Wilt Chamberlain retired in 1973, at the end of the '72-'73 season, to pursue other interests. As a rookie, Chamberlain averaged 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain will always be remembered My grandfather told me a story about meeting Wilt once. These infections may be cured by taking antibiotics, such as minocycline, doxycycline or clarithromycin, for several weeks or months. Mr. Goldberg's telephone number is 310-823-9606. Success in Every Sport He TriedWilton Norman Chamberlain was born in Philadelphia in 1936. For 15 seasons with the Philadelphia-San Francisco Warriors (1959-1965), Philadelphia 76ers (1965-1968) and Los Angeles Lakers (1968-1973), he set numerous official NBA all time records. His body was cremated, so we will never know for sure how he died. He finished his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. More than 30 points per game. He heard I was the best volleyball player," Selznick told Volleyball Magazine before he died in 2012. He also was one of the most versatile big men ever, leading the league in assists with 702 in 1967-68. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. In 1978, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and was selected to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. The 63-year-old Chamberlain was reported to have died of heart damage called myocarditis, but how could arguably the worlds greatest and fittest athlete die of heart damage? Disgusted by being smothered by the zone defenses, Chamberlain left Kansas the next year and joined the Globetrotters. He was being treated by his doctor for a cardiac condition and it is believed that this is what caused his death. Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors holds a sign reading "100" in the dressing room in Hershey, Pa., after he scored 100 points in 1962. On Wednesday, October 6, Wilt underwent the first stage of the tooth-implant procedure in which a metal fixture is inserted into the jawbone, upper or lower. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. She wrapped her arms around Wilt to comfort him, braced for him to brush her off, but this time he did not, she remarked. Chamberlain had a long-standing (but good-natured) rivalry with Boston Celtic Bill Russell, and many credit the increase in the popularity of professional basketball to the excitement generated around games featuring these two players. He spent his last year in basketball in a coaching position, due to a contractual issue. "He had deteriorated relatively quickly over the last month or so.". If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Two decades later, he sparked whispers in NBA circles when rumors spread that he might try a comeback at age 56. . Wilt's Lakers highlights: https://t.co/Vl6UlUWZba pic.twitter.com/OCrrKEMsId. Wilt enjoyed all the attention, but deep down he would liked to have been Jerry West -- Jerry was a great star too, but in contrast to him an everyman. Right after her death, Wilt, who was to live little more than two more years himself, sent this telegram: To the Arizin family: My sincerest condolences. He was 611 when he entered Philadelphias Overbrook High School, and led them to three public school championships and two all-city titles. They included Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson. Friends and former teammates announced on Tuesday that Chamberlain, 63, had passed away. Wilt Chamberlain is undeniably one of the all-time greats in the history of basketball. He scored 100 points in a single game on March 2, 1962 while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors. Russell vs. Chamberlain was everyones dream matchup. Wilt Chamberlain won two championships in his 14 year NBA career. also for Chamberlain doctors had been draining his legs of fluid that had accumulated because of his heart problem. He was a pure athlete.". I am too young to have any real memory of Wilt, so anytime I thought of the guy that scored 100 points in a game, my second thought was that he was also the same dude who fucked with my grandpa while he was trying to take a shit. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { Try again later. Wilt Chamberlain, in full Wilton Norman Chamberlain, bynames Wilt the Stilt and the Big Dipper, (born August 21, 1936, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.died October 12, 1999, Los Angeles, California), professional basketball player, considered to be one of the greatest offensive players in the history of the game. Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain, one of the greatest centers to ever play the game, has died at the age of 63, his friends and former teammates said on Tuesday. Robert Allen Cherry said that Chamberlain Wilt almost died of pneumonia as a boy and missed a year of school in his biography of Chamberlain Wilt, Bigger Than Life, published in 2004. Chamberlain died of heart failure on October 12, 1999, at his Los Angeles home. Wilt Chamberlain is shown as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters in this 1959 photo. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Chamberlain, who never fouled out in a 1,205 regular-season and playoff games, holds the record for career rebounding with 23,924. Wilt's sister Barbara had been with him more than usual during these last difficult weeks. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. "We knew it had been a little trouble for him, but we weren't aware that it could be serious. It's undeniable that Wilt Chamberlain was a walking stat padder during his playing days. Russell won 11 titles, while he won two. Wilt Chamberlain has 2 NBA championship rings. Chamberlain's body was found by authorities who were called to his Bel-Air home shortly after noon PDT, said John Black, a Los Angeles Lakers spokesman. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Colton Jones is a regular contributor to AmicoHoops and SI.com. Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia Warriors holds a sign reading "100" in the dressing room in Hershey, Pa., after he scored 100 points in 1962. 20,000 women divided across 40 years neatly comes to 500 women a year, or according to The Atlantic, 1.4 women a day. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Barbara and her husband, Elzie Lewis, left. Chamberlain, who began his professional career with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1958, was one of only two men to win the MVP and rookie of the year awards in the same season (1959-60). Chamberlain, who died in 1999, played in the NBA from 1959 to 1973. His sister Selena had come from New Jersey to spell Barbara, but Selena had returned to the East Coast by October 9, Barbara went over to Wilt's home that Saturday and cooked him chicken and dumplings, his favorite meal, the dish his mother used to prepare for him at their West Philadelphia home so many years before. Friends and fans mourn the loss of legendary basketball center Wilt Chamberlain, the victim of an apparent heart attack. It was not clear whether other medical problems could have contributed to the heart ailment. Wilt promised to stay in touch with Stephanie on a regular basis. display: none; He shot a miserable 46.5 percent from the line for his career. Known as "Wilt the Stilt" and "The Big Dipper," Chamberlain played 14 NBA seasons, with the Philadelphia (later San Francisco) Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed He gave away tons of money to charities through the years, and left a considerable amount to charities in his will. The investigation revealed Mr. Chamberlain apparently died of natural causes. He played 12 seasons, averaged 17 ppg as a rookie and more than 20 ppg in each of his other 11 seasons. Even after his Hall of Fame basketball career ended, he turned to volleyball and marathons. Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born Aug. 21, 1936, and grew up one of nine children in West Philadelphia. While Wilt was, in Lynda huey's words, "a world-class complainer," he didn't normally complain about his health---in fact, he wouldn't even let certain people broach the subject to him, the category into which Huey acknowledged she fell. Invalid memorial. The gardener called 911 and then phoned Sy Goldberg, who happened to be driving nearby in his car. ", Wilt Chamberlain is shown as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters in this 1959 photo. display: none; She left him saying, "Feel better, Wiltie.". Chamberlain is shown at the University of Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse after his jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony on January 17, 1998. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. I never heard him complain about pain ever," she said during a news conference. Kind of sad when you look at it that way, and in the end he died alone. Gabriella Brooks and Liam Hemsworth Were Spotted Together Following Miley Cyrus Release Of A Song About Him. Failed to delete memorial. According to West, he had some heart difficulties.. Along with his 31,419 points, Chamberlain was the NBA's all-time top rebounder and a four-time MVP during a 14-year career. When Wilt finally got around to reading it, he immediately called the then-14-year-old Stephanie in suburban Philadelphia, and Wilt and the young girl quickly established an unusual rapport. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Here is all you want to know, and more! . Usually, it was Clyde who was the aggressor. Huey, his friend, said that Chamberlain's private demeanor differed considerably from the public perception of him. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Corrections? He looked worse than I have ever seen him.". He scored 31 points per contest on average in his first season in 1953. He achieved a plethora of accolades on the hardwood floor and apparently slept with many women. Chamberlain, an overpowering, 7-foot-1 center whose dominance changed the game of basketball, died Tuesday in his Bel-Air home at age 63. Gagal jantung Wilt Chamberlain/Penyebab kematian Chamberlain died of heart failure on October 12, 1999, at his Los Angeles home. Chamberlain owns the top four single-season scoring averages in league history, including his NBA-record 50.4 points per game mark in 196162 (the other three coming, in descending order, during the 196263 [44.8 points per game], 196061 [38.3], and 195960 [37.6] seasons). Wilton Norman Chamberlain (Wilt the Stilt, The Big Dipper, Dippy, Dip, The Load, Big Musty, The Record Book, Hook and Ladder, Wiltie, Whip, Whipper) Position: Center Shoots: Right More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 13x All Star 7x Scoring Champ 11x TRB Champ 1967-68 AST Champ 2x NBA Champ 10x All-NBA 1959-60 AS MVP 4x MVP After building a schoolyard legend at Overbrook High School, he attended the basketball powerhouse University of Kansas. A possible explanation would be venereal diseases, which are a common cause of myocarditis ( Case Rep Infect Dis, 2015; 2015: 385126). There was never any athlete as good as number 13. Like Wilt, he was a terrific scoring center and former All-American at KU, but unlike Wilt, he played basketball as if it were a form of rugby. That bit of his sister comforting Wilt while they watched a movie hit me hard. Another 22.9 rebounds per game. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Wilt Chamberlain (6886)? In the win, the big man scored a record-setting 100 points and 25 rebounds. What Happened To The Rest Of Avatar Team, My Hero Academia Season 6: Time, Episodes And All. A team could forgo its first round pick and take any player within 50 miles of its location. "These two college-trained black men of international fame and immense personal wealth do their best to reinforce the stereotype," Ashe wrote. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Norfolk Southern train derails in Springfield, Ohio, At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Promising drug could provide alternative to statins, new study finds, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days. How many championship rings does Wilt Chamberlain have? The high point of his season was his 74-point performance versus Roxborough High School. The 63-year-old Chamberlain, who helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a National Basketball Assn. A whopping 100 points in a single game against the New York Knicks. On March 2, 1962, in one of the most spectacular performances ever in any sport, he scored a record 100 points in a game against the New York Knicks at Hershey, Pa. In 1978, Chamberlain was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. championship in the 1971-72 season, apparently died of a heart attack. The fact that he lost 50 pounds and was unable to go anywhere in the last months of his life points to a diagnosis of heart failure, caused by cardiomyopathy (heart muscle damage), possibly caused by an infection such as chlamydia or mycoplasma. A doctor would have had to order special cultures and sometimes even these cultures fail to grow them. His father was a handyman who worked odd jobs for $60 a week, and his mother was a domestic worker. He could easily have acquired these infections from making love to considerably fewer than the 20,000 women that he claimed. Many people who knew him best said it was related to that bloodstream infection. Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born on Aug. 21, 1936, in Philadelphia. His 100 points against the New York Knicks in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on March 2, 1962, still stands as professional basketballs top single-game feat. He was the youngest of the four, and his younger sister Barbara was his closest relative. . To use this feature, use a newer browser. How did Wilt Chamberlains get his nickname? N interestingly tmac said kobe used to say he wanted to die young, From everything I've read here, he's such a wonderful soul . "LIKE" US HERE. For Release 9:10 am PST Thanks for your help! Memorial ID. He is a Final Year Engineering student. Learn more about merges. On the night of the fracas, Lovellette was in his 11th and final NBA season. "She must have thought I was such a jerk, not answering a little girl's request," Wilt said "I had to call her up and let her know what happened.". Both his parents were no bigger than 5-9, but as a young boy he began a growth spurt which would eventually stop when . Wilt Chamberlain was one of nine children born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia. He was also very giving of his time, not only while still an active player, but also throughout his retirement. He bench pressed 500 pounds, was timed at 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash and had an incredible vertical jump of 48 inches. The Great LoverLong after his athletic career ended, Chamberlain made news with his claim that he had had sex with 20,000 women. I would have loved to see your body of work in a modern day NBA. He seemed genuinely surprised at how much he was loved by the rabid Kansas fans, especially after staying away for 40 years. Try again later. "He had congestive heart failure," Goldberg said the day after Chamberlain died at age 63. In a 1992 autobiography, he estimated that he had made love to 20,000 women. Only weeks before he died, Wilt had undergone dental surgery to remove teeth knocked aside during his basketball career, his sister, Barbara Lewis, said in an ESPN The Magazine story. Chamberlain was found dead in his bed at his Bel-Air home at about 12:30 p.m. PT, police said. In 1967-68, he led the NBA in assists. Know All About His Life! A subreddit dedicated to NBA news and discussion. Alternate titles: Wilt the Stilt, Wilton Norman Chamberlain, the Big Dipper. More than 900 double-doubles. The Celtics prevailed at the Boston Garden with Chamberlains 30 points and 28 rebounds. Try again later. Chamberlain spent the night before the game in New York, partying all night with a woman. After leading Overbrook to three public school championships and two all-city titles, Chamberlain became one of the most recruited players ever with over 200 colleges interested. Despite his retirement, Chamberlain remained a highly sought after player, with multiple teams trying their hardest to lure the legendary center player out of . Norfolk Southern train derails in Springfield, Ohio, At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Promising drug could provide alternative to statins, new study finds, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days. Wilt Chamberlain, in full Wilton Norman Chamberlain, bynames Wilt the Stilt and the Big Dipper, (born August 21, 1936, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.died October 12, 1999, Los Angeles, California), professional basketball player, considered to be one of the greatest offensive players in the history of the game. