Pete Maravich

Pete Maravich was truly one of a kind and a special basketball player. Maravich played in both the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before playing professionally though, Maravich was a legend at Louisiana State in the NCAA. His unmatched creativity earned Maravich the nickname “Pistol Pete.” His ability to make spectacular passes and unorthodox shots made “Pistol Pete” one of the most entertaining and beloved basketball players of all-time.

Pistol Pete was never much about winning, but rather the showmanship of the game. For Pete, it wasn’t about which team won or lost, but rather which player was the star of the show. It was a competition that Pete normally won. In college in Pete averaged 43.6, 43.8, 44.2, and 44.5 points per game in his four seasons at Louisiana State. It was a standard he would forever try to duplicate in the ABA and NBA.

http://www.nba.com/history/players/maravich_bio.html

Pistol Pete first become a professional basketball player in 1970 when he was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks. Although he never found much success with the team, Pete would play for the Atlanta Hawks from 1970 through the 1974 season, when he was traded to the New Orleans Jazz. Considering Pete’s ties to Louisiana, the New Orleans Jazz turned out to be a perfect fit. While the team never won much, it was with the Jazz that Pistol Pete saw his best years as a pro. In 1977 Pete averaged 31.1 points per game and led the NBA in scoring. In the same season, Pete scored 40 or more points on 13 occasions and in a game against the New York Knicks had his single game career high of 68 points.

Pete would later sign with the Boston Celtics in 1980, but unfortunately missed out on the championships of the Larry Bird years. In 1996, “Pistol” Pete Maravich was selected as one of the 50 greatest players ever by the NBA.

http://www.nba.com/history/players/maravich_bio.html