Bob Pettit Obituary, METAIRIE, La. — Bob Pettit, the LSU basketball icon and pioneering NBA superstar, has died at the age of 93, bringing an end to the life and career of one of the most influential players of professional basketball’s early era.
Pettit died peacefully at his home in Metairie, Louisiana, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, according to his family. His family described him as a kind, humble and gentle man and said they were deeply blessed to have had him in their lives. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Born in Baton Rouge, Pettit established himself as a standout player at LSU from 1951 through 1954. His accomplishments at the university helped cement his place among the greatest players in LSU basketball history. The school later retired his No. 50 jersey, and he was inducted into the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Pettit entered the NBA after the Milwaukee Hawks selected him second overall in the 1954 draft. He spent his entire 11-year professional career with the franchise, which later became the St. Louis Hawks, and earned an All-Star selection in every season he played.
During his NBA career, Pettit became the first recipient of the league’s Most Valuable Player award when he won the honor during the 1955-56 season. He claimed the award again in 1958-59 and also earned four All-Star Game MVP honors. In 1958, he helped lead the Hawks to the NBA championship.
Pettit retired following the 1964-65 season with career averages of 26.4 points and 16.2 rebounds per game. His accomplishments were later recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.
His death has prompted tributes throughout the basketball community, particularly in Louisiana and among LSU supporters. For generations of basketball fans, Pettit represented a significant chapter in the development of professional basketball and helped establish the power-forward position as an important force in the game.
Pettit leaves behind a lasting basketball legacy and a family, community and generations of fans mourning his passing. His contributions to LSU and the NBA will remain an enduring part of basketball history, while those who knew and admired him remember his life and remarkable career.
