Chamberlain << CHAYM buhr lihn >>, Wilt (1936-1999), was one of the greatest scorers in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. During his 14-year NBA career, he scored 31,419 points. Chamberlain, a center, set an NBA record for career rebounds with 23,924. He stood 7 feet 1 inch (216 centimeters) tall.
Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born on Aug. 21, 1936, in Philadelphia. He played for the University of Kansas before joining the NBA’s Philadelphia (now Golden State) Warriors in 1959. He led the NBA in scoring during his first seven seasons. In the 1961-1962 season, he set league records for average points per game (50.4) and most points in regular-season play (4,029). Chamberlain also set a league record for most points in a single game (100) against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962. In 1965, the Warriors traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers. In 1966-1967, he helped lead the 76ers to the NBA title. In 1968, Philadelphia traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers. He helped lead the Lakers to the NBA title in 1972. Chamberlain coached the San Diego Conquistadors of the American Basketball Association (ABA) during the 1973-1974 season. He died on Oct. 12, 1999.
