PETE'S TEAMS

Pete began playing varsity basketball as a miniscule eighth grader (5'2", ninety pounds) at Daniel High School. He played a prodigous game alongside the other starters, mainly seniors, including his older brother, Ronnie. Due to his tiny frame, opponents found it useless to guard him. Nonetheless, Maravich still accelerated as a player. He dazzled crowds with his prolific scoring and innovative moves as a starter for Daniel High School through his sophmore year. He even set a record while there--scoring the most points at the time--483.

Press Maravich, Pete's father, moved the family to North Caroline the summer preceding the start of Pete's junior year. That fall, Needham-Broughton High School received a new talent for their basketball program. Pete's game continued to improve, as did his physical stature--he started to grow in height! He felt taller, and stronger as he wore the number twenty-three jersey in honor of his older brother, his hero, Ronnie. At Needham-Broughton High School, Pete scored the most points in a single season (735), and had the best average of forty-six games--thirty two points per game. Pete also played in the North Carolina All Star Game and scored the most points--forty-seven.

Since Pete was such a phenomenal player, he had the choice of going to almost any college he wished. Initially, Pete had planned on attending a West Virginia college, but that was before Press accepted the position as head basketball coach at Louisiana State University (LSU). Press made it clear to Pete that he was going to LSU: either he accompany Press to LSU or never come home again. Pete went to LSU, where history was waiting to be made.

Pete had thought Press was joking about him attending LSU because there really was no basketball program at LSU at that time. LSU was a football school--no one cared about basketball. However, that was before a talented, floppy-sock kid named Pistol Pete Maravich arrived on the scene. In his freshman year, Maravich led the Baby Bengals to an impressive 17-1 record, and averaged 43.6 points a game! Over the next three years, Pete played varsity basketball for LSU, and brought basketball to a whole new level as he put "showtime" in the national spotlight. He transformed LSU from a conference doormat to a winner to be reckoned with. Pete averaged 44.2 points per game over his three-year varisty record and scored over fifty points twenty-eight times! He finished his college career with an outstanding 3,667 points! He also led the Tigers to the N.I.T. final four in his senior year. Although the Tigers finished in third place, the future in the pros for Pete looked as bright as ever.

Pete Maravich signed to play with the Atlanta Hawks in 1970. His signature number, twenty-three, had already been taken on the team, so he chose the number forty-four, in honor of his college average. He was to be paid over one million dollars, which angered his other teammates. During his rookie year, their resentment was prominent as they rarely attempted to help Pete out of tough situations on the court. However, Pete was undeterred and continued to strive to improve his game. In his first season, Pete averaged 23.2 points per game. He was selected to the All-Rookie Team, but was placed third in the selection of Rookie of the Year. During his second season, his average slipped to 19.3, and by his third year as a pro the figure had risen to 26.1. It was also during his third year as a pro, that Pete was selected to play on the All-Star team. In his fourth and final year with the Atlanta Hawks, Pete averaged 27.7 points per game.

In 1974, Pete received a shock. He was to be traded to a new team franchise, the New Orleans Jazz. He was disappointed because he knew it would be several years before the Jazz would have any chance of becoming a consistent winner, which would ultimately lead him to achieving his goal of acquiring a championship ring. However, some of Maravich's best years in the NBA would be spent while playing with New Orleans. At this time in his life, however, there was not very much peace. He was battling alcohol problems and mourning the loss of his mother, Helen. He also suffered a great deal of physical pain from his consistent knee injuries. His basketball game struggled at times, but he continued to strive for improvement. He became a better player, less of a star, and more of a team player. He was selected as an All-Starr three times during his Jazz career, and he even led the league in scoring, in 1977, with an average of 31.1 points per game.

One of the most exciting highlights of Pete's career came during his time with the New Orleans Jazz. They were playing the New York Knicks, with their "defensive wizard" Walt Frazier. Pete popped out sixty-eight points that night against the Knicks. At one time during the game, Frazier turned to his teammate, "Earl the Pearl" Monroe, and suggested he defend Maravich. Monroe responded, "No. You're the defensive genius. You stick with him."

