NBA pioneer Bob Pettit, first MVP and Hall of Famer, dies at age 93
Bob Pettit, the NBA's first official Most Valuable Player and a Hall of Fame forward for the St. Louis Hawks, has died at age 93. LSU announced his passing on September 25, 2026, without citing a cause. Pettit was a two-time MVP, 11-time All-Star, and led the Hawks to their only championship in 1958. He retired as the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
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NBA Pioneer Bob Pettit, First MVP and Hall of Famer, Dies at Age 93
Bob Pettit, the first official NBA Most Valuable Player and a transformative figure in professional basketball, has died at the age of 93. His alma mater, Louisiana State University (LSU), announced his passing on Wednesday, September 25, 2026, without citing a cause. Pettit revolutionized the power forward position with his face-to-the-basket style and was a dominant scorer and rebounder for the St. Louis Hawks (later Atlanta Hawks) over 11 seasons. He was named NBA MVP in 1956 and 1959, won the league scoring title twice, and led the Hawks to their only championship in 1958, famously defeating the Boston Celtics. Despite his individual brilliance, Pettit's career was largely overshadowed by the Celtics' dynasty, as his Hawks lost three other NBA Finals to Boston. He retired in 1965 as the NBA's all-time leading scorer (20,880 points) and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970. The Atlanta Hawks praised his lasting legacy, stating his retired jersey remains a symbol of his impact on the organization.
Read sourceBob Pettit, NBA's first MVP and Hall of Fame basketball great, dies at age 93
Bob Pettit, a legendary basketball player who was named the NBA's first Most Valuable Player in 1956 and won the award again in 1959, has died at the age of 93. Pettit starred at Louisiana State University before joining the NBA, where he played his entire career with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star and a two-time MVP, leading the Hawks to the NBA championship in 1958. Pettit was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971. His death was widely reported by major news outlets including The Washington Post, ESPN, The New York Times, BBC, and USA Today, all noting his pioneering role in the league's early years and his lasting impact on the sport.
Read sourceBob Pettit, NBA Great and First MVP, Dies at Age 93
Bob Pettit, the Hall of Fame forward who was the NBA's first Most Valuable Player and led the St. Louis Hawks to their only championship, has died at the age of 93. Multiple news outlets, including AP News, ESPN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Yahoo Sports, reported his death. Pettit was a dominant force in the league during the 1950s and 1960s, known for his imposing play and scoring ability. He was a two-time NBA MVP and an 11-time All-Star. Pettit also starred at Louisiana State University (LSU) before his professional career. His legacy as one of the game's early greats and a foundational figure for the Hawks franchise is widely recognized in the reports.
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Bob Pettit, NBA's first MVP and 11-time All-Star, dies at age 93
Bob Pettit, the first recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player award and an 11-time All-Star, has died at the age of 93. Pettit, who played for the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks, was a dominant forward known for his scoring and rebounding. He won the inaugural NBA MVP award in 1956 and led the Hawks to the NBA championship in 1958. Pettit was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His death was reported by multiple major news outlets, including the BBC, The Washington Post, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as well as his alma mater LSU. He is remembered as one of the game's early greats and a pioneer of the professional league.
Read sourceBob Pettit, NBA's first Most Valuable Player and LSU star, dies at age 93
Bob Pettit, the first player to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player and a legendary figure for the St. Louis Hawks and Louisiana State University, has died at the age of 93. Multiple news outlets, including The New York Times, ESPN, and The Washington Post, reported his passing. Pettit was a dominant power forward who won the inaugural MVP award in the 1955-56 season and went on to win a second MVP in 1958-59. He led the Hawks to the NBA championship in 1958. Before his professional career, Pettit was a standout player at LSU, where he was a two-time All-American. His death marks the loss of one of the earliest superstars of professional basketball.
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