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Pete Maravich

Overview

Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich (June 22, 1947 – January 5, 1988) was an American professional basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Beaver County, Pennsylvania

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 181,412 people, 72,576 households, and 50,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 418 people per square mile . There were 77,765 housing units at an average density of 179 per square mile...

, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...

(LSU) and played for three NBA

National Basketball Association

The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...

teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980. He is still the all-time leading NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic Association

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...

Division I scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game. (All of his accomplishments were achieved before the 3 point line was introduced to NCAA basketball, and despite being unable to play varsity as a freshman under then-NCAA rules.) Maravich died suddenly at age 40 during a pick-up game as a consequence of a previously undetected congenital heart defect. One of the youngest players ever inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Maravich was cited by the Hall as "perhaps the greatest creative offensive talent in history". In an April 2010 interview, Hall of Fame player John Havlicek

John Havlicek

John J. "Hondo" Havlicek is a retired American professional basketball player who competed for 16 seasons with the Boston Celtics, winning eight NBA titles, half of them coming in his first four seasons....

said "the best ball-handler of all time was (Pete) Maravich."

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Encyclopedia

Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich (June 22, 1947 – January 5, 1988) was an American professional basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Beaver County, Pennsylvania

, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University

(LSU) and played for three NBA

National Basketball Association

teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980. He is still the all-time leading NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic Association

John Havlicek

said "the best ball-handler of all time was (Pete) Maravich."

Early life

Pete Maravich was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Aliquippa is a city in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The population was 9,438 at the 2010 census. Formerly a borough, it was formally named a city in 1987 by the Aliquippa Council.-History:...

, a small steel town in Western Pennsylvania. Maravich amazed his family and friends with his basketball abilities from an early age. He enjoyed a close but demanding father-son relationship that motivated him toward achievement and fame in the sport. His father, Press Maravich

Press Maravich

Petar "Press" Maravich was an American college and professional basketball coach. He received the nickname "Press" for always having gossip-styled updates in his hometown of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, a Pittsburgh suburb. Maravich Sr...

, a former professional player-turned-coach, showed Maravich the fundamentals starting when he was seven years old. Obsessively, Maravich spent hours practicing ball control tricks, passes, head fakes, and long range shots.

This dedication and inventiveness manifested itself in early success: Maravich played high school varsity

Varsity

Varsity, a term originally derived from university, may refer to:In geography:*Varsity, Calgary, a neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta, Canada*Varsity Lakes, Queensland, a suburb of the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia...

ball at Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina

Central, South Carolina

Central is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States, along SC Highway 93. Contrary to its name, it is not near the central area of South Carolina...

a year before being old enough to attend the school. While at Daniel from 1961 to 1963, Maravich participated in the school's first ever game against a team from an all-black school. In 1963, his father, departing from his position as head basketball coach at Clemson University

Clemson University

Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....

, joined the coaching staff at North Carolina State. The Maravich family's subsequent move to Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...

allowed Pete to finish his high school career at Needham B. Broughton High School

Needham B. Broughton High School

Needham Bryant Broughton High School, or simply Broughton High School, is one of the flagship schools of the Wake County Public School System. It is located at 723 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Broughton was named after the Raleigh aristocrat, Needham B. Broughton, who...

. His high school years also saw the birth of his famous moniker. From his habit of shooting the ball from his side, as if he were holding a revolver

Revolver

A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...

, Maravich became known as "Pistol" Pete Maravich.

College

While Maravich would tell friends later in life he always desired to play basketball for West Virginia University and was all set to be a Mountaineer, his father was the varsity coach at LSU and his father offered the "Pistol" a spot at LSU. In his first game on the LSU freshman team Maravich put up 50 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists

Assist (basketball)

In basketball, an assist is attributed to a player who passes the ball to a teammate in a way that leads to a score by field goal, meaning that he or she was "assisting" in the basket. There is some judgment involved in deciding whether a passer should be credited with an assist...

against Southeastern Louisiana College

Southeastern Louisiana University

Southeastern Louisiana University is a state-funded public university in Hammond, Louisiana, United States. It was founded in 1925 by Linus A. Sims, the principal of Hammond High School, as Hammond Junior College, located in a wing of the high school building. Sims succeeded in getting the campus...

.

In only three years playing for his father at LSU, Maravich scored 3,667 points — 1,138 points in 1968, 1,148 points in 1969 and 1,381 points in 1970 while averaging 43.8, 44.2 and 44.5 points per game. In his collegiate career, the 6' 5" (1.96 m) guard averaged an incredible 44.2 points per game in 83 contests and led the NCAA in scoring in each of his three seasons.

Maravich's longstanding collegiate scoring record is particularly impressive when two other factors are taken into account:

First, NCAA rules at the time of Maravich's collegiate career prohibited freshmen from taking part in varsity competition, preventing Maravich from adding to his career record for a full quarter of his time at LSU. During this first year, Maravich scored 741 points in freshman competition.
Second, Maravich played before the advent of the three-point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...

line. His long-distance shooting skill thus produced far fewer points than would have been the case in a later era. Years later, former LSU head basketball coach Dale Brown
Dale Brown (basketball)
Dale Duward Brown is an American former college basketball coach who spent 25 years leading the LSU Tigers. His team earned Final Four appearances in 1981 and 1986. He is also remembered as one of the most vocal critics of the NCAA because he said it legislated against human dignity.-Life in...

charted every college game Maravich played, taking into consideration all shots he took. Brown calculated that at the NCAA rule of a three-point line at 19 feet (5.8 m), 9-inches from the rim, Maravich would have averaged thirteen 3-point scores per game, lifting the player's career average to 57 points per game.

More than 35 years later, many of his NCAA and LSU records still stand. Maravich was a three-time All-American. Though he never appeared in the NCAA tournament, Maravich played a key role in turning around a lackluster program that had posted a 3–20 record in the season prior to his arrival.

At Louisiana State University, Maravich was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...

fraternity.

