Usually, this would be an entry for Jersey Sunday. But today is an exception because we are celebrating this person's birthday. On hand is a Reebok Hardwood Classics Atlanta Hawks "Pistol" Pete Maravich road jersey from his sophomore season in the NBA. His unique playmaking abilities blended with his creative scoring touch made him one of the most entertaining basketball players ever to hit the hardwood.
I won this online not too long ago and I was not hesitant at all to place my bid. I have been on the hunt for one of these uniforms for a long time since reading his biography; Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich. This is the road blue style with single layer tackle twill numbers and letters. A very interesting addition was the "Pistol" nickname added to the back as opposed to the conventional ID on the rest of the league's team uniforms.
Born on 22 June 1947 in Aliquippa, PA, Peter Press Maravich was destined to be a basketball player. He attended Louisiana State University where, in 3 seasons between 1967-1970, he became the all time leading scorer for LSU and the NCAA earning the Naismith College Player of the Year [1970]. His collegiate career average of 44.2 points per game still stands as the greatest average of all time - and this is well before the shot clock and 3-point line were introduced in college competition.
In the 1970 NBA Draft, Pete Maravich was selected with the 3rd overall pick for the Atlanta Hawks. In his rookie season, he averaged 23.2 PPG and recieved a spot on the All-Rookie Team as well as a playoff spot. His second season, however, did not go as well as his first with an average of 19.3 PPG. But once again, he helped the team to a playoff run and averaged 27 PPG in the postseason.
In his third season in the league, he averaged 26.1 PPG and passed the 20,000 point mark while making his first appearance to the All-Star Game. In the 1973-74 season, he averaged his career best in PPG in Atlanta with 27.7, second best at the time, and another appearance at the All-Star Game before shipping off to an expansion team; the New Orleans Jazz.
His five and a half season stint with the New Orleans Jazz would be his most memorable. He'd make it to the All-NBA First Team in 1976 and average a career best 31.1 PPG in the 1976-77 season. In a game against the New York Knicks that season, he dropped a career-high 68 points - one of the few players at the time to do so. Furthermore, he made three appearances at the All-Star Game between 1977 to 1979.
Pete Maravich along with the franchise moved to the state of Utah where injuries would have him sidelined or limit his playing abilities. Midway through his final season in the league, he was traded to the Boston Celtics where he would play alongside future superstar Larry Bird. Playing the sixth man role, he averaged a career-low 13 PPG and would finally retire at the end of the season after a ten year run in the NBA.
On 5 January 1988, at the age of 40, "Pistol" Pete Maravich passed away during a pickup game at a local church from heart complications. His death sent shockwaves through the basketball world, especially through the state of Louisiana where he had set his mark on the sport. He was posthumously honoured by the NBA when he was named to the 50th Anniversary Team in 1999. In 2005, he was named the greatest college player of all time by ESPNU.
Career Highlights and Awards:
Naismith College Player of the Year [1970]
NBA All-Rookie Team [1971]
5x NBA All-Star 1973-74, 1977-79]
2x All-NBA First Team 1976, 1977]
NBA 50th Ann'y Team [1999]
2× USBWA Player of the Year [1969–70]
AP College Player of the Year [70]
3× SEC Player of the Year [1968–70]
3× Consensus NCAA All-American First Team [1968–70]
In 1970, his #23 was retired by the LSU basketball team. In 1985, his jersey #7 was retired by Utah Jazz and later by the New Orleans Hornets in 2005. Additionally, in 1988, the gymnasium of his alma mater was renamed the Pete Maravich Assembly Center to pay tribute to one of their greatest athletes.
"There is nothing wrong with dedication and goals, but if you focus on yourself, all the lights fade away and you become a fleeting moment in life." - "Pistol" Pete Maravich
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