Wilt Chamberlain: The First and Only 1962 NBA MVP

Wilt Chamberlain was the first and only player to be unanimously voted MVP in the NBA in 1962. He was also the first rookie to ever receive the award.

Chamberlain’s early years and basketball career

Wilton Norman “Wilt” Chamberlain was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, into a family of nine children. His father worked as a custodian at the University Of Pennsylvania and his mother was a homemaker. Chamberlain grew to a height of 7 feet 1 inch (2.16 meters) by the time he was in High School and was already attracting attention for his basketball skills He played for Overbrook high school in Philadelphia, leading the school to a City Championship in 1955. That year, he also set state records for scoring (90 points in one game) and rebounding.

Chamberlain’s college years

Chamberlain’s college years were spent at the University of Kansas where he played for the Jayhawks basketball team He was a two-time All-American and led the Jayhawks to a National Championship in his junior year. After his junior year, Chamberlain declared for the NBA draft and was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors with the first overall pick.

Chamberlain’s NBA years

Wilt Chamberlain who died in October 1999 at the age of 63, was one of the most dominant players in NBA history A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame he was the first player to score more than 30,000 points in his career and is the only player to average more than 50 points per game in a season.

Chamberlain was born in Philadelphia in 1936 and played college basketball at the University of Kansas He was drafted by the NBA’s Philadelphia Warriors in 1959 and quickly became one of the league’s Top Players In his first season, he averaged 37.6 points per game a record that still stands as the highest average for a rookie. The following year, Chamberlain averaged an astonishing 50.4 points per game a record that still stands as the single-season scoring average.

During his 14 seasons in the NBA, Chamberlain played for three teams: the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959-1965), the Philadelphia 76ers (1965-1968), and the Los Angeles Lakers (1968-1973). He won two NBA championships both with the Lakers: one in 1972 and one in 1973. He was named NBA MVP four times (1960, 1966, 1967, 1968) and was selected to play in 13 NBA All-Star Games. Chamberlain retired from basketball in 1973 and died 26 years later of cardiac arrest.

Chamberlain’s MVP year

In 1961-1962, Wilt Chamberlain became the first, and to date only, player to average over 50 points per game in an NBA season He led the league in scoring with 50.4 Points per game rebounding with 25.7 rebounds per game and field goal percentage at .506%. He also set a record for most points in a single game with 100 points against the New York Knicks For his accomplishments, Chamberlain was unanimously named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player becoming the first player ever to receive all first-place votes for MVP.

Chamberlain’s later years

In Chamberlain’s later years, he became known for his unusual diet and lifestyle choices. He was a self-proclaimed “mama’s boy” who enjoyed cooking and baking, and was rarely seen without a sweater. He was also a recluse who avoided the public eye, and was often described as “strange” and “eccentric.”

In his final years, Chamberlain battled several health issues, including heart problems and dementia. He died in October 1999 at the age of 63.

Chamberlain’s legacy

Wilt Chamberlain’s legacy as the first and only NBA player to win MVP in both the regular season and the playoffs in the same year is one that few have been able to match. His other legacies include being one of only four players to average at least 40 points per game in a season, as well as holding numerous other records.

Chamberlain’s impact on the game of basketball

Wilt Chamberlain’s impact on the game of basketball cannot be understated. He was the first and only player to be named MVP in 1962, and his skill set was completely unique for his time. Standing at 7’1″, Chamberlain was an unstoppable force in the paint, using his strength and size to dominate opponents. He was also an excellent passer and rebounder, making him a complete player on both ends of the court. In addition to his individual success, Chamberlain led the Philadelphia Warriors to the NBA Finals in 1967, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games.

Chamberlain’s impact on the game changed how teams approached building their rosters. Prior to Chamberlain’s arrival, teams primarily focused on acquiring small, quick players who could shoot from outside. However, after witnessing Chamberlain’s success, teams began to realize that size and strength were equally important commodities. This shift in thinking led to an influx of taller players entering the league, which in turn made basketball a more physical sport. It also opened up opportunities for players like Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to excel, as their size and skillset were better suited for playing against taller opponents.

Chamberlain’s legacy extends beyond his statistical accomplishments or the successes of his teams. He changed the game of basketball forever, and his impact is still felt today.

Chamberlain’s influence on subsequent generations

Wilt Chamberlain’s 1962 NBA MVP season is remembered as one of the most dominant individual performances in Basketball History The 7-foot-1 center averaged an astonishing 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game leading the Philadelphia Warriors to a then-record 55 wins. His scoring average remains the highest in NBA history and his rebounding mark is the fourth best ever.

Chamberlain’s MVP season coincided with the introduction of the 24-second shot clock which helped open up the game and allow players like Chamberlain to flourish. His impact was felt not only by his contemporaries, but also by subsequent generations of players who were inspired by his unique combination of size, strength and athleticism.

The Chamberlain legacy today

Today, the Chamberlain legacy is kept alive by the Wilt Chamberlain Foundation, a charity that provides scholarship money to students in need. The charity was founded in 1999, and has since awarded over $1 million in scholarships.

Why Chamberlain remains the only 1962 NBA MVP

In the 1961–62 NBA season Chamberlain became the first player in NBA history to average more than 50 points and 25 rebounds per game. His achievements that season led him to be named the MVP of the league, becoming the first and only player in NBA history to be unanimously selected for the award.

Chamberlain’s dominance continued in the 1962–63 season. He once again averaged a double-double of 30.1 points and 22.9 rebounds per game. On January 14, 1963, Chamberlain scored 100 points against the New York Knicks becoming the only player in NBA history to score 100 points in a single game.

Chamberlain’s achievements during the 1961–62 and 1962–63 seasons led many to consider him to be the greatest player in NBA history up to that point.