NCAA career statistics

LSU Tigers basketball

The Louisiana State Tigers basketball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I men's college basketball. The team is currently coached by Trent Johnson and has enjoyed recent success, including a Final Four run in the 2005–2006 season. Past coaches include John Brady, Press...

| 19 || ... || ... || .452 || ... || .833 || 10.4 || … || … || … || 43.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1967–68
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 26 || ... || ... || .423 || ... || .811 || 7.5 || 4.0 || … || … || 43.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1968–69
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 26 || ... || ... || .444 || ... || .746 || 6.5 || 4.9 || … || … || 44.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1969–70
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 31 || ... || ... || .447 || ... || .773 || 5.3 || 6.2 || … || … || 44.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;" colspan=2|Career
| 83 || ... || … || .438 || ... || .775 || 6.5 || 5.1 || … || … || 44.2

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...

selected Maravich with the third pick in the first round of the 1970 NBA Draft

1970 NBA Draft

The 1970 NBA Draft was the 24th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 23, 1970 before the 1970–71 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...

. He was not a natural fit in Atlanta, as the Hawks already boasted a top-notch scorer at guard in Lou Hudson

Lou Hudson

Louis Clyde Hudson is a former NBA basketball player.-NBA career:Lou graduated from Dudley High School in Greensboro. After starring at the University of Minnesota, Hudson was selected by the St. Louis Hawks with the 4th pick of the 1966 NBA Draft...

. In fact, Pistol Pete's flamboyant style stood in stark contrast to the conservative play of Hudson and star center Walt Bellamy. And it didn't help that many of the veteran players resented the $1.9 million contract that Maravich received from the team – a very large salary at that time.

Still, the rookie's talent was undeniable. Maravich appeared in 81 games and average 23.2 points per contest – good enough to earn NBA All-Rookie Team

NBA All-Rookie Team

The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally...

honors. And he managed to blend his style with his teammates, so much that Hudson set a career high by scoring 26.8 points per game. But the team stumbled to a 36-46 record – 12 wins less than the previous season. Still, the Hawks qualified for the playoffs, where they lost to the New York Knicks

New York Knicks

The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...

in the first round.

Maravich struggled somewhat during his second season. His scoring average dipped to 19.3 points per game during the regular season, and the Hawks finished with another disappointing 36-46 record. Once again, they qualified for the playoffs, and once again, they were eliminated in the first round. However, Atlanta fought hard against the Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...

, with Maravich averaging 27.7 points in the series.

It was a sign of things to come. Maravich erupted in his third season, averaging 26.1 points and dishing out 6.9 assists per game. With 2,063 points, he combined with Hudson (2,029 points) to become only the second set of teammates in league history to each score over 2,000 points in a single season. The Hawks soared to a 46-36 record, but again bowed out in the first round of the playoffs. However, the season was good enough to earn Maravich his first-ever appearance in the NBA All-Star Game, and also All-NBA Second Team honors.

The following season (1973–74) was his best yet – at least in terms of individual accomplishments. Maravich posted 27.7 points per game - second in the league behind Bob McAdoo – and earned his second appearance in the All-Star Game. However, Atlanta sank to a disappointing 35-47 record and missed the postseason entirely.

New Orleans Jazz

In the summer of 1974, an expansion franchise was preparing for its first season of competition in the NBA. The New Orleans Jazz were looking for something, or someone, to fire up basketball fans in "The Big Easy". With his exciting style of play, Pistol Pete was the perfect man for the job. Of course, it helped that he already enjoyed celebrity status in Louisiana thanks to his legendary accomplishments at LSU. To acquire Maravich, the Jazz sent two players and four draft picks to Atlanta.

Predictably, the expansion team struggled mightily in its first season. Maravich managed to score 21.5 points per game, but shot a career-worst 41.9 percent from the floor. The Jazz posted a miserable 23-59 record, worst in the NBA. From there, New Orleans had nowhere to go but up.

Jazz management did their best to give Maravich a better supporting cast, and it worked – to an extent. The team posted a 38-44 record in its second season (1975–76), but did not qualify for postseason play, despite the dramatic improvement. Maravich struggled with injuries that limited him to just 62 games that season, but he averaged 25.9 points per contest and continued his crowd-pleasing antics. The entire league took notice of his extraordinary skills, electing him to the All-NBA First Team that year.

The following season (1976–77) was his best-ever as a professional player. He led the league in scoring with an average of 31.1 points per game. He scored 40 points or more in 13 different games, including a 68-point masterpiece against the Knicks. At that time, it was the most points ever scored by a guard in one game. In fact, only two players in league history had scored more points in a single game: Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain

Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...

and Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor

Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers....

. Baylor had a front row seat for Maravich's performance - because he was serving as head coach of the Jazz.

Maravich earned his third All-Star Game appearance and was honored as All-NBA First Team for the second consecutive season. He was in the prime of his career, seemingly scoring at will and showing off his flashy dribbling and passing skills in arenas all across the country.
But that all changed the following season. Injuries to both knees forced him to miss 32 games during the 1977-78 season. Despite being robbed of some quickness and athleticism, he still managed to score 27.0 points per game, and he also added 6.7 assists per contest, his highest average as a member of the Jazz. Many of those assists went to a new teammate: Truck Robinson

Truck Robinson

Leonard Eugene Robinson was a power forward for the Washington Bullets , Atlanta Hawks , New Orleans Jazz , Phoenix Suns , and New York Knicks ....

, who had joined the franchise as a free agent during the offseason. In his first year in New Orleans, he averaged 22.7 points and a league-best 15.7 rebounds per game. His presence prevented opponents from focusing their defensive efforts entirely on Maravich, and it lifted the Jazz to a respectable 39-43 record – just short of making the club's first-ever appearance in the playoffs.

Sadly, the good times did not last for long. Knee problems plagued Maravich for the rest of his career. He played in just 49 games during the 1978-79 season. He worked hard to overcome his injury troubles, scoring 22.6 points per game and earning his fifth (and final) All-Star appearance. But his scoring and passing abilities were severely impaired. The team struggled on the court, and faced serious financial trouble as well. Management became desperate to make some changes. The Jazz traded Robinson to the Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...

, receiving draft picks and some cash in return. But it was too late to save the franchise. In 1979, team owner Sam Battistone moved the Jazz to Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...

Final season

The Utah Jazz began play in the 1979-80 season. Maravich moved with the team to Salt Lake City, but his knee problems were worse than ever. He appeared in 17 games early in the season, but his injuries prevented him from practicing much, and new coach Tom Nissalke

Tom Nissalke

Thomas Edward "Tom" Nissalke is a retired former American professional basketball coach in the NBA and American Basketball Association...

had a strict rule that players who didn't practice were not allowed to play in games. Thus, Pistol Pete was parked on the bench for 24 straight games, much to the dismay of Utah fans (and to Maravich himself, of course). During that time, Adrian Dantley

Adrian Dantley

Adrian Delano Dantley is a retired American basketball player who played 15 seasons in the NBA, including seven as a member of the Utah Jazz. A forward/guard and six-time NBA All-Star, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008...

emerged as the team's new star player.

