Bob Pettit, the legendary LSU basketball player who became one of the pioneering superstars of the NBA, has died at the age of 93.
Louisiana State University announced his death on September 24, 2026, saying Pettit died the previous day. His family later confirmed that he died peacefully at his home in Metairie, Louisiana.
The death marks the passing of one of the most influential players from the early years of professional basketball and one of the greatest athletes produced by LSU.
Bob Pettit Dies at 93
Pettit died on Wednesday, September 23, at his home in Metairie. He was 93.
His family described him as an amazing father and a kind, humble and gentle person. No specific medical cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
Pettit’s death was announced by LSU, his alma mater, and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame also confirmed his passing.
Funeral and memorial arrangements were pending at the time of the announcement.
A Baton Rouge Basketball Star
Robert Lee Pettit Jr. was born December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
His path to basketball stardom was not immediate. Pettit struggled to make the varsity team at Baton Rouge High School before eventually developing into a standout player.
As a senior, he led Baton Rouge High to a state championship and attracted scholarship offers from more than a dozen universities.
He ultimately remained in his hometown and chose LSU.
Bob Pettit at LSU
Pettit became the centerpiece of LSU basketball during the early 1950s.
He was a three-time first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection and led the SEC in scoring during each of his three varsity seasons.
His scoring averages were 25.5 points per game as a sophomore, 24.9 as a junior and 31.4 as a senior.
He also averaged 17.3 rebounds during his senior season.
Pettit helped LSU win consecutive SEC championships in 1953 and 1954 and led the Tigers to the program’s first NCAA Final Four appearance in 1953.
LSU retired his No. 50 jersey in 1954, making it the first LSU athletic number retired in any sport.
Entering the NBA
The Milwaukee Hawks selected Pettit with the second overall pick in the 1954 NBA Draft.
He immediately established himself as one of the league’s leading young players, winning NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 1955.
The Hawks moved from Milwaukee to St. Louis after Pettit’s rookie season, and he remained with the franchise throughout his entire 11-year NBA career.
Pettit became the NBA’s first Most Valuable Player when he won the award in the 1955-56 season. He captured a second MVP award in 1959.
An 11-Time NBA All-Star
Pettit was selected to the NBA All-Star Game in every one of his 11 seasons.
He was also named All-Star Game MVP four times, a record later matched by Kobe Bryant.
During his career, Pettit became known for his scoring, rebounding, physical strength and ability to play facing the basket at a time when traditional big-man play was largely centered around the low post.
He finished his NBA career with averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game.
1958 NBA Championship
The defining team achievement of Pettit’s professional career came in 1958.
The St. Louis Hawks defeated the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals to win the championship.
Pettit scored 50 points in the decisive Game 6, leading the Hawks to a 110-109 victory and securing the franchise’s championship.
The Hawks reached the NBA Finals four times during Pettit’s career, facing the Celtics in each series.
Career Records and Hall of Fame
Pettit retired following the 1964-65 season with 20,880 points and 12,849 rebounds.
At the time of his retirement, he was the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970 and later became part of the NBA’s anniversary teams recognizing the league’s greatest players.
He was named to the NBA’s 25th, 35th, 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
Pettit was also inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Life After Basketball
After retiring from professional basketball, Pettit returned to Louisiana and worked in banking and financial consulting.
He maintained strong connections with LSU and remained a familiar figure around Louisiana basketball.
A bronze statue honoring Pettit stands outside LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, while Bob Pettit Boulevard in LSU’s Tigerland also carries his name.
His No. 50 remains retired by LSU, while the Hawks retired his No. 9.
Bob Pettit’s Family and Final Years
Pettit’s family confirmed that he died peacefully at his Metairie home.
His family remembered him not only for his basketball achievements but also for his character and role as a father.
Specific details about his immediate family members and private funeral arrangements were not all released publicly with the initial death announcement.
Funeral arrangements were pending.
Bob Pettit’s Legacy
Pettit’s career connected several important eras of basketball.
He helped establish LSU as a significant college basketball program, became the NBA’s first MVP and helped define the power-forward position during the league’s formative years.
His career also placed him among the early generation of NBA stars whose accomplishments helped establish professional basketball as a major American sport.
For LSU, his legacy extends beyond statistics and championships. His retired jersey, statue and continued recognition on campus reflect the importance of his contribution to the university’s basketball history.
Bob Pettit Obituary Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Lee Pettit Jr. |
| Known as | Bob Pettit |
| Age | 93 |
| Born | December 12, 1932 |
| Birthplace | Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Died | September 23, 2026 |
| Place of death | Metairie, Louisiana |
| Age at death | 93 |
| Cause of death | Not publicly disclosed |
| College | Louisiana State University |
| LSU career | 1951–1954 |
| NBA team | Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks |
| NBA career | 1954–1965 |
| NBA MVP awards | 2 |
| NBA All-Star selections | 11 |
| All-Star Game MVP awards | 4 |
| NBA championship | 1958 |
| Career points | 20,880 |
| Career rebounds | 12,849 |
| Hall of Fame | Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame |
| LSU jersey | No. 50 retired |
| NBA jersey | No. 9 retired by the Hawks |
| Funeral arrangements | Pending at initial announcement |
Remembering Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit leaves behind a basketball legacy that stretches from Baton Rouge to the NBA’s earliest years of national prominence.
He was an LSU superstar, a two-time NBA MVP, an NBA champion, an 11-time All-Star and a Basketball Hall of Famer.
For generations of LSU supporters, Pettit represented an important part of the university’s basketball history. For the NBA, his career helped establish the standards of the modern frontcourt player.
His death at 93 brings to a close the life of one of the most recognizable figures from the league’s pioneering generation.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on information available at the time of publication. The cause of Bob Pettit’s death had not been publicly disclosed, and funeral or memorial arrangements may be updated by the family. Details should be updated if additional information is formally released.