48.0	.489	.553	23.0	2.0	37.0
1962	Philadelphia	12	48.0	.467	.636	26.6	3.1	35.0
1964	San Francisco	12	46.5	.543	.475	25.2	3.3	34.7
1965	Philadelphia	11	48.7	.530	.559	27.2	4.4	29.3
1966	Philadelphia	5	48.0	.509	.412	30.2	3.0	28.0
1967†	Philadelphia	15	47.9	.579	.388	29.1	9.0	21.7
1968	Philadelphia	13	48.5	.534	.380	24.7	6.5	23.7
1969	L.A. Lakers	18	46.2	.545	.392	24.7	2.6	13.9
1970	L.A. Lakers	18	47.3	.549	.406	22.2	4.5	22.1
1971	L.A. Lakers	12	46.2	.455	.515	20.2	4.4	18.3
1972†	L.A. Lakers	15	46.9	.563	.492	21.0	3.3	14.7
1973	L.A. Lakers	17	47.1	.552	.500	22.5	3.5	10.4
Career		160	47.2	.522	.465	24.5	4.2	22.5

Head coaching record

ABA

Legend

Regular season	G	Games coached	W	Games won	L	Games lost	W–L %	Win–loss %
Playoffs	PG	Playoff games	PW	Playoff wins	PL	Playoff losses	PW–L %	Playoff win–loss %

Team	Year	G	W	L	W–L%	Finish	PG	PW	PL	PW–L%	Result
San Diego	1973–74	84	37	47	.440	4th in Western	6	2	4	.333	Lost in division semifinals

Post-NBA Career

After his stint with the Conquistadors, Chamberlain went into business and entertainment. He made money in stocks and real estate. He also owned a popular Harlem nightclub. He appeared in advertisements for well-known brands like American Express and Volkswagen.

Athletics and Film

Volleyball became Chamberlain's new athletic passion. He became a board member and president of the newly founded International Volleyball Association (IVA) in 1974. He even played in occasional matches for the IVA Seattle Smashers and was named the IVA All-Star game's MVP. Chamberlain promoted the sport so effectively that he was named to the IVA Hall of Fame. This made him one of the few athletes enshrined in multiple sports.

In the 1970s, Chamberlain formed Wilt's Athletic Club, a track-and-field club in southern California. The team included future Olympic Gold medalists like Florence Griffith and Andre Phillips.

In 1976, Chamberlain formed a film production company. In 1984, he played a villainous warrior alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the film Conan the Destroyer. This remained his only credited film role.

In 1997, Chamberlain wrote a book called Who's Running the Asylum? Inside the Insane World of Sports Today. In it, he shared his thoughts on the NBA and how it treated former players.

Death

Chamberlain, who had a history of cardiovascular disease, was briefly hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat in 1992. His condition rapidly deteriorated in 1999. On October 12, 1999, Chamberlain died at age 63 at his home in Bel Air, California. His longtime attorney stated Chamberlain died of congestive heart failure.

Several NBA players and officials remembered him as one of the greatest players in the history of basketball. On-court rival and personal friend Bill Russell stated: "the fierceness of our competition bonded us together for eternity."

Legacy

Awards and Honors

Chamberlain is regarded as one of the most extraordinary and dominant basketball players in NBA history. Many sources, including Basketball Hall of Fame members, have called him the greatest basketball player of all time. He holds numerous official NBA all-time records. His former teammate Billy Cunningham said, "The NBA Guide reads like Wilt's personal diary."

He led the NBA in scoring seven times, field-goal percentage nine times, minutes played eight times, and rebounding eleven times. He even led the league in assists once. Chamberlain is most remembered for his 100-point game, which is widely considered one of basketball's greatest records.

In high school, Chamberlain was Mr. Basketball USA. In college, he was the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 1957 and a two-time All-American. His number 13 jersey was retired by the Kansas Jayhawks, Harlem Globetrotters, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Chamberlain won two NBA championships, four regular-season Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, the Rookie of the Year award, one Finals MVP award, and one All-Star Game MVP award. He was selected to 13 All-Star Games and 10 All-NBA Teams. He also twice made All-Defensive First Team. For his feats, Chamberlain was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978.

During his NBA career, Chamberlain committed few fouls despite his rugged play. He never fouled out of a regular-season or playoff game in his 14-year NBA career. His career average was two fouls per game, even though he averaged 45.8 minutes per game.

Rule Changes

Part of Chamberlain's impact on basketball is his direct responsibility for several rule changes in the NBA. These included a widening of the lane to try to keep big men more distant from the basket. Other changes were the instituting of offensive goaltending and a ban on dunking to convert free throws. Rules governing inbounding the ball, such as making it illegal to inbound the ball over the backboard, were also revised.

Chamberlain–Russell Rivalry

The on-court rivalry between Chamberlain and Bill Russell is cited as one of the greatest of all time. Russell won 11 NBA titles in his career while Chamberlain won two. Russell's teams won seven of eight playoff series against Chamberlain's teams.

The comparison between Chamberlain and Russell is often seen as one between a great player (Chamberlain) and a player who makes his team great (Russell). Chamberlain often felt he had to score many points for his team to win. Russell's teams did not rely as much on his scoring, allowing him to focus more on defense and rebounding.

Russell and Chamberlain were friends in private life for many years. They later had a disagreement after a playoff game but reconciled after two decades.

Reputation as a Champion

Although Chamberlain accumulated some of the most impressive statistics in sports history, some people called him a "loser" because he won only two NBA championships. However, many supporters argued that Russell had better-skilled teammates. As coach Alex Hannum explained, Chamberlain often said: "Nobody roots for Goliath," referring to the unique pressure he faced as a dominant player.

Chamberlain's main weakness was his poor free-throw shooting, with a .511 career average. He later said he was a "psycho case" in this matter. Much like later center Shaquille O'Neal, Chamberlain would sometimes be intentionally fouled because of his poor free-throw shooting. Despite this, he set an NBA record for the most free throws made (28) in a regular-season game during his 1962 100-point game.

Personal Life

Star Status

Chamberlain was the first big earner in basketball. Upon entering the NBA, he immediately became the highest-paid player. He was basketball's first player to earn at least $100,000 a year. As a Philadelphia 76er, he could afford to rent a New York apartment and commute to Philadelphia.

When he became a Laker, Chamberlain built a million-dollar mansion in Bel-Air. He named it after Ursa Major, a play on his nickname "The Big Dipper." The house had unique features and was a place where he often held parties. Chamberlain lived alone with his cats and several Great Dane dogs. He drove several luxury cars.

Relationships

Although Chamberlain was shy as a teenager, he later became known for his many friendships and social life. He remained single throughout his life. In a 1999 interview shortly before his death, Chamberlain reflected on the importance of lasting relationships.

According to Cherry, Chamberlain had good relationships with many of his contemporaries and enjoyed a great deal of respect. He was lauded for his good rapport with his fans, often providing tickets and signing autographs. Jerry West called Chamberlain a "complex... very nice person."

During most of his NBA career, Chamberlain was good friends with Bill Russell. They often spent holidays together. However, as the championship count became more one-sided, their relationship became strained. They reconciled after two decades.

Chamberlain's relationship with fellow center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was often hostile, especially after Chamberlain retired. Chamberlain sometimes criticized Abdul-Jabbar's game. Their relationship remained mostly strained until Chamberlain's death.

Politics

Chamberlain was interested in politics. He supported Republican Richard Nixon in the 1968 and 1972 presidential elections. Chamberlain accompanied Nixon to the funeral of Martin Luther King Jr. and considered himself a Republican.

See also

In Spanish: Wilt Chamberlain para niños