Pistol Pete Maravich, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, passed away at the young age of 40 due to a heart condition.
Pete Maravich, known for his incredible scoring ability and showmanship, had a storied career in both college and the NBA. At Louisiana State University (LSU), he set the NCAA Division I scoring record, which still stands today. After college, he was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1970 NBA Draft.
Maravich’s NBA career spanned 10 seasons, during which he played for the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans/Utah Jazz, and the Boston Celtics. He was a five-time NBA All-Star and led the league in scoring during the 1976-77 season. His flashy playing style and scoring prowess earned him the nickname “Pistol Pete.”
Unfortunately, Maravich’s career was plagued by injuries, and he retired from professional basketball in 1980. After his retirement, he focused on personal interests and family life. However, his life was tragically cut short on January 5, 1988, when he collapsed during a pickup basketball game in Pasadena, California. It was later discovered that Maravich had a rare congenital heart defect; he had been born without a left coronary artery, which ultimately led to his untimely death.
Maravich’s legacy lives on through his contributions to the game of basketball. He was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. His influence is still felt today, as many players cite him as an inspiration for their own careers.
