Today's Birthdays: August 21

1936–1999, American basketball player, born in Philadelphia.

At the Univ. of Kansas he was a two-time All-American center. During 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association, "Wilt the Stilt" (over 7 ft 1 in./216 cm) led the league in scoring seven consecutive seasons (1959-65), was the leader in field goal percentage 9 times, the top rebounder 11 times, and the most valuable player 4 years (1960, 1966-68). He played with the Philadelphia Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Famed for his long-standing rivalry with Boston's Bill Russell, his most memorable records are the 100 points he scored in a 1962 game against the New York Knicks and his career mark of 23,924 rebounds. His controversial autobiography, View from Above (1991), focuses on life as a professional athlete.

Bibliography:

Wilt Chamberlain

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