The Jazz placed Maravich on waivers in January 1980. He was claimed by the Celtics, the top team in the league that year, led by rookie superstar Larry Bird

Larry Bird

Larry Joe Bird is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish...

. Maravich adjusted to a new role as part-time contributor, giving Boston a "hired gun" off the bench. He helped the team post a 61-21 record in the regular season, best in the league. And, for the first time since his early career in Atlanta, Maravich was able to participate in the NBA playoffs. He appeared in nine games during that postseason; the Celtics eventually lost to Julius Erving

Julius Erving

Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....

and the Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...

in the Eastern Conference finals.

Realizing that his knee problems would never go away, Maravich retired at the end of that season. It is noteworthy that the NBA instituted the 3-point shot just in time for Pistol Pete's last season in the league. He had always been famous for his long-range shooting, but his final year provided an official statistical gauge of his abilities. Between his limited playing time in Utah and Boston, he made 10 of 15 3-point shots, a sizzling 67 percent.

During his ten-year career in the NBA, Maravich played in 658 games, averaging 24.2 points and 5.4 assists per contest. In 1985, the Jazz honored his contributions to the franchise by retiring his jersey #7. Two years later, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Regular season

Atlanta Hawks

| 81 || … || 36.1 || .458 || … || .800 || 3.7 || 4.4 || … || … || 23.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1971–72
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 66 || … || 34.9 || .427 || … || .811 || 3.9 || 6.0 || … || … || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1972–73
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 79 || … || 39.1 || .441 || … || .800 || 4.4 || 6.9 || … || … || 26.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1973–74
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 76 || … || 38.2 || .457 || … || .826 || 4.9 || 5.2 || 1.5 || .2 || 27.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1974–75
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 79 || … || 36.1 || .419 || … || .811 || 5.3 || 6.2 || 1.5 || .2 || 21.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1975–76
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 62 || … || 38.3 || .459 || … || .811 || 4.8 || 5.4 || 1.4 || .4 || 25.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1976–77
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 73 || … || 41.7 || .433 || … || .835 || 5.1 || 5.4 || 1.2 || .3 || 31.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1977–78
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 50 || … || 40.8 || .444 || … || .870 || 3.6 || 6.7 || 2.0 || .2 || 27.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1978–79
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 49 || … || 37.2 || .421 || … || .841 || 2.5 || 5.0 || 1.2 || .4 || 22.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1979–80
| style="text-align:left;"| Utah

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

/Boston

Boston Celtics

| 43 || … || 22.4 || .449 || .667 || .867 || 1.8 || 1.9 || .6 || .1 || 13.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;" colspan=2|Career
| 658 || … || 37.0 || .441 || .667 || .820 || 4.2 || 5.4 || 1.4 || .3 || 24.2

Playoffs

Atlanta Hawks

| 5 || … || 39.8 || .377 || … || .692 || 5.2 || 4.8 || … || … || 22.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1971–72
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 6 || … || 36.5 || .446 || … || .817 || 5.3 || 4.7 || … || … || 27.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1972–73
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 6 || … || 39.0 || .419 || … || .794 || 4.8 || 6.7 || … || … || 26.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1979–80
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

Boston Celtics

| 9 || … || 11.6 || .490 || .333 || .667 || .9 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 6.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" colspan=2|Career
| 26 || … || 29.1 || .423 || .333 || .784 || 3.6 || 3.8 || … || … || 18.7
|-

40 point games

Maravich scored 50 or more points six times and 40 or more points thirty-five times in the regular season. Maravich's career high in the playoffs was 37 points.

Points

Opponent

Home/Away

Date

Season

FGM

Field goal (basketball)

In basketball, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association in their rule book,...

FGA

FTM

FTA

New York Knicks

Home

Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich (June 22, 1947 – January 5, 1988) was an American professional basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Beaver County, Pennsylvania

, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University

(LSU) and played for three NBA

National Basketball Association

teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980. He is still the all-time leading NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic Association

John Havlicek

said "the best ball-handler of all time was (Pete) Maravich."

Early life

Pete Maravich was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Press Maravich

Varsity

ball at Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina

Central, South Carolina

Central is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States, along SC Highway 93. Contrary to its name, it is not near the central area of South Carolina...

Clemson University

Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....

, joined the coaching staff at North Carolina State. The Maravich family's subsequent move to Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

allowed Pete to finish his high school career at Needham B. Broughton High School

Needham B. Broughton High School

. His high school years also saw the birth of his famous moniker. From his habit of shooting the ball from his side, as if he were holding a revolver

Revolver

, Maravich became known as "Pistol" Pete Maravich.

College

Assist (basketball)

against Southeastern Louisiana College

Southeastern Louisiana University

First, NCAA rules at the time of Maravich's collegiate career prohibited freshmen from taking part in varsity competition, preventing Maravich from adding to his career record for a full quarter of his time at LSU. During this first year, Maravich scored 741 points in freshman competition.
Second, Maravich played before the advent of the three-point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...

line. His long-distance shooting skill thus produced far fewer points than would have been the case in a later era. Years later, former LSU head basketball coach Dale Brown
Dale Brown (basketball)
Dale Duward Brown is an American former college basketball coach who spent 25 years leading the LSU Tigers. His team earned Final Four appearances in 1981 and 1986. He is also remembered as one of the most vocal critics of the NCAA because he said it legislated against human dignity.-Life in...

charted every college game Maravich played, taking into consideration all shots he took. Brown calculated that at the NCAA rule of a three-point line at 19 feet (5.8 m), 9-inches from the rim, Maravich would have averaged thirteen 3-point scores per game, lifting the player's career average to 57 points per game.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

fraternity.

NCAA career statistics

{{NBA player statistics legend}}
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1966–67
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 19 || ... || ... || .452 || ... || .833 || 10.4 || … || … || … || 43.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1967–68
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 26 || ... || ... || .423 || ... || .811 || 7.5 || 4.0 || … || … || 43.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1968–69
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 26 || ... || ... || .444 || ... || .746 || 6.5 || 4.9 || … || … || 44.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1969–70
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks

selected Maravich with the third pick in the first round of the 1970 NBA Draft

1970 NBA Draft

. He was not a natural fit in Atlanta, as the Hawks already boasted a top-notch scorer at guard in Lou Hudson

Lou Hudson

NBA All-Rookie Team

New York Knicks

Boston Celtics

New Orleans Jazz

Wilt Chamberlain

and Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor

Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers....

