Everything to know about Pete Maravich, college basketball's all-time leading scorer
The NCAA's all-time leading scorer, "Pistol" Pete Maravich of LSU, was a shooting, dribbling and passing whiz who dominated the college game during his three seasons in Baton Rouge.
The son of Tigers coach Press Maravich averaged an astounding 44.2 points per game for his career, finishing with an NCAA record 3,667 – a total that Iowa women's star Caitlin Clark has a chance to surpass this season.
Unlike Clark, Maravich did not have the advantage of the 3-point shot, which was universally implemented by the NCAA for the 1987 season. He also accumulated his record-setting point total in just three seasons of college basketball.
Here's a closer look at the man they called the "Pistol."
When did Pete Maravich play in college?
Born June 22, 1947 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, Pete Maravich began playing varsity basketball at Louisiana State University in the 1967-68 season. At that time, freshmen were not allowed to suit up with the varsity team so he had to wait until his sophomore season to play for his father, Press.
How many points per game did Maravich average at LSU?
Maravich was the Tigers' best player from the moment he first stepped onto the court. As a point guard, he had the ball in his hands almost all the time. But unlike most point guards, his mentality was shoot first, pass second.
Sophomore (1967-68): 43.8 points per game
Junior (1968-69): 44.2 points per game
Senior (1969-70): 44.5 points per game
Maravich's three seasons are the three highest scoring averages in NCAA history. (Furman's Frank Selvy ranks fourth at 41.7 in 1953-54.)
Did Pete Maravich play in the NBA?
Maravich was selected third overall in the 1970 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks. (The Detroit Pistons took St. Bonaventure center Bob Lanier first and the San Diego (later Houston) Rockets took Michigan forward Rudy Tomjanovich second.)
Maravich played four seasons with Atlanta before being traded to the New Orleans (later Utah) Jazz in 1974. He went on to play six seasons with the Jazz – winning the NBA scoring title in 1976-77 – and part of one season with the Boston Celtics before retiring in 1980.
In all, Maravich averaged 24.2 points over 10 NBA seasons. He was a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA first team performer.
Why is Pete Maravich famous?
Although he was a prolific scorer, both in college and the NBA, Maravich's greatest talent was his ball-handling ability. He was legendary for his between-the-legs dribbling and behind-the-back passes that had to be seen to be believed. (And even then, required a second or third look.)
He displayed some of his amazing skill in an iconic video with Celtics coach Red Auerbach.
Is Pete Maravich in the Hall of Fame?
Pete Maravich was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Is Pete Maravich still alive?
Maravich died suddenly at the age of 40 as a result of an undetected heart defect while playing a pick-up basketball game in Pasadena, California.