Pete Maravich

American basketball player who holds NCAA Division I scoring record with 3,667 points and averaged 44.2 points per game during college career at LSU

Peter Press Maravich was born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania in 1947, the son of LSU head coach Press Maravich. He attended Louisiana State University and produced the most statistically extraordinary career in college basketball history. He scored 3,667 points across three varsity seasons — averaging 44.2 points per game — the all-time NCAA scoring record that still stands after more than 50 years. His records were achieved without the three-point line, without the shot clock and in an era of fewer games than modern players enjoy. In his junior season of 1969-70 he averaged 44.5 points per game. He was a three-time consensus All-American and three-time national player of the year. His combination of ball-handling, passing and scoring creativity was so far ahead of his era that he was essentially playing a different game from his contemporaries. The NBA introduced the 24-second shot clock and modern pacing in part because of how Maravich had demonstrated what individual skill could produce. Atlanta Hawks selected him third overall in the 1970 NBA Draft. His 44.2 career average — with its asterisks and era caveats — remains the single most impressive statistical achievement in the history of college basketball.

Maravich was known for his incredible ball-handling skills, no-look passes, and creative offensive flair that was decades ahead of his time. He possessed exceptional shooting range and court vision, often making passes that seemed impossible while maintaining excellent scoring ability from anywhere on the court. His style combined fundamental basketball skills with showmanship and innovation that captivated audiences.

Maravich transformed basketball from a traditional, conservative game into a more creative and entertaining spectacle that influenced generations of players. His innovative style and flair helped popularize basketball and demonstrated that fundamental skills could be combined with creativity and showmanship.

• NCAA scoring record (3,667 points)
• Player of Year 3x
• All-American 3x
• College Player of the Century (NABC)