Truck Robinson

Leonard Eugene Robinson was a power forward for the Washington Bullets , Atlanta Hawks , New Orleans Jazz , Phoenix Suns , and New York Knicks ....

Phoenix Suns

, receiving draft picks and some cash in return. But it was too late to save the franchise. In 1979, team owner Sam Battistone moved the Jazz to Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Final season

Tom Nissalke

Thomas Edward "Tom" Nissalke is a retired former American professional basketball coach in the NBA and American Basketball Association...

Adrian Dantley

emerged as the team's new star player.

The Jazz placed Maravich on waivers in January 1980. He was claimed by the Celtics, the top team in the league that year, led by rookie superstar Larry Bird

Larry Bird

Julius Erving

Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....

and the Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers

Regular season

{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1970–71
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 81 || … || 36.1 || .458 || … || .800 || 3.7 || 4.4 || … || … || 23.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1971–72
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 66 || … || 34.9 || .427 || … || .811 || 3.9 || 6.0 || … || … || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1972–73
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 79 || … || 39.1 || .441 || … || .800 || 4.4 || 6.9 || … || … || 26.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1973–74
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 76 || … || 38.2 || .457 || … || .826 || 4.9 || 5.2 || 1.5 || .2 || 27.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1974–75
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 79 || … || 36.1 || .419 || … || .811 || 5.3 || 6.2 || 1.5 || .2 || 21.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1975–76
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 62 || … || 38.3 || .459 || … || .811 || 4.8 || 5.4 || 1.4 || .4 || 25.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1976–77
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 73 || … || 41.7 || .433 || … || .835 || 5.1 || 5.4 || 1.2 || .3 || 31.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1977–78
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 50 || … || 40.8 || .444 || … || .870 || 3.6 || 6.7 || 2.0 || .2 || 27.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1978–79
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 49 || … || 37.2 || .421 || … || .841 || 2.5 || 5.0 || 1.2 || .4 || 22.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1979–80
| style="text-align:left;"| Utah

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

/Boston

Boston Celtics

Playoffs

{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1970–71
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 5 || … || 39.8 || .377 || … || .692 || 5.2 || 4.8 || … || … || 22.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1971–72
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 6 || … || 36.5 || .446 || … || .817 || 5.3 || 4.7 || … || … || 27.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1972–73
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 6 || … || 39.0 || .419 || … || .794 || 4.8 || 6.7 || … || … || 26.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1979–80
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

Boston Celtics

40 point games

Maravich scored 50 or more points six times and 40 or more points thirty-five times in the regular season. Maravich's career high in the playoffs was 37 points.

Points

Opponent

Home/Away

Date

Season

FGM

Field goal (basketball)

FGA

FTM

FTA

New York Knicks

Home

Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich (June 22, 1947 – January 5, 1988) was an American professional basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania

Beaver County, Pennsylvania

, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University

(LSU) and played for three NBA

National Basketball Association

teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980. He is still the all-time leading NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic Association

John Havlicek

said "the best ball-handler of all time was (Pete) Maravich."

Early life

Pete Maravich was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

Press Maravich

Varsity

ball at Daniel High School in Central, South Carolina

Central, South Carolina

Central is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States, along SC Highway 93. Contrary to its name, it is not near the central area of South Carolina...

Clemson University

Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....

, joined the coaching staff at North Carolina State. The Maravich family's subsequent move to Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

allowed Pete to finish his high school career at Needham B. Broughton High School

Needham B. Broughton High School

. His high school years also saw the birth of his famous moniker. From his habit of shooting the ball from his side, as if he were holding a revolver

Revolver

, Maravich became known as "Pistol" Pete Maravich.

College

Assist (basketball)

against Southeastern Louisiana College

Southeastern Louisiana University

First, NCAA rules at the time of Maravich's collegiate career prohibited freshmen from taking part in varsity competition, preventing Maravich from adding to his career record for a full quarter of his time at LSU. During this first year, Maravich scored 741 points in freshman competition.
Second, Maravich played before the advent of the three-point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...

line. His long-distance shooting skill thus produced far fewer points than would have been the case in a later era. Years later, former LSU head basketball coach Dale Brown
Dale Brown (basketball)
Dale Duward Brown is an American former college basketball coach who spent 25 years leading the LSU Tigers. His team earned Final Four appearances in 1981 and 1986. He is also remembered as one of the most vocal critics of the NCAA because he said it legislated against human dignity.-Life in...

charted every college game Maravich played, taking into consideration all shots he took. Brown calculated that at the NCAA rule of a three-point line at 19 feet (5.8 m), 9-inches from the rim, Maravich would have averaged thirteen 3-point scores per game, lifting the player's career average to 57 points per game.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

fraternity.

NCAA career statistics

{{NBA player statistics legend}}
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1966–67
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 19 || ... || ... || .452 || ... || .833 || 10.4 || … || … || … || 43.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1967–68
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 26 || ... || ... || .423 || ... || .811 || 7.5 || 4.0 || … || … || 43.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1968–69
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

| 26 || ... || ... || .444 || ... || .746 || 6.5 || 4.9 || … || … || 44.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1969–70
| style="text-align:left;"| Louisiana State

LSU Tigers basketball

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks

selected Maravich with the third pick in the first round of the 1970 NBA Draft

1970 NBA Draft

. He was not a natural fit in Atlanta, as the Hawks already boasted a top-notch scorer at guard in Lou Hudson

Lou Hudson

NBA All-Rookie Team

New York Knicks

Boston Celtics

New Orleans Jazz

Wilt Chamberlain

and Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor

Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers....

Truck Robinson

Leonard Eugene Robinson was a power forward for the Washington Bullets , Atlanta Hawks , New Orleans Jazz , Phoenix Suns , and New York Knicks ....

Phoenix Suns

, receiving draft picks and some cash in return. But it was too late to save the franchise. In 1979, team owner Sam Battistone moved the Jazz to Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Final season

Tom Nissalke

Thomas Edward "Tom" Nissalke is a retired former American professional basketball coach in the NBA and American Basketball Association...

Adrian Dantley

emerged as the team's new star player.

