“Pistol Pete” Maravich remains an iconic figure in basketball history, renowned for his dazzling style and prolific scoring. But When Did Pistol Pete Play Basketball? His professional career spanned the 1970s, a transformative decade for the NBA, and extended briefly into the early 1980s. This article delves into the timeline of his remarkable journey, from his groundbreaking college years to his impactful NBA seasons.
Pete Maravich’s basketball journey began long before his professional debut. Born on June 22, 1947, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, his early life was deeply immersed in the sport. His father, Press Maravich, a former professional basketball player himself, instilled in Pete a love for the game and served as his mentor. Maravich honed his skills relentlessly, becoming the quintessential “gym rat.” After a successful high school career in North Carolina, he enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU), marking the start of his sensational college basketball period.
Pete Maravich dribbling in college game, showcasing his ball-handling skills
College Basketball Stardom at LSU (1966-1970)
Due to NCAA regulations at the time, Pete Maravich’s first year at LSU, 1966-67, was spent with the freshman team. Even at this level, his scoring prowess was evident, as he averaged an astounding 43.6 points per game. From 1967 to 1970, Maravich played varsity basketball for LSU, and it was during these three seasons that he etched his name into the NCAA record books.
Pete Maravich’s college basketball career dates are from 1967 to 1970 for the varsity team at Louisiana State University. He led the nation in scoring each of these years, averaging 43.8, 44.2, and an incredible 44.5 points per game in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, respectively. In his senior year (1969-1970), he achieved the NCAA record for the most points in a single season with 1,381 and the highest scoring average. That same year, 1970, he was recognized as the College Player of the Year.
Maravich’s college career statistics are staggering. He holds almost every major NCAA scoring record, including career points (3,667), career scoring average (44.2 ppg), and most 50-point games (28). Remarkably, these records were achieved without the benefit of the 3-point line, which was not introduced to college basketball until 1986-87. Despite his individual brilliance, LSU’s record during his tenure was a modest 49-35, highlighting the early criticism that his personal achievements did not always translate into team success.
NBA Career with the Atlanta Hawks (1970-1974)
The Atlanta Hawks selected Pete Maravich as the third overall pick in the 1970 NBA Draft. His arrival was met with mixed reactions, partly due to his lucrative $1.9 million contract, a substantial sum at the time, which caused some resentment among veteran players. Pistol Pete’s NBA career officially began in 1970 with the Atlanta Hawks.
In his rookie season (1970-71), Maravich made an immediate impact, scoring 23.2 points per game and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team. However, despite his individual performance, the Hawks experienced a decline in team success. The pattern of Maravich’s time with Atlanta became clear: individual brilliance coupled with team mediocrity.
His performance dipped slightly in his second season (1971-72) due to injuries, but he rebounded strongly in the following years. In the 1972-73 season, Maravich averaged 26.1 points per game, earned his first All-Star selection, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team. The 1973-74 season saw him reach his highest scoring average with the Hawks, at 27.7 points per game, second in the league. He played in his second NBA All-Star Game that season. Pete Maravich played for the Atlanta Hawks from 1970 to 1974. While he achieved individual accolades, the Hawks never advanced far in the playoffs during his time there.
New Orleans Jazz Era: Peak NBA Performance (1974-1979)
In 1974, the expansion New Orleans Jazz made a significant move to acquire Pete Maravich, bringing the Louisiana State legend back to the state. The Jazz traded a substantial package of players and draft picks to bring “Pistol Pete” to New Orleans for their inaugural 1974-75 season. Pete Maravich joined the New Orleans Jazz in 1974 and played with them until 1979.
His first season with the Jazz (1974-75) was statistically his lowest scoring NBA season at 21.5 ppg, although he contributed in other areas with career highs in rebounds and steals. However, the following seasons marked the peak of Maravich’s professional career. By the 1975-76 season, he was averaging 25.9 points per game and earned his first All-NBA First Team selection.
The 1976-77 season was arguably Maravich’s finest. He led the NBA in scoring with a career-best 31.1 points per game, scoring 68 points in a memorable game against the New York Knicks on February 25, 1977. He earned his second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection and returned to the NBA All-Star Game. Despite his scoring dominance and individual recognition, team success remained elusive for the Jazz.
Injuries began to plague Maravich in the later part of his Jazz tenure. He missed a significant portion of the 1977-78 and 1978-79 seasons due to knee problems. His time with the New Orleans Jazz concluded in 1979, as the franchise prepared to move to Utah.
Final Season with the Boston Celtics and Retirement (1979-1980)
As the Jazz relocated to Utah for the 1979-80 season, Pete Maravich’s role with the team diminished. He was eventually waived by Utah in January 1980. Shortly after, he was signed by the Boston Celtics, a team contending for the championship led by rookie Larry Bird. Pete Maravich played his final NBA season with the Boston Celtics in 1979-1980.
Joining the Celtics provided Maravich with a new experience – playing for a winning team and accepting a role as a part-time contributor. He averaged 11.5 points in 26 games for Boston and even had moments of brilliance. In this final season, the NBA introduced the 3-point shot, and Maravich, known for his long-range shooting, finally had the opportunity to utilize it, going 10-for-15 from beyond the arc. The Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the 1980 playoffs, marking Maravich’s deepest playoff run in his career.
After the 1979-80 season, facing persistent knee issues, Pete Maravich retired from professional basketball. His NBA playing career officially ended in 1980.
Legacy and Hall of Fame
Despite the lack of significant team success during his prime, Pete Maravich’s impact on basketball is undeniable. He finished his 10-year NBA career with a scoring average of over 24 points per game. His jersey number was retired by the Jazz in 1985, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1996, he was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, solidifying his place among basketball’s all-time greats.
Tragically, Pete Maravich passed away on January 5, 1988, at the age of 40, due to a heart attack. However, his legacy as “Pistol Pete,” the electrifying showman and scoring sensation, continues to inspire basketball fans and players alike. In summary, Pete Maravich played professional basketball in the NBA from 1970 to 1980, marking a decade of spectacular performances and lasting impact on the game.
