Bob Pettit
The first NBA player to score more than 20,000 points, Pettit is one of four players named to all four NBA anniversary teams.
Bob Pettit is the foundational pillar of the Hawks franchise, a forward whose dominance in the late 1950s defined the team's identity. He played 11 seasons in the 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 won it again in 1959. As of the end of the 2025–2026 regular season, Pettit is still the only regular season MVP in the history of the Hawks. He is the Hawks' franchise leader for most career rebounds (12,849) and most rebounds per game with 16.2.
- Role
- Forward
- Affiliation
- Milwaukee Hawks / St. Louis Hawks
- First appears
- 1954
- Status
- Retired
- Key Achievement
- Two-time NBA MVP
- Legacy
- Franchise All-Time Leading Scorer (at time of retirement)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Pettit's journey began with humble beginnings: at Baton Rouge High School, he was cut from the varsity basketball team as both a freshman and sophomore. He played church league basketball as a sophomore and grew five inches in less than a year. His father, sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish (1932–1936), pushed him to practice in the backyard until he improved. It worked: Pettit became a starter and made the All-City prep team as a junior. As a 6-7 senior, he led Baton Rouge High to its first state championship in over 20 years. In college at LSU, he was a three-time All-SEC selection and two-time All-American, averaging 27.8 points per game over three years. In 1954, his number 50 was retired at LSU, the first Tiger athlete in any sport to receive this distinction.
In Their Own Story
In the 1958 NBA Finals, Pettit led the Hawks to an NBA Championship with a then-playoff record 50 points in the Hawks' 110–109 series-clinching victory in Game 6. Pettit's 50 points stood alone as the most in a Finals close-out victory until it was matched by Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021. Earlier, in Game 1 of the 1957 NBA Finals at the Boston Garden, Pettit scored 37 points as the Hawks shocked the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics in double overtime. His two free throws with six seconds left in Game 7 forced overtime, but Pettit's 39 points and 19 rebounds in 56 minutes weren't enough to win a double-overtime game. On February 18, 1961, Pettit scored a career-high 57 points and grabbed 28 rebounds in a 141–138 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Reader's Guide
To understand Pettit's impact, know that he won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1955 after averaging 20.4 points and 13.8 rebounds per game. He won his first scoring title with a 25.7 average and led the league in rebounding (1,164 for a 16.2 average). He won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award four times (1956, 1958, 1959, and 1962). In the 1960–61 season, Pettit averaged 27.9 points per game and pulled down 20.3 rebounds per game, making him one of only five players to ever break the 20 rpg barrier. He, along with Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry Lucas, are the only three people who averaged more than twenty points and twenty rebounds in an NBA season. Pettit was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.
Did You Know?
- Pettit was cut from his high school varsity basketball team as both a freshman and sophomore.
- He is the only regular season MVP in the history of the Hawks as of the end of the 2025–2026 regular season.
- Pettit scored a then-playoff record 50 points in the 1958 NBA Finals Game 6 to clinch the championship.
- 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).
- Pettit's number 50 was retired at LSU in 1954, making him the first Tiger athlete in any sport to receive that honor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bob Pettit?
He was a dominant forward who joined the franchise in Milwaukee in 1954 before helping lead the team through St. Louis to Atlanta. His presence defined the Hawks' identity during their formative years as an NBA power.
What are his key achievements?
Pettit secured two MVP awards and served as the franchise's all-time leading scorer at the time of his retirement in 1965. These records cemented his status as one of the greatest players to ever wear the uniform.
Why is he important to Atlanta Hawks culture?
His contributions transformed the club into consistent playoff contenders, establishing a winning culture that persists today. The organization honored this legacy by retiring jersey number 21 in his name during 1989.
When did Bob Pettit play for the franchise?
He debuted with the Milwaukee Hawks in 1954 and played continuously for twelve seasons before hanging up his shoes. Although he never played a game in Atlanta, his history is intrinsically linked to the franchise's current location.
What is his legacy today?
Fans view him as the essential foundation of team history because of his incredible scoring and leadership skills. His legacy continues to serve as a key reference for understanding how the franchise evolved over many decades.