Sean Elliott
American basketball player
Pete Maravich
American basketball player
Pete Maravich, nicknamed ‘Pistol Pete’, was an American basketball legend who set numerous NCAA scoring records at Louisiana State University. Despite never playing varsity as a freshman, he went on to have a successful professional career with the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, and Boston Celtics, making five All-Star teams and four All-NBA Teams. Maravich was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at a young age and is considered one of the greatest offensive talents and ball handlers in basketball history.
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About the Pete Maravich
Peter Press Maravich, known by his nickname Pistol Pete, was an American professional basketball player. He starred in college at Louisiana State University’s Tigers basketball team; his father, Press Maravich, was the team’s head coach. Maravich is the all-time leading NCAA Division I men’s scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game. All of his accomplishments were achieved before the adoption of the three-point line and shot clock, and despite being unable to play varsity as a freshman under then-NCAA rules.
Maravich was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1970 NBA draft, playing four seasons for the team. He was traded to the New Orleans Jazz, then an expansion team, with whom he spent the majority of the rest of his career. His final season was split between the Jazz and the Boston Celtics. Injuries ultimately forced Maravich’s retirement in 1980 following a 10-year professional basketball career. He was named an All-Star five times and was named to four All-NBA Teams during his professional career.
One of the youngest players ever inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Maravich was considered to be one of the greatest creative offensive talents ever and one of the best ball handlers of all time. He died suddenly at age 40 during a pick-up game in 1988 as a consequence of an undetected heart defect. Maravich was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary team in 1996 and 75th Anniversary team in 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pete Maravich was an American professional basketball player, known for his exceptional scoring ability and ball-handling skills. He starred at Louisiana State University and went on to play in the NBA for the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, and Boston Celtics.
Pete Maravich is the all-time leading NCAA Division I men’s scorer with 3,667 points scored and an average of 44.2 points per game. All of his accomplishments were achieved before the adoption of the three-point line and shot clock, and despite being unable to play varsity as a freshman under then-NCAA rules.
Pete Maravich played in the NBA for 10 seasons, from 1970 to 1980. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1970 NBA draft and spent the majority of his professional career with the New Orleans Jazz, an expansion team at the time.
Pete Maravich was named an All-Star five times and was named to four All-NBA Teams during his professional career. He was also one of the youngest players ever inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and was named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary teams.
Pete Maravich’s professional basketball career was cut short due to injuries, leading to his retirement in 1980 at the age of 32. Tragically, he died suddenly at the age of 40 during a pick-up game in 1988 as a consequence of an undetected heart defect.
6 Quotes by Pete Maravich
- 1.
My life had no meaning at all. I found only brief interludes of satisfaction. It was like my whole life had been about my whole basketball career.
Pete MaravichAmerican basketball player
- 2.
I don’t want to play 10 years and then die of a heart attack when I’m 40.
Pete MaravichAmerican basketball player
- 3.
It’s hard when your father’s the coach. Sometimes you don’t know where one leaves off and the other begins.
Pete MaravichAmerican basketball player
- 4.
There is nothing wrong with dedication and goals, but if you focus on yourself, all the lights fade away and you become a fleeting moment in life.
Pete MaravichAmerican basketball player
- 5.
I lived my life one way for 35 years, for me. And then the focus came in on what I really was.
Pete MaravichAmerican basketball player
- 6.
They don’t pay you a million dollars for two-hand chest passes.
Pete MaravichAmerican basketball player