Bob Pettit

Robert Lee Pettit Jr. entered the world on December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before becoming one of the most dominant forces in basketball history. He spent his entire professional career with the franchise now known as the Atlanta Hawks, playing eleven seasons from 1954 to 1965 under the names Milwaukee and St. Louis Hawks. His longevity and consistency earned him a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970, and he remains the only player in franchise history to win the regular season Most Valuable Player Award twice, taking the honor in 1956 and again in 1959. That 1956 victory was historic because it marked the very first time the league awarded this specific title. Pettit dominated the paint with a unique skill set that made him the first NBA player to surpass 20,000 career points. He held the franchise records for total rebounds at 12,849 and averaged an incredible 16.2 rebounds per game throughout his tenure. His ability to control the glass and score efficiently led to four NBA All-Star Game MVP awards, a feat that underscores his status as one of the greatest power forwards ever. As of the conclusion of the 2025–2026 regular season, no other player has matched his combination of scoring volume and rebounding dominance while wearing a Hawks uniform. His legacy extends beyond statistics, as he stands alongside only three other players selected for all four NBA anniversary teams celebrating the league's milestones. These honors reflect his sustained excellence during an era when the game looked vastly different than it does today. Robert Lee Pettit Jr. passed away on September 23, 2026, at the age of 93, leaving behind a resume that defines what it means to be a cornerstone of a franchise.[edit]