The Jazz placed Maravich on waivers in January 1980. He was claimed by the Celtics, the top team in the league that year, led by rookie superstar Larry Bird

Larry Bird

Julius Erving

Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....

and the Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers

Regular season

{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1970–71
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 81 || … || 36.1 || .458 || … || .800 || 3.7 || 4.4 || … || … || 23.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1971–72
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 66 || … || 34.9 || .427 || … || .811 || 3.9 || 6.0 || … || … || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1972–73
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 79 || … || 39.1 || .441 || … || .800 || 4.4 || 6.9 || … || … || 26.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1973–74
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 76 || … || 38.2 || .457 || … || .826 || 4.9 || 5.2 || 1.5 || .2 || 27.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1974–75
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 79 || … || 36.1 || .419 || … || .811 || 5.3 || 6.2 || 1.5 || .2 || 21.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1975–76
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 62 || … || 38.3 || .459 || … || .811 || 4.8 || 5.4 || 1.4 || .4 || 25.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1976–77
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 73 || … || 41.7 || .433 || … || .835 || 5.1 || 5.4 || 1.2 || .3 || 31.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1977–78
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 50 || … || 40.8 || .444 || … || .870 || 3.6 || 6.7 || 2.0 || .2 || 27.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1978–79
| style="text-align:left;"| New Orleans

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

| 49 || … || 37.2 || .421 || … || .841 || 2.5 || 5.0 || 1.2 || .4 || 22.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1979–80
| style="text-align:left;"| Utah

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...

/Boston

Boston Celtics

Playoffs

{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1970–71
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 5 || … || 39.8 || .377 || … || .692 || 5.2 || 4.8 || … || … || 22.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1971–72
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 6 || … || 36.5 || .446 || … || .817 || 5.3 || 4.7 || … || … || 27.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1972–73
| style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta

Atlanta Hawks

| 6 || … || 39.0 || .419 || … || .794 || 4.8 || 6.7 || … || … || 26.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1979–80
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston

Boston Celtics

40 point games

Maravich scored 50 or more points six times and 40 or more points thirty-five times in the regular season. Maravich's career high in the playoffs was 37 points.

Points	Opponent	Home/Away	Date	Season	FGM Field goal (basketball) In basketball, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association in their rule book,...	FGA	FTM	FTA
68	New York Knicks New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...	Home	{{Dts	{{nbay\|1976}}	26	43	16	19
51	Kansas City Kings	Home	{{Dts\|1976\|December\|14}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	18	38	15	18
51	Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...	Away	{{Dts\|1977\|March\|18}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	21	34	9
50	Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...	Home	{{Dts\|1972\|January\|16}}	{{nbay\|1971}}	18	29	14
50	Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...	Home	{{Dts\|1972\|February\|5}}	{{nbay\|1971}}	20	27	10
50	Washington Bullets	Home	{{Dts\|1976\|December\|26}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	23	39	4
49 {{small\|(OT)}}	Golden State Warriors Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	Away	{{Dts\|1976\|February\|10}}	{{nbay\|1975}}	18	36	13
47	Atlanta Hawks Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...	Away	{{Dts\|1975\|February\|8}}	{{nbay\|1974}}	18	37	11
46	Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	Away	{{Dts\|1977\|March\|20}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	19	38	8
45	Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...	Home	{{Dts\|1972\|November\|18}}	{{nbay\|1972}}	15		15	18
45 {{small\|(2 OT)}}	New York Knicks New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...	Home	{{Dts\|1975\|October\|26}}	{{nbay\|1975}}	11		23	26
45	Denver Nuggets Denver Nuggets The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|April\|10}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	13		19	22
44	Cincinnati Royals	Away	{{Dts\|1971\|March\|13}}	{{nbay\|1970}}	18	27	8
44	Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...	Home	{{Dts\|1972\|November\|4}}	{{nbay\|1972}}	14		16	22
44	Boston Celtics Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|January\|18}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	17		10
44 {{small\|(OT)}}	Kansas City Kings	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|March\|25}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	19	40	6
43	Boston Celtics Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...	Home	{{Dts\|1976\|November\|2}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	17		9
43	Houston Rockets Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|February\|6}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	17		9
42	Philadelphia 76ers Philadelphia 76ers The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...	Home	{{Dts\|1972\|December\|23}}	{{nbay\|1972}}	15		12
42	Buffalo Braves Buffalo Braves The Buffalo Braves were a team in the National Basketball Association. They later moved to San Diego, California to become the San Diego Clippers then subsequently the Los Angeles Clippers....	Home	{{Dts\|1973\|November\|28}}	{{nbay\|1973}}	12		18	18
42	Seattle SuperSonics Seattle SuperSonics The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...	Home	{{Dts\|1975\|January\|17}}	{{nbay\|1974}}	16		10
42	Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...	Away	{{Dts\|1977\|December\|27}}	{{nbay\|1977}}	17		8
41	Buffalo Braves Buffalo Braves The Buffalo Braves were a team in the National Basketball Association. They later moved to San Diego, California to become the San Diego Clippers then subsequently the Los Angeles Clippers....	Away	{{Dts\|1971\|January\|18}}	{{nbay\|1970}}	13		15	19
41	Golden State Warriors Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	Away	{{Dts\|1973\|October\|27}}	{{nbay\|1973}}	17		7
41	Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...	Home	{{Dts\|1976\|November\|21}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	16		9
41	Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|April\|1}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	17		7
41	New Jersey Nets New Jersey Nets The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...	Away	{{Dts\|1977\|October\|21}}	{{nbay\|1977}}	12		17	18
41	Kansas City Kings	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|November\|27}}	{{nbay\|1977}}	19	34	3
41	San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....	Home	{{Dts\|1978\|November\|10}}	{{nbay\|1978}}
40	New York Knicks New York Knicks The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...	Away	{{Dts\|1970\|November\|24}}	{{nbay\|1970}}	17		6
40	Phoenix Suns Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...	Away	{{Dts\|1973\|February\|16}}	{{nbay\|1972}}	15		10
40	Buffalo Braves Buffalo Braves The Buffalo Braves were a team in the National Basketball Association. They later moved to San Diego, California to become the San Diego Clippers then subsequently the Los Angeles Clippers....	Home	{{Dts\|1975\|January\|19}}	{{nbay\|1974}}	17		6
40	Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...	Away	{{Dts\|1976\|March\|13}}	{{nbay\|1975}}	14		12
40	San Antonio Spurs San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|February\|27}}	{{nbay\|1976}}	11		18	20
40	Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|December\|13}}	{{nbay\|1977}}	19	35	2

