• Faith: Christian
• Career: Athlete
• Birthday:  December 12, 1932
• Date of Death:  September 23, 2026

Bob Pettit was an American professional basketball player who became one of the NBA’s earliest superstars. A two-time league MVP, 11-time All-Star and NBA champion, Pettit spent his entire professional career with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks and became the first NBA player to surpass 20,000 career points. He died on September 23, 2026, at age 93.

Robert Lee Pettit Jr. was born December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His father, Robert Lee Pettit Sr., had played college basketball and served as sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish. Pettit’s own basketball career began slowly. He was cut from the varsity team at Baton Rouge High School as both a freshman and sophomore and played church league basketball during his sophomore year. Encouraged by his father, Pettit spent hours practicing on a backyard basketball court. After a growth spurt and significant improvement, he made the varsity team as a junior. As a senior, the 6-foot-7 Pettit led Baton Rouge High to its first state championship in more than 20 years.

Pettit remained in his hometown to attend Louisiana State University. After sitting out his freshman season under NCAA rules at the time, he became one of the most accomplished players in LSU history. He led the Southeastern Conference in scoring in each of his three varsity seasons, earned All-America honors twice and helped LSU win consecutive SEC championships in 1953 and 1954. In 1953, he led the Tigers to their first NCAA Final Four. As a senior, Pettit averaged 31.4 points and 17.3 rebounds per game. LSU retired his No. 50 in 1954, making him the first athlete in any sport at the university to receive that honor.

The Milwaukee Hawks selected Pettit with the second overall pick in the 1954 NBA Draft. Despite questions about whether his lean frame could withstand professional basketball, he quickly established himself, winning NBA Rookie of the Year in 1955. A year later, after the franchise moved to St. Louis, Pettit became the first recipient of the NBA’s regular-season Most Valuable Player Award. He won the award again in 1959.

Pettit’s defining NBA performance came in the 1958 NBA Finals. Facing Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics, Pettit scored 50 points in Game 6 to lead St. Louis to the championship. He finished his 11-season career with 20,880 points and 12,849 rebounds, averaging 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game. He was an All-Star every season he played and earned 10 All-NBA First Team selections. Pettit retired in 1965 and was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was also selected to the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversary teams.

Following basketball, Pettit built a lengthy career in banking and finance in Louisiana. He spent more than two decades in banking before moving into financial consulting and later co-founded Equitas Capital Investors. He retired from the firm in 2006. Pettit was married to Carole Crowell Pettit until her death in 2010. He had three children and 10 grandchildren.

Pettit died peacefully at his home in Metairie, Louisiana, on September 23, 2026. His family remembered him not only for his accomplishments but for his character, describing him as an “amazing father” and a “kind, humble and gentle soul.” No cause of death was immediately announced.

Bob Pettit’s Religious Beliefs

Pettit was a Christian whose faith was reflected in his longtime involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He participated in FCA camps and events for years, teaching basketball while also speaking to athletes and coaches about faith.

His involvement had a lasting influence on others. Former University of Wisconsin basketball coach John Erickson, who later became president of FCA, credited a 1960 FCA camp with changing the direction of his spiritual life. Erickson attended the camp in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where he heard Pettit and others speak. After returning home, Erickson committed his life to Christ. FCA later recognized Pettit as one of the organization’s legends for his years of service and influence.