Bob Pettit Bio: Stats, Highlights, Jersey & Net Worth

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Bob Pettit is a former American basketball player who is the first NBA player to score more than 20,000 points. After a long basketball career, he decided to retire in 1965. 

Bob started playing basketball at a very early age and enjoyed a successful NBA career. However, he had a rough start, and things were not as good in the initial phases of his career.

But Bob never lost hope and focused on his work. Because of that, he became such a great name in NBA history.

Undoubtedly, Bob is an inspiration to a lot of young people aspiring to become basketball players. His dedication, passion, and zeal are what the youths should learn from him. 

Bob Pettit NBA
Bob Pettit is a former professional NBA player.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the life of Bob Pettit. Here we discuss his early life, career, net worth, personal life, and many more.

But first, let’s have a look at his facts table. 

Quick Facts

Name Robert E. Lee Pettit Jr.
Birthplace Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Birthdate December 12, 1932
Age 90 years old
Nationality American 
Ethnicity White 
Religion Christianity
Nickname Bob
Height 6’9″/2.06 m
Weight 93 kg/205 lb
Hair Color Black
Eye Color Brown
Profession Basketball player
Affiliation NBA
NBA Draft 1954
Score More than 20000 points
Playing Career 1954-1965
Points 26.4 ppg
Grandkids 10
Father Name Unknown 
Mother Name Unknown 
Education Baton Rouge High School
Louisiana State University
Number 9
Star Sign Sagittarius
Position Center, Power Forward
Team Coached Atlanta Hawks
NBA Pick 2nd overall
Net Worth $2.5 million
Yearly Salary Unknown
Sexual Orientation Straight
Marital Status Married
Wife Carole Crowell
Children 3
Achievements
  • Eleven times All-NBA Team
  • Four times NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award
  • Two times NBA Most Valuable Player Award
  • One time NBA Rookie of the Year Award
  • NBA Champion
Social Media Inactive
Merch  Signed NBA Floorboard, Collegiate Collection Basketball Card, Bob Pettit: The Drive Within Me(Autobiography)
Last Update  March, 2023

Bob Pettit | Early Life, Family, and Education

Bob was born on December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Nothing much has been mentioned about his parents, but Bob’s father was the sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish.

However, Bob’s father is the one who pushed him to persuade his career.

Bob was always interested in basketball, and Bob’s father used to make him practice in the backyard of the Kemmerly till he improved his basketball skills.

Bob Pettit in 50 number jersey.
A rare picture of Bob Pettit from his LSU days.

Besides, Bob had an average childhood, and he went to a simple church school. However, he got all the basic facilities, and he didn’t have to face many struggles as a child. 

Similarly, Bob had a perfect height; indeed, it became a plus point for him.

One of the main reasons for Bob’s inspiration was his family members. Bob’s family members were always supportive, and this gave him great strength to give his best.

However, Bob had to struggle during the initial days as both a freshman and sophomore.

But later, after immense practice, Bob was finally selected to play in the Noth-South all-star game. 

Check out Bob Pettit’s dunk and highlights! Click to watch!

Furthermore

Talking about his academic record, Bob joined Baton Rouge High School. After getting his degree, Bob was offered scholarships at 14 different Universities.

However, Bob decides to join nearby Louisiana State University. Bob was in that university for three years, and his average points were 27.8 per game; as a freshman in those years, he was not allowed to play varsity basketball.

Bob Pettit | Age, Height, and Physical Appearances

As of now, Bob is 90 years old, born under the sun-sign Sagittarius. People of this sun sign are usually determined, ambitious, and focused.

Bob somewhere matches with the character. Moreover, by his birth name, Bob is known as Robert E. Lee Pettit.

During his basketball days, Bob had a great physique. Similarly, he had a special diet plan and exercise routine those days.

However, as he has grown older, he can’t exercise as it requires a lot of stamina.

Bob Pettit standing tall.
Bob Pettit is standing on LSU ground to inaugurate his statue

However, Bob has tried to maintain his body, and he is around 93 kg these days. As it has been mentioned earlier, Bob is blessed with his height, and he is six ft. 9 inches tall. 

Further, Bob has beautiful brown eyes and black hair. He was also considered as one of the most handsome players during his playing career.

However, he didn’t have a muscular body, and Bob was lean and tall.

Unfortunately, his other body measurements are unknown. 

Besides, Bob belongs of American nationality, his ethnicity is white, and he is a Christian by religion. Similarly, Bob went to a church school in his childhood.

Bob Pettit’s Career Accolades

Early Career

As mentioned earlier, Bob had an interest in basketball from a very young age.

