Wilt Chamberlain: Black History Month Tribute

When it comes to black athletes in Philadelphia's history, there is probably no bigger name than Wilt Chamberlain. To many, Chamberlain is the greatest player in the history of basketball, and it is easy to understand the argument.

Few athletes changed the game they play like Chamberlain did. How many players played where the rules were changed because of their dominance? Name one besides Chamberlain and you win a prize.

Truth is, no athlete represents Philadelphia like Chamberlain. As member of the Overbrook High School basketball team, Chamberlain averaged 31 points per game in his 1953 season. Leading his team to the city title against West Catholic, Chamberlain saw triple coverage. Triple! Despite West Catholic's best defensive efforts, the young Chamberlain scored 29 points. However, West Catholic did win the game 54-42.

Chamberlain headed off to play his college ball at Kansas, located in a town that was still heavily segregated. He ignored the segregation in the town of Lawrence and roamed about town any time and any where he wished. Nobody bothered him. Chamberlain had taken one of the first steps to equality in Lawrence, as black people were treated more fairly from then on.

As a student, Chamberlain started his college basketball career on the Kansas freshman team. He also pledged to Kappa Alpha Psi and was selected to be pledge class president. In 1956, he made his varsity debut in grand fashion with 52 points and 31 rebounds in an 87-69 win over Northwestern. Both his point total and his rebound total broke NCAA records. It was a sign of things to come.

But Chamberlain was more than just a phenomenal basketball player; he was an outstanding athlete, as evidenced by his track and field career. He ran a 10.9 100-yard dash, threw a shot put 56 feet, triple jumped more than 50 feet, and won the high jump three times in Big Eight championship meets.

When his stellar college basketball career ended, Chamberlain was signed by the Harlem Globetrotters to start his professional career. The Globetrotters did not follow the NBA rules, which would not allow a college player to play professionally unless they finished their studies in college (how the times have changed). Chamberlain signed with the Globetrotters after a frustrating junior season.

Chamberlain's #13 was retired by the Globetrotters in 2000.

Not much needs to be said about his NBA career. Everybody knows about it. He started out with the Philadelphia Warriors, who moved to San Francisco during his tenure. It was with the Warriors that Chamberlain scored 100 points against the New York Knicks in Hershey Stadium. The sad thing is there is no video of the record-breaking game, but there is one photo that is immortalized because of it.


Chamberlain also spent time with the Sixers, Lakers, and the San Diego Conquistadors before ultimately calling it a career. Although Chamberlain did not achieve as much team success as rival Bill Russell did with the Celtics, Chamberlain left an impact on the game that will never be forgotten.

Feel free to share your thoughts on Chamberlain in the comments.