Top assist games

Assists	Opponent	Home/Away	Date
18 {{small\|(OT)}}	Detroit Pistons Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...	Home	{{Dts\|1973\|January\|16}}
17	Seattle SuperSonics Seattle SuperSonics The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...	Home	{{Dts\|1975\|January\|17}}
15	Seattle SuperSonics Seattle SuperSonics The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...	Home	{{Dts\|1977\|November\|17}}
15	Buffalo Braves Buffalo Braves The Buffalo Braves were a team in the National Basketball Association. They later moved to San Diego, California to become the San Diego Clippers then subsequently the Los Angeles Clippers....	Home	{{Dts\|1978\|January\|31}}

Regular season

Stat	High	Opponent	Date
Field goal percentage
Field goals made	26	vs. New York Knicks	{{Dts\|1977\|2\|25}}
Field goal attempts	43	vs. New York Knicks	{{Dts\|1977\|2\|25}}
Free throws made, none missed	18—18	vs. Buffalo Braves	{{Dts\|1973\|11\|28}}
Free throws made, none missed	15—15	at Milwaukee Bucks	{{Dts\|1972\|January\|23}}
Free throws made, one missed	17—18	at New Jersey Nets	{{Dts\|1977\|October\|21}}
Free throws made	23 {{small\|(2 OT)}}	vs. New York Knicks	{{Dts\|1975\|10\|26}}
Free throw attempts	26 {{small\|(2 OT)}}	vs. New York Knicks	{{Dts\|1975\|10\|26}}
Rebounds	15
Steals
Blocked shots

Later life and death

After the injury forced him to leave basketball in the fall of 1980, Maravich became a recluse

Recluse

A recluse is a person who lives in voluntary seclusion from the public and society, often close to nature. The word is from the Latin recludere, which means "shut up" or "sequester." There are many potential reasons for becoming a recluse: a personal philosophy that rejects consumer society; a...

for two years. Through it all, Maravich said he was searching "for life." He tried the practices of yoga

Yoga

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...

and Hinduism

Hinduism

Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...

, read Trappist

TRAPPIST

TRAPPIST is Belgian robotic telescope in Chile which came online in 2010, and is an acronym for TRAnsiting Planets and PlanetesImals Small Telescope, so named in homage to Trappist beer produced in the Belgian region. Situated high in the Chilean mountains at La Silla Observatory, it is actually...

monk Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton, O.C.S.O. was a 20th century Anglo-American Catholic writer and mystic. A Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, he was a poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion...

's The Seven Storey Mountain

The Seven Storey Mountain

The Seven Storey Mountain is the 1948 autobiography of Thomas Merton, a Trappist Monk and a noted author of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Merton finished the book in 1946 at the age of 31, five years after entering the Gethsemani Abbey near Bardstown, Kentucky...

and took an interest in the field of ufology

Ufology

Ufology is a neologism coined to describe the collective efforts of those who study reports and associated evidence of unidentified flying objects . UFOs have been subject to various investigations over the years by governments, independent groups, and scientists...

, the study of unidentified flying objects. He also explored vegetarianism

Vegetarianism

Vegetarianism encompasses the practice of following plant-based diets , with or without the inclusion of dairy products or eggs, and with the exclusion of meat...

and macrobiotics. Eventually, he embraced evangelical

Evangelicalism

Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...

Christianity

Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...

. A few years before his death, Maravich said, "I want to be remembered as a Christian, a person that serves Him [Jesus] to the utmost, not as a basketball player."

On January 5, 1988, Pete Maravich collapsed and died at age 40 of heart failure while playing in a pickup basketball game in the gym at a church in Pasadena, California

Pasadena, California

Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...

, with a group that included James Dobson

James Dobson

James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist, and founder in 1977 of Focus on the Family , which he led until 2003. In the 1980s he was ranked as one of the most influential spokesman for conservative social positions in American public life...

of Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...

fame. Maravich had flown out from his home in Louisiana

Louisiana

Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...

to tape a segment for Dobson's radio show that aired later that day. Dobson has said that Maravich's last words, less than a minute before he died, were "I feel great." An autopsy

Autopsy

An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...

revealed the cause of death to be a rare congenital defect; he had been born with a missing left coronary artery

Left coronary artery

The left coronary artery, abbreviated LCA and also known as the left main coronary artery , arises from the aorta above the left cusp of the aortic valve.-Branching:...

, a vessel which supplies blood to the muscle fibers of the heart. His right coronary artery

Right coronary artery

The right coronary artery originates above the right cusp of the aortic valve. It travels down the right atrioventricular groove, towards the crux of the heart.At the origin of the RCA is the conus artery....

was grossly enlarged and had been compensating for the defect.

"He'll be remembered always", former LSU head basketball coach Dale Brown

Dale Brown (basketball)

Dale Duward Brown is an American former college basketball coach who spent 25 years leading the LSU Tigers. His team earned Final Four appearances in 1981 and 1986. He is also remembered as one of the most vocal critics of the NCAA because he said it legislated against human dignity.-Life in...

said on hearing the news of Maravich's death.{{Citequote|date=March 2009}}

Maravich is buried at Resthaven Gardens of Memory and Mausoleum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Louisiana

Legacy

At the time of his death, Pete Maravich was survived by his wife, Jackie, and his two sons Jaeson, who was 8 years old, and Josh, aged 5. Only the previous year, Pete had taken Jaeson to the 1987 NBA All-Star Game in Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...

, and introduced him to Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...

.

Since Maravich's children were very young when he died, Jackie Maravich initially shielded them from unwanted media attention, not even allowing Jaeson and Josh to attend their father's funeral. However, a proclivity to basketball seemed to be an inherited trait. During a 2003 interview, Jaeson told USA Today

USA Today

USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...

that, when he was still only a toddler, "My dad passed me a (Nerf) basketball, and I've been hooked ever since... . My dad said I shot and missed, and I got mad and I kept shooting. He said his dad told him he did the same thing."

Despite some setbacks coping with their father's death and without the benefit his tutelage might have provided, each eventually was inspired to play high school and collegiate basketball, Josh at his father's alma mater, LSU. As of 2008, both men had also signed to play professional basketball with the Santa Barbara Breakers

Santa Barbara Breakers

The Santa Barbara Breakers are a team that plays in the West Coast Pro Basketball League.They team's maiden season began on April 13, 2007 in the International Basketball League. The team featured several former NBA players, such as Toby Bailey, Fred Vinson, Samaki Walker and Lamond Murray...

