NBA Pioneer Bob Pettit, First MVP, Passes Away at 93

WHO:

CBS News - Pettit's father worked in law enforcement and served as East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff.

AP - Pettit's alma mater, LSU, announced that he died a day earlier than the announcement.

CBS News - Bob Pettit, NBA Hall of Famer and the first MVP of the NBA.

CBS News - Pettit played for the St. Louis Hawks.

CBS News - He was an All-American at LSU.

CBS News - Pettit was born Robert Lee Pettit Jr. in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

WHAT:

CBS News - Pettit was the last Rookie of the Year before the Hawks moved from Milwaukee to St. Louis.

CBS News - Pettit led the Southeastern Conference in scoring with averages of 25.5 points as a sophomore, 24.9 as a junior, and 31.4 as a senior.

CBS News - Pettit is one of only three LSU players to earn a place in the Hall of Fame, alongside Pete Maravich and Shaquille O'Neal.

CBS News - Bronze statues of Pettit and O'Neal stand outside LSU's home arena, the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

CBS News - Pettit's No. 50 is retired by LSU, and his No. 9 is retired by the Atlanta Hawks.

AP - Pettit was the NBA's scoring leader in 1959 at 29.2 points per game.

AP - Pettit was two victories short of being a three-time NBA champion, with the Hawks advancing to the finals four times against the Boston Celtics.

CBS News - Bob Pettit has died at the age of 93.

CBS News - He was the NBA's first Most Valuable Player in 1956.

CBS News - Pettit was an All-Star for each of his 11 seasons in the NBA.

CBS News - He led the Hawks to their only championship in 1958.

CBS News - Pettit was the NBA MVP in 1959 and the MVP of the All-Star Game four times.

CBS News - He retired with career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds.

CBS News - Pettit was the NBA's career leader in points (20,880) and second in rebounds (12,849) at the time of his retirement.

CBS News - He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.

WHERE:

CBS News - Pettit played for the St. Louis Hawks, which was based in St. Louis, Missouri.

CBS News - He was a regular at LSU and New Orleans Pelicans games in Baton Rouge.

WHEN:

CBS News - Pettit was born on Dec. 12, 1932.

CBS News - He was the Rookie of the Year in 1955.

CBS News - Pettit led the Southeastern Conference in scoring for three seasons during his college career.

WHY:

CBS News - The cause of Pettit's death was not provided by LSU.

HOW:

CBS News - Pettit was known for his resolve, stating, "he simply would not be outworked."

AP - Pettit was one of the first big men who did not play solely with his back to the basket.

CBS News - Pettit was known for his physical presence at 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, playing as a power forward and center.

Basketball legend Bob Pettit, who was the last Rookie of the Year before the Hawks moved from Milwaukee to St. Louis, has passed away. He was a standout player at LSU, leading the Southeastern Conference in scoring with impressive averages of 25.5 points as a sophomore, 24.9 as a junior, and 31.4 as a senior, and is one of only three LSU players to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, alongside Pete Maravich and Shaquille O'Neal. Pettit's No. 50 jersey is retired by LSU, his No. 9 jersey is retired by the Atlanta Hawks, and bronze statues of him and O'Neal stand proudly outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, a testament to his incredible legacy in the sport.