Hall of Fame Mourns Bob Pettit, NBA's First-Ever MVP, Following His Death at 93

The basketball world lost one of its true greats this week. Bob Pettit, an NBA legend whose impact on the game is hard to overstate, passed away peacefully at his home on September 23rd. He was 93. His family has chosen to keep things private and hasn't shared details about the cause of death.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, where Pettit has had a place since 1971, was among those who paused to honor his memory and everything he gave to the sport.

"The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame mourns the passing of Bob Pettit, a sleek, skilled big man who revolutionized the forward position during his career," the statement reads on X.

"The 11-time NBA All-Star and 2-time MVP retired as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and left an enduring legacy," the statement continues. "He led the St. Louis Hawks to the 1958 NBA championship over the Boston Celtics. The Basketball Hall of Fame salutes this true giant of the game."

Pettit was a true legend in the game. Throughout his 11-year career, Bob was one of the best, if not the best, players in the league. In the 1955-56 season, Pettit won the first-ever NBA MVP award. He won a total of two in his career, the second award coming in the 1958-59 season.

What makes Pettit's story even more fascinating is how his career ended. He walked away from the game at just 32, not because he had fallen off, but because the NBA simply didn't pay the way it does today. A bank in Louisiana came calling with a financial opportunity that made far more sense for him and his family, and Bob took it. That was just the reality of the era.

There was also a personal side to it. Even at the peak of his powers, Pettit could feel his body starting to shift, subtle as it may have been, and he made the conscious choice not to stick around long enough to watch himself decline. That kind of self-awareness takes a lot of courage, especially when you're still one of the best in the game.

It does make you wonder, though. If today's contracts existed back then, would Bob Pettit have ever left? Almost certainly not. And if he had played well into his mid-to-late thirties, the numbers and accolades he already stacked up would look even more remarkable than they already do. His resume is impressive as it stands, but under modern conditions, it could've been something truly historic.

NBA Pays Tribute to Bob Pettit

Given the impact Bob Pettit has made in the NBA, it wouldn't be right if the league itself didn't pay its respects to the first-ever MVP. The NBA's official X account posted a heartwarming message for the 11-time All-Star.

"The NBA family mourns the passing of Naismith Hall of Famer Bob Pettit, a two-time NBA MVP and a member of all four NBA Anniversary Teams," the message reads.

"He raised the bar for excellence as the league’s first MVP, first 20,000-point scorer, and first four-time All-Star Game MVP," the message continues. "His iconic 50-point performance in Game 6 of the 1958 NBA Finals clinched the championship for the St. Louis Hawks. Beyond those accomplishments, Bob helped transform the power forward position. Our thoughts are with Bob’s family and friends and the entire Hawks organization."

Pettit's achievements alone make him a true Hawks legend. We wouldn't be surprised if the Atlanta Hawks pay tribute to Pettit either when the preseason begins or during the 2026-27 regular season.