(West Coast Basketball League).

Memorabilia

Maravich's untimely death and mystique have made memorabilia associated with him among the most highly prized of any basketball collectibles. Game-used Maravich jerseys bring more money at auction than similar items from anybody other than George Mikan

George Mikan

George Lawrence Mikan, Jr. , nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball Association...

, with the most common items selling for $10,000 and up and a game-used LSU jersey selling for $94,300 in a 2001 Grey Flannel auction. The signed game ball from his career-high 68 point night on February 25, 1977 sold for $131,450 in a 2009 Heritage

Heritage Auctions

Heritage Auction Galleries is the world's largest collectibles auctioneer and the third largest auction house, with over $700 million in annual sales and 600,000 online bidder-members...

auction.

Honors, books, films, and music

In 1987, roughly a year before his death, Maravich co-authored an autobiography titled Heir to a Dream, that devoted much focus to his life after retirement from basketball and his later devotion to Christianity.
After Maravich's death, Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer
Buddy Roemer
Charles Elson "Buddy" Roemer III is an American politician who served as the 52nd Governor of Louisiana, from 1988 to 1992. He was elected as a Democrat but switched to the Republican Party on March 11, 1991...

signed a proclamation officially renaming the LSU home court the Pete Maravich Assembly Center
Pete Maravich Assembly Center
Pete Maravich Assembly Center is a 13,472-seat multi-purpose arena in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The arena opened in 1972. It is home to the Louisiana State University Tigers and Lady Tigers basketball teams. It was originally known as the LSU Assembly Center, but was renamed in memory of Pete...

.
In 1991
1991 in film
The year 1991 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*April 28 - Bonnie Raitt marries actor Michael O'Keefe in New York* Terminator 2: Judgment Day, became one of the landmarks for science fiction action films with its groundbreaking visual effects from Industrial Light & Magic.*November...

, a biographical film dramatizing his 8th grade season entitled, The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend, was released.
In 1996
1996-97 NBA season
The 1996–97 NBA season was the 51st season of the National Basketball Association . The league used this season to mark its 50th anniversary, which included the unveiling of the league's list of its 50 greatest players...

, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History by a panel made up of NBA historians, and coaches. He was the only deceased player on the list. At the 1997 All-Star Game, at halftime, in Cleveland, he was represented by his two sons.
In 2001, a comprehensive 90-minute documentary film debuted on CBS entitled, Pistol Pete: The Life and Times of Pete Maravich
Pistol Pete: The Life and Times of Pete Maravich
Pistol Pete: The Life and Times of Pete Maravich is an Emmy Award-winning documentary of "Pistol" Pete Maravich. It first aired on CBS during the Final Four Tournament on April 1, 2001. It was produced by George Roy, written by Steven Stern, and narrated by Harry Connick, Jr. It is considered the...

.
In 2005, ESPNU
ESPNU
ESPNU is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced by, affiliated with and owned by parent network ESPN. ESPNU originates out of ESPN Regional Television's ESPNU (often referred to as The U) is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced...

named Maravich the greatest college basketball player of all time.
In 2007, two biographies of Maravich were released:
- MARAVICH
  Maravich
  MARAVICH is a biography of "Pistol" Pete Maravich written by Wayne Federman and Marshall Terrill, in collaboration with Pete's widow, Jackie Maravich. It was published by Sport Classic Books in January 2007.-External links:...
  
  by Wayne Federman
  Wayne Federman
  Wayne Federman is an American comedian, actor, author, and comedy writer. He is noted for his numerous stand-up comedy appearances in clubs, theaters, and on television; his biography of "Pistol" Pete Maravich; and his supporting comedic acting roles in The X-Files, The Larry Sanders Show, Curb...
  
  and Marshall Terrill
  Marshall Terrill
  Marshall Terrill is an American author and journalist. He is noted for biographies on Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley, and Pete Maravich.- Early years: 1963-1982:...
  
  , and
- Pistol by Mark Kriegel
The Ziggens
The Ziggens
The Ziggens are a band based out of Orange County, California whose self-described style of "cowpunksurfabilly" combines elements of surf, rockabilly, punk, ska, and country. The Ziggens are led by Bert Susanka who sings and plays rhythm guitar. Other members include Dickie Little on lead guitar,...

, a band from Southern California, wrote a song about Maravich entitled "Pistol Pete".

Video game depictions

Is a legend in every NBA Live
NBA Live series
The NBA Elite is series of basketball video games, published by EA Sports. There has not been any entry in the series on a home console since 2009. In November 2010, development of the franchise was moved from EA Canada studio to Florida-based Tiburon studio...

game made.
In NBA Ballers
NBA Ballers
This article is for the original game, for the sequel see NBA Ballers: Phenom.For the PSP version see NBA Ballers: ReboundNBA Ballers is a streetball game which is similar to AND 1 Streetball and gameplay similar to the NBA Jam series. The game features fictional NBA analyst Bob Benson and MC...

with a flashback haircut.
In NCAA March Madness as "LSU PG #12" on the All-Time LSU team.
In NBA Street Vol. 2
NBA Street Vol. 2
NBA Street Vol. 2 is the sequel to NBA Street. It was released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and for the first time in the series, on the Xbox. Japan was only able to see a PlayStation 2 release of this game...

and NBA Street V3
NBA Street V3
NBA Street V3 is the third game in the NBA Street series. It is the sequel of NBA Street Vol. 2. It was released for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox, along with a PlayStation Portable port of V3 called NBA Street Showdown....
In NBA Street Showdown
NBA Street Showdown
NBA Street Showdown is a basketball game for the PlayStation Portable. It was released on April 27, 2005, and is the fourth game in the NBA Street series and the first to be portable. The game primarily features minigames, shot blocker and arcade shootout, as well as quick game modes. You can play...
In NBA 2K7
In NBA 2K8
In NBA 2K9
In NBA 2K10
NBA 2K10
NBA 2K10 is a basketball video game based on the National Basketball Association developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. It was released on October 6, 2009 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and PSP and on October 12, 2009 on PC. It was released on Wii on November 9, 2009 in...
In NBA 08
NBA 08
NBA 08 is a NBA basketball simulation developed by SCE San Diego Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released on October 2, 2007 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 2...
In NBA 2K12
NBA 2K12
NBA 2K12 is a basketball video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. It was released on October 4, 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Windows, Wii and for the first time on iOS iPhone and iPad...