Although he was not considered a good player in the initial days, later, he turned out to be one of the best players in school due to constant practice and hard work.

Jersey number nine, Bob Pettit!!

After he joined LSU, he scored first in three consecutive games with an average of 25.5 points per game for the Southeastern Conference.

Due to his splendid performance in his junior year, he was honored with selection to both the All-SEC and All-American teams. 

Similarly, he has given a good number of wins to LSU. However, Bob retires from LSU as number 50.

Further, he is the first athlete, also called the “tiger athlete,” to receive this distinction in any sport.

Similarly, due to his outstanding performance, Bob was also given the title of a living legend of LSU.

Professional Career

After a successful university basketball career, Bob was drafted into NBA in the second round for Milwaukee Hawks.

Similarly, in 1954, Bob was signed with a good amount of money; he was the top paid rookie.

However, in the beginning, he was 200 pounds, due to which his games were affected.

Hence, the coach had to shift Bob’s position from the center position in LSU, and Coach sifted him into a forward position during his training days.

However, Bob had a tough time adjusting to his new position. Similarly, others were also skeptical about Bob’s NBA performance, as he was a newbie.

He had no experience in professional basketball, even though he had a good high school career.

Nonetheless, Bob proves everyone wrong as he grabs the NBA Rookie of the Year award with an average of 20.4 points per game. 

Bob went on playing basketball with great passion and dedication. Similarly, during his career, he has been awarded various awards and titles.

Moreover, Bob was also named as NBA All-star Games’ MVP in 1956.

Similarly, Bob has won MVP All-star game honors three times. Besides, Bob has also won NBA regular season MPV awards.

Furthermore

As time passed, Bob improved his game, and every year, he was made a new career-best.

Similarly, in 1961, Bob gave his career-best score average of 31.1 points per game. Even though he was performing well, the Hawks slipped to the fourth position.

Bob Pettit getting old.
The recent encounter of media with Bob Pettit after a long time.

Sadly, due to injury, Pettit had to end his career at the peak of his game in 1965. However, Bob became the first NBA player with an average of 20,000 points. 

Bob played 11 seasons in NBA, and undoubtedly, it is a long period.

Not surprisingly, Bob is the only retired player after Alex Groza, who has averaged more than 20 points per game every season. 

Nonetheless, Bob was named one of the top 50 mark payers in the history of the NBA in 1960.

Similarly, in 1970 Bob was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Post Retirement 

After retiring, Bob starts to work in the banking industry. For almost 23 years, he has worked for notable banks in Baton Rouge and Metairie.

After a successful career in banking, Bob proceeded toward financial consulting.

Amazingly, he even started a financial consulting firm. However, in 2006 Bob decided to take a break and retire from the firm.

Bob Pettit | Wife and Kids

Even though Bob is a public personality, he likes to keep his personal life private, i.e., secret. However, Bob’s fans are always eager to know about the different dips and highs in his life.

Talking about Bob’s love life, Bob was married to his beautiful wife Carole in 1965. This lovely couple had three kids together.

Bob even is a proud grandfather, and he has ten grandkids from all his children.

Unfortunately, Bob’s wife, Carole, passed away in 2010. Since then, Bob has been alone and is passing his life with the memories of his wife.

Bob Pettit | Net Worth

When Hawks signed him at Bob’s NBA draft, he had only $100 in his bank. However, Hawk signs him for $11,000, making him the highest-paid rookie then.

Undoubtedly, Bob has earned a great amount of fortune in his life. Most of his earnings come from his basketball career.

However, 23 years in banking and the financial firm have also helped him earn quite a good amount of money.

As per many sources, Bob Pettit’s net worth is expected to be $2.5 million. At present, Bob is living a lavish life by spending time with his grandchildren.

Sadly, Bob has not revealed anything related to his assets.

Social Media Presence

Sadly, Bob is not available on any of the social media platforms.

Bob has gained many fans worldwide with his hard work and dedication, but unfortunately, he doesn’t have any means to interact with them.

As bob is 88 years old at the time of writing, he might have thought he is too old for a social media thing.

However, many fans of his would love to hear updates from him about his personal life.

Besides, if you want more information regarding Bob Pettit, it can be easily available on google and many other social sites.

Some FAQs

What is the highest average point of Bob Pettit?

Bob Pettit’s highest average is 20,800 points. Besides, he is the first NBA player to eclipse the 20,000 points mark. In the meantime, he is also an All-Star MVP.

In how many seasons has Bob Pettit played?

Bob has played basketball in 11 seasons of the NBA.

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