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.
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 |
|
| 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