Collegiate awards

The Sporting News College Player of the Year (1970)
USBWA College Player of the Year (1969, 1970)
Naismith Award Winner (1970)
The Sporting News All-America First Team (1968, 1969, 1970)
Three-time AP and UPI First-Team All-America (1968, 1969, 1970)
Led the NCAA Division I in scoring with 43.8 ppg (1968); 44.2 (1969) and 44.5 ppg (1970)
Averaged 43.6 ppg on the LSU freshman team (1967)
Scored a career-high 69 points vs. Alabama ({{Dts|1970|2|7}}); 66 vs. Tulane ({{Dts|1969|2|10}}); 64 vs. Kentucky ({{Dts|1970|2|21}}); 61 vs. Vanderbilt ({{Dts|1969|12|11}})
Holds LSU records for most field goals made (26) and attempted (57) in a game against Vanderbilt on {{Dts|1969|1|29}}
All-Southeastern Conference (1968, 1969, 1970)
#23 Jersey retired by LSU (2007)
In 1970, Maravich led LSU to a 20–8 record and a third place finish in the National Invitation Tournament

Collegiate records

Points, career: 3,667 (three seasons)
Highest scoring average, points per game, career: 44.2 (3,667 points/83 games)
Points, season: 1,381 (1970)
Highest scoring average, points per game, season: 44.5 (1,381/31) (1970)
Games scoring 50 or more points, career: 28
Games scoring 50 or more points, season: 10 (1970)
Field goals made, career: 1,387
Field goals made, season: 522 (1970)
Field goal attempts, career: 3,166
Field goal attempts, season: 1,168 (1970)
Free throws made, game: 30 (in 31 attempts), vs. Oregon State, {{Dts|1969|12|22}}
Tied by Ben Woodside
Ben Woodside
Ben Woodside is an American basketball player. He currently plays point guard for Union Olimpija in Slovenia.-High school:He attended Albert Lea High School where he set school career records for points, assists and steals.-College:...

, ND State, on {{Dts|2008|12|6}}

NBA awards

NBA All-Rookie Team
All-NBA First Team (1976, 1977)
All-NBA Second Team (1973, 1978)
Five-time NBA All-Star (1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979)
Led the league in scoring (31.1 ppg) in 1977, his career best
Scored a career-high 68 points against the New York Knicks on Feb. 25, 1977
#7 jersey retired by the Utah Jazz (1985)
#7 jersey retired by the Superdome (1988)
NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (1996)
#7 jersey retired by the New Orleans Hornets (2002), even though he never played for them—one of only four players to have a number retired by a team they did not play for.

NBA records

Free throws made, quarter: 14, Pete Maravich, third quarter, Atlanta Hawks vs. Buffalo Braves, {{Dts|1973|11|28}}

Broken by Vince Carter
Vince Carter
Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. He is a shooting guard who can also play small forward....

on {{Dts|2005|12|23}}

Free throw attempts, quarter: 16, Pete Maravich, second quarter, Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls, {{Dts|1973|1|2}}

Broken by Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace
Ben Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...

on {{Dts|2005|12|11}}

Second pair of teammates in NBA history to score 2,000 or more points in a season: 2, Atlanta Hawks ({{nbay|1972}})

Maravich: 2,063

Lou Hudson

Lou Hudson

: 2,029

Third pair of teammates in NBA history to score 40 or more points in the same game: New Orleans Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets, {{Dts|1977|4|10}}

Maravich: 45

Nate Williams

Nate Williams

Nathaniel Russell "Nate" Williams is a former professional basketball player. A swingman from Utah State University, Williams was selected first in the 1971 NBA Hardship Draft, a supplemental draft for college underclassman...

: 41

David Thompson

David Thompson (basketball)

David O'Neil Thompson is a former American professional basketball star with the Denver Nuggets of both the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association , as well as the Seattle SuperSonics...

of the Denver Nuggets also scored 40 points in this game.

Ranks 4th in NBA history — Free throws made, none missed, game: 18—18, Pete Maravich, Atlanta Hawks vs. Buffalo Braves, {{Dts|1973|11|28}}

Ranks 5th in NBA history — Free throws made, game: 23, Pete Maravich, New Orleans Jazz vs. New York Knicks, {{Dts|1975|10|26}} (2 OT)

External links

Pete Maravich Official Site
NBA Historical Bio
Video: Pistol Pete Maravich 68-point game shot-by-shot
ESPN bio
Pete Maravich Memorial at Find A Grave
Find A Grave
Find a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...
Pete Maravich's Greatest Achievement
Pete Maravich Bio LSU Tigers Athletics

{{Template group
|title = Links to related articles
|list =
{{1970 NBA Draft}}
{{1987 Basketball HOF}}
{{Basketball Hall of Fame guards}}
{{NBA50}}
{{Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year}}
{{Naismith Player of the Year men}}
{{Oscar Robertson Trophy}}
{{Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year}}
{{UPI College Basketball Player of the Year}}
{{Sporting News College Men's Basketball Player of the Year}}
{{NCAA Division I men's basketball scoring champion}}
{{1968 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1969 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1970 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{SEC Men's Basketball POY}}
{{Atlanta Hawks}}
{{Utah Jazz}}
{{New Orleans Hornets}}
{{NBA scoring leaders}}
}}
{{Persondata
|NAME = Maravich, Pete
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Maravich, Peter Press (full name)
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Serb-American basketball player
|DATE OF BIRTH = June 22, 1947
|PLACE OF BIRTH = Aliquippa

Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

|DATE OF DEATH = January 5, 1988
|PLACE OF DEATH = Pasadena

Pasadena, California

, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maravich, Pete}}

Pete Maravich

Early life

College

NCAA career statistics

Atlanta Hawks

New Orleans Jazz

Final season

Regular season

Playoffs

40 point games

Early life

College

NCAA career statistics

Atlanta Hawks

New Orleans Jazz

Final season

Regular season

Playoffs

40 point games

Early life

College

NCAA career statistics

Atlanta Hawks

New Orleans Jazz

Final season

Regular season

Playoffs

40 point games

Top assist games

Regular season

Later life and death

Legacy

Memorabilia

Honors, books, films, and music

Video game depictions

Collegiate awards

Collegiate records

NBA awards

NBA records

See also

Further reading

External links