Bob Pettit: NBA's first MVP recipient and 11-time All-Star dies aged 93
Bob Pettit, the first-ever NBA MVP and an 11-time All-Star, has passed away at the age of 93. A legendary figure for the St. Louis Hawks and LSU, Pettit was a pioneer of the modern power forward position.
Why it matters
Pettit's death marks the loss of one of basketball's foundational icons who helped define the professional game in its early era.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Bob Pettit was named an All-Star in all 11 of his NBA seasons
Bob Pettit, the first man to receive the NBA's MVP (most valuable player) award, has died aged 93.
Pettit won the award twice, in its first year in 1955-56 and again in 1958-59, when he topped the scoring charts in both seasons.
The Basketball Hall of Fame confirmed Pettit's death, describing him as "a true giant of the game" and "a sleek, skilled big man who revolutionised the forward position during his career."
He was also named an NBA All-Star in all 11 of his seasons and was the first player to reach 20,000 points.
"He raised the bar for excellence as the league's first MVP, first 20,000-point scorer and first four-time All-Star Game MVP," said the NBA.
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