Chamberlain, Wilt (Wilton Norman Chamberlain), 1936–99, American basketball player, b. 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). The most dominant player of his era, he played with the Philadelphia Warriors and 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Famed for his long-standing rivalry with Boston's Bill Russell, Chamberlain set many records, including 100 points scored in a game (1962, against the New York Knicks) and 23,924 career rebounds; his records for most points (31,419) and highest career average (30.1) have since been broken. His controversial autobiography, View from Above (1991), focuses on the lifestyle of a professional athlete.
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