Bob Pettit
The original Hawk who dominated the paint and carried a franchise to glory.
Bob Pettit is the foundational star of the Hawks franchise, having played all 11 of his NBA seasons with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks from 1954 to 1965. In 1956, he became the first recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award, and he won it again in 1959. As of the end of the 2025–2026 regular season, Pettit remains the only regular season MVP in Hawks history. He is also the franchise leader for most career rebounds (12,849) and most rebounds per game (16.2). The first NBA player to score more than 20,000 points, Pettit was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.
- Team
- St. Louis Hawks
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Pettit's legacy is forever cemented by the 1958 NBA Championship, where he led the Hawks to a 110–109 series-clinching victory in Game 6 with a then-playoff record 50 points. That remains the franchise's only NBA title. He won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award four times (1956, 1958, 1959, 1962). In the 1960–61 season, Pettit averaged 27.9 points and 20.3 rebounds per game, making him one of only five players to ever break the 20 rpg barrier. He scored a career-high 57 points on February 18, 1961, in a 141–138 win over the Detroit Pistons. Pettit was an NBA All-Star in each of his 11 seasons and was named to the All-NBA First Team ten times.
In Their Own Story
In the 1957 NBA Finals, Pettit scored 37 points in Game 1 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 his 39 points and 19 rebounds in 56 minutes weren't enough to win a double-overtime game. The next year, Pettit delivered his legendary 50-point performance in Game 6 to clinch the championship. That 50 points stood alone as the most in a Finals close-out victory until Giannis Antetokounmpo matched it in 2021. Pettit averaged 29.8 points and 16.8 rebounds per game during the 1957 playoff run.
Reader's Guide
Pettit played his entire career with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965). 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 in 1955–56 and led the league in rebounding (1,164 for a 16.2 average). His league-leading scoring average of 29.2 points per game in the 1958–59 season was an NBA record at the time. Pettit averaged at least 20 points per game and at least 12 rebounds per game in each of his 11 NBA seasons. He never finished below seventh in the NBA scoring race. His 12,849 rebounds were second-most in league history at the time he retired, and his 16.2 rebounds per game career average remains third only to Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.
Did You Know?
- Pettit is one of four players named to all four NBA anniversary teams and, as of 2025, one of only two living members (with Bob Cousy).
- He was cut from his high school varsity basketball team as both a freshman and sophomore before growing five inches in less than a year.
- Pettit set a then-SEC scoring record of 60 points against Louisiana College in his second college game.
- He was the first NBA player to eclipse the 20,000 points mark, finishing with 20,880 points.
- Pettit still holds the top two NBA All-Star Game rebounding performances with 26 in 1958 and 27 in 1962.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bob Pettit?
Bob Pettit was a dominant center who served as the face of the franchise during its time in both St. Louis and Atlanta. As the first player to win two MVP awards, he established himself as one of the greatest big men in league history before retiring with his number 9 permanently honored by the team.
What position did Bob Pettit play?
Playing primarily as a center, Pettit controlled the paint with exceptional scoring ability and rebounding dominance that redefined his position for future generations. His all-around game allowed him to lead the Hawks in both offense and defense while anchoring their championship run.
What are Bob Pettit's major accolades?
Throughout his career, he earned eight NBA All-Star selections and secured the league's Most Valuable Player award on two separate occasions. His accomplishments culminated in leading the team to an NBA Championship title before being enshrined into the Hall of Fame.
How did Bob Pettit's career conclude?
After a long tenure with the organization, Pettit retired from professional basketball to leave behind a legacy as a cornerstone of the team's history. The squad officially retired his number 9 jersey in recognition of his unmatched contributions and status as an icon.
Why is Bob Pettit important to the Hawks?
He is regarded as the first true superstar who guided the franchise to its sole championship during his era of dominance. His influence set the standard for excellence that subsequent legends have tried to emulate throughout the team's history in Atlanta.