# Bob Pettit Dies at 93 > NBA legend Bob Pettit, first MVP and Hawks star, dies at 93. - Title: Bob Pettit Dies at 93 · Chicago Sun-Times | Shortify - Summary: NBA legend Bob Pettit, first MVP and Hawks star, dies at 93. Bob Pettit, the first NBA MVP and St. Louis Hawks great, died at age 93 after a career spanning… - Keywords: bob pettit, nba, hawkins, st louis hawks, nba mvp, chicago sun-times, nba history, basketball hall of fame, news, local, Bob, Pettit - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/nba/2026/09/24/bob-pettit-the-first-nba-mvp-and-hawks-great-dies-at-93 - Published: 2026-09-24T23:25:21.143+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: bob pettit, nba, hawkins, st louis hawks, nba mvp, chicago sun-times, nba history, basketball hall of fame, news, local ## Bob Pettit dies Bob Pettit, the first NBA MVP and St. Louis Hawks great, dies at 93. > Bob Pettit, an imposing scorer and rebounder for the St. Louis Hawks and winner of the NBA’s first Most Valuable Player award in 1956, has died. He was 93. ## Pettit’s death announced LSU announced Thursday that Pettit died a day earlier without providing a cause of death. > Pettit’s alma mater, LSU, announced Thursday that he died a day earlier. The university did not provide a cause of death. ## Pettit’s NBA career Pettit played 11 seasons with the Hawks, winning the 1958 championship over the Boston Celtics. > Pettit was an All-American at LSU before going on to the NBA, where he was an All-Star for each of his 11 seasons, all with the Hawks. He led them to the 1.958 championship over the mighty Boston Celtics, the Hawks’ lone title. ## Pettit’s MVP achievements Pettit won the NBA MVP in 1959 and was MVP of the All-Star Game four times. > He was also the NBA MVP in 1959 and was the MVP of the All-Star Game four times, an achievement matched only by Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant. ## Pettit’s physical presence Pettit was 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds with a receding hairline, playing power forward before the position became part of basketball’s vocabulary. > At 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds and with a deeply receding hairline, Pettit was a physical presence at power forward, before such a position became part of basketball’s vocabulary. ## Pettit’s scoring records Pettit led the league in scoring at 25.7 points per game in 1956 and was the NBA’s scoring leader in 1959 at 29.2 points. > He captured the MVP the next season, leading the league in scoring at 25.7 points a game. He also was the NBA’s scoring leader in 1959 at 29.2 points. ## Pettit’s career statistics Pettit retired after the 1964-65 season with career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds. > He retired after the 1964-65 season with career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds. At that time, he was the NBA’s career leader in points (20,880) and second in rebounds (12,849). ## Pettit’s Hall of Fame induction Pettit was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970. > He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970. ## Pettit’s early life Pettit was born Dec. 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to a father who worked in law enforcement. > Robert Lee Pettit Jr. was born on Dec. 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His father worked in law enforcement and served as East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff. ## Pettit’s college career Pettit led LSU in scoring all three seasons with averages of 25.5 points as a sophomore, 24.9 as a junior and 31.4 as a senior. > He led the Southeastern Conference in scoring all three of his seasons, with averages of 25.5 points as a sophomore, 24.9 as a junior and 31.4 as a senior. ## Pettit’s rivalry with Celtics Pettit’s Hawks advanced to the finals four times against Boston, twice losing in seven games. > Pettit’s Hawks advanced to the finals four times, all against Boston, twice losing in seven games. ## Pettit’s retirement and legacy Pettit retired to Baton Rouge, worked in banking and financial consulting, and attended LSU and Pelicans games. > Pettit retired to his native Baton Rouge after leaving basketball and worked in banking and financial consulting. He was a regular at LSU and New Orleans Pelicans games in recent years. ## Key takeaway Bob Pettit, the first NBA MVP and St. Louis Hawks great, died at age 93 after a career spanning 11 NBA seasons and one championship.