After the 1977 season, the New Orleans Jazz became the Utah Jazz and moved to a more spacious location in Utah. This move also meant there would be a shift in the managment as well, including a new coach. When the Jazz were due to play against the L.A. Lakers, with their new rookie "Magic" Johnson, there was a big hype from the press about the two "magic" men finally meeting. However, that never happened. Before the game, the coach reviewed the line-up--and Maravich was not included. Pete did not interrogate the coach about his decision, and the coach did not bother to explain. From that point on, Maravich spent most of his time collecting splinters on the bench. He then decided it was time to find a new team. He had spent his entire career in the NBA with losing teams. He needed to be on a team that would help him fulfill his dream of acquiring a championship ring.

Pete had narrowed down his decision to two teams: The Philadelphia 76ers or the Boston Celtics. In the end, he chose the Boston Celtics. Pete informed the management that he wanted to earn his place on the team. The deal was that Pete would eventually earn his way to playing an entire half of a game with the Celtics. Unfortunately, that never happened--Pete's playing time would range anywhere from ten to twenty minutes, but never an entire half like he was promised. After a year and a half with the Celtics, Pete decided it was time to get out. He retired from basketball in 1980, leaveing behind a spectacular career full of magical moments.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

High School

Pete played for the following schools in High School:

Daniel (Clemson, S.C.) High School (1961-63)

Needham Broughton (Raleigh, NC) (1963-65)

Edward Military Institute (Salemberg, NC) (1965-66)

College

Pete played for Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1966-1970.

College Highlights:

Three-year letter winner (1967-70)

The Sporting News College Player of the Year (1970)

Naismith Award Winner (1970)

The Sporting News All-America First Team (1968, 1969, 1970)

Three-time AP and UPI First-Team All-America (1968, 1969, 1970)

Holds NCAA career record for most points (3,667, 44.2 ppg, three-year career) in 83 games

Holds NCAA career record for highest points per game average (44.2 ppg)

Holds NCAA record for most field goals made (1,387) and attempted (3,166)

Holds NCAA record for most free throws made (893) and attempted (1,152)

Holds NCAA record for most games scoring at least 50 points (28)

Holds NCAA single-season record for most points (1,381) and highest per game average (44.5 ppg) in 1970

Holds NCAA single-season record for most field goals made (522) and attempted (1,668) in 1970

Holds NCAA single-season record for most games scoring at least 50 points (10) in 1970

Holds NCAA single-game record for most free throws made (30 of 31) against Oregon State on Dec. 22, 1969

Led the NCAA Division I in scoring with 43.8 ppg (1968); 44.2 (1969) and 44.5 ppg (1970)

The 44.5 ppg average ranks best in NCAA history; 44.2 ppg (fourth); 43.8 ppg (fifth)

Averaged 43.6 ppg on the LSU freshman team (1967)

Scored a career-high 69 points vs. Alabama (Feb. 7, 1970); 66 vs. Tulane (Feb. 10, 1969); 64 vs. Kentucky (Feb. 21, 1970); 61 vs. Vanderbilt (Dec. 11, 1969);

Holds LSU records for most field goals in a game (26) against Vanderbilt on Jan. 29, 1969 and attempted (57) against Vanderbilt

All-Southeastern Conference (1968, 1969, 1970)

In 1988, Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer signed legislation changing the official name of LSU's home court to the

Maravich Assembly Center

In 1970, Maravich led LSU to a 20-8 record and a third place finish in the NIT

NBA

Pete played for the following teams in the NBA:

Atlanta Hawks (1970-74)

NBA New Orleans Jazz (1974-79)

NBA Utah Jazz (1979-80)

NBA Boston Celtics (1979-80)

NBA Highlights:

NBA All-Rookie Team (1971)

All-NBA First Team (1976, 1977)

All-NBA Second Team (1973, 1978)

Five-time NBA All-Star (1973, 1974, 1977-1979)

Scored 15,948 points (24.2 ppg) in 658 games

Led the NBA in scoring (31.1 ppg) in 1977, his career best

Scored a career-high 68 points (12th best in history) against the New York Knicks on Feb. 25, 1977

Led the NBA in most field goals attempted in 1974 (1,791) and 1977 (2,047)

Shares NBA single-game record for most free throws made in one quarter (14) on Nov. 28, 1973 against Buffalo and most free throws attempted in one quarter (16) on Jan. 2, 1973 against Chicago

NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (1996)

Also, Pete was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on May 5, 1987, becoming the youngest inductee, and he was named one of the fifty greatest players of the NBA in 1997.

LINKS