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. There was an error deleting this problem. According to Wests biographies, he himself was pretty much always miserable. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. ", The crowd interrupted, yelling, "No, no," before resuming another standing ovation. In the city, even those far too young to have seen him play were stunned by the sudden loss. Advertisement Friends and fans mourn the loss of legendary basketball center Wilt Chamberlain, the victim of an apparent heart attack. The shot thrust his front teeth upward into his lower facial bones and started a bloodstream infection that was to plague him for the rest of his life. On Wednesday, October 6, Wilt underwent the first stage of the tooth-implant procedure in which a metal . "The women who I have been the most attracted to, the most in love with, I've pushed away the strongest," the lifelong bachelor said in a 1991 interview with The Associated Press. Chamberlain died a legend, holding an insane amount of records in the NBA. How Old Was Aang When He Died? Paramedics found the 7-foot-1. How Tall Is WWE Beast Cody Rhodes? Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. The man with the magnificent physique was wasting away. 1. He was released from the hospital after three days, wearing a heart monitoring device. Aw man that is just so depressing to read. Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain, one of the greatest centers to ever play the game, has died at the age of 63, his friends and former teammates said on Tuesday. Wilt was a supreme womanizer, but he had a LOT of groupies who willingly wanted to get laid by him. I'm still rooting for ya, Wilt. He went to the University of Kansas, where he: was the best basketball player in the country won the Big 8 high jump championship his junior year threw the shot put more than 47 feet was 4th in the 1956 Kansas Relays hop-step-jump triple jump. He also ran in the Honolulu marathon recently and competed in a 50-mile race in Canada. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Simply put, Wilt Chamberlain was a fascinating man worthy of further exploration. He retired in 1973 but stayed in remarkable physical shape for years afterward. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. He chose the University of Kansas and Hall of Fame coach Phog Allen. Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most dominant players in the history of basketball and the only one to score 100 points in an NBA game, died Tuesday at 63. Debunking 5 Myths About Wilt Chamberlain and 60s Basketball. This was something he had never done," Goldberg said." One of the kinder superstars in NBA history was Wilt Chamberlain. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. also for Chamberlain doctors had been draining his legs of fluid that had accumulated . Chamberlain is shown at the University of Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse after his jersey was retired during a halftime ceremony on January 17, 1998. In late September or early October 1999, Wilt underwent root-canal surgery to try to save two teeth, but the effort was unsuccessful. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. I am fascinated by all things Wilt and love to learn about his life. This breaks my heart. Wilt was a great hoot at parties, but he never really let people close to him. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. The basketball player Wilt Chamberlain died at the age of 63. Early Years. He was the only NBA player to score 4,000 points in a season, set NBA single-game records for most points (100), most consecutive field goals (18) and most rebounds (55). Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. "There isn't a center in the league who hasn't looked to him for technique and inspiration," said Robinson, 29, of Brooklyn. Chamberlain published a book titled "A View From Above" in 1991. How much was Wilt Chamberlain worth at death? But he also was the guy who swallowed his pride twice (Phila 1967, Lakers 1972) to totally change his game. Funeral services are scheduled Saturday at 10 a.m. at City of Angels Church of Religious Science. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was one of the most dominant players in the history of basketball. She lay with him in his bed, and they watched a movie- an activity they had done many times in that house over the course of 28 years. Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most dominant players in the history of basketball and the only player to score 100 points in an NBA game, died Tuesday at 63, a Los Angeles Lakers spokesman said.. True to his word, Wilt spoke to Stephanie Arizin almost every Friday, often for an hour, during the last 15 months of her life. Wilt was also the guy who telephoned Paul Arizin's daughter Stephanie in her last days when she was dying of cancer. He was also MVP in 1966 through 1968. Dazed, Clyde knelt on the storied parquet floor of Boston Garden, humbled in view of the packed house. An analyst has found that in 135 NBA games, Bill Russell averaged 8.1 blocks per game while in 112 games, Wilt averaged an incredible 8.8 blocks per game.. Wilt Chamberlain, who lived life on a scale that befitted his size, realized he had a heart problem. Raised by working-class parents, Wilt was a frail child who almost died of pneumonia. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Had he been healthy that year, he would've been the only player to be an All-Star for the entirety of his career. The legendary centre WILT Chamberlain of the NBA has passed away at the age of 63, according to his friends and former teammates. Chamberlain wrote a book, A View from Above (published in 1991) in which he claimed that he had had sex with more than 20,000 women. "Wilt. He scored 34 more. That comes to 500 women per year, or 10 different women per week in his 40-year career of sharing his sperm. How Tall Is Basketball Player Caitlin Clark? He summed up the domination and the criticism with a signature comment: "Nobody roots for Goliath.". All Rights Reserved. "So, I took him to the beach and introduced him to a new way of life. Trending News } Wilt's sister Barbara Lewis said that He had dropped about 50 pounds in the last month before his death. Chamberlain was an eloquent and outspoken star in an era when most athletes - especially black athletes - were much more circumspect. I am here for you, all of you, if ever I am needed. Wilt Chamberlain was born in West Philadelphia and died in Bel Air. In high school, he: ran the quarter mile in less than 48 seconds, to set the U.S. high school record, and ran the half mile in 1:58.3 high-jumped 66 and broad jumped 22 feet was the state of Pennsylvania shot put champion at 534, He was the most recruited high school player in the country, with more than 200 colleges interested in him. Learn more about merges. He had to become this hard guy who would brush people off just to get from point A to point B.''. "Every center out there has a piece of Wilt Chamberlain in him.". Chamberlains most memorable game was the Warriors 169-147 win over the Knicks on March 2, 1962. "He had congestive heart failure," Goldberg said the day after Chamberlain died at age 63. Hall of Fame basketball player Wilt Chamberlain was found dead at the age of 63, a Los Angeles Lakers spokesman said on October 12, 1999. Trending News He led the NBA in scoring seven straight seasons, 1960-66, and led the league in rebounding 11 of his 14 seasons. A fire department spokesman, Jim Wells, said there were signs that Chamberlain might have had a heart attack. Wilton Norman Chamberlain ( / tembrln /; August 21, 1936 - October 12, 1999) was an American professional basketball player who played at the center position. Wilt was a so so volleyballer, but when he entered professional volleyball, the attention for this sport jumped so much that Wilt was inducted into the Volleyball HOF!! "It's the loss of a great player. He owned a one-million dollar luxurious mansion in Bel-Air, a Ferrari, a Bentley and a Le Mans-style car called Searcher One valued at $750,000. In 1989, (according to Wilt) Jerry Buss tried to lure him out of retirement. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Id graduated from Northwestern in June, while Wilt had spent the previous season playing for the Harlem Globetrotters. It's like listening to a friend reminisce about Wilt. He was born in 1936, in Philadelphia. } Wilt was an immensly proud man, but shied away from visiting Kansas U because he felt he had let KU down in their NCAA finals loss (53-54; Wilt was the only KU guy who shot better than .300!!!) He went to the NBA in 1959, playing with the Philadelphia Warriors (195965; the team moved and became the San Francisco Warriors in 1962), going back to Philadelphia to play for the 76ers (196568), and finishing his career with the Los Angeles Lakers (196873). "Most likely, with a man of his age group dying suddenly, it would be from blockage in the blood vessels, causing an irregular heartbeat, regardless of his past medical history," said Dr. Michele Hamilton, associate clinical professor of cardiology at UCLA. . To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. The legend grew on March 2, 1962, during a game in Hershey, Pa. Chamberlain hit 36 baskets and 28 foul shots that night to reach triple digits. After his death, his estate was valued at $25 million. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. During his last years, he was diagnosed as having cardiomyopathy which means that his heart was too weak to pump blood through his body. . But after the dental surgery on that Wednesday, Wilt called Goldberg about 6:00 p.m. and told him he was having the worst pain he had ever experienced." function launch(pageTitle,w,h,address){newWin = window.open("",pageTitle,'width=' w ',height=' h ',status=no,scrollbars=no,toolbar=no');newWin.location = address;}. Wilt Chamberlain earned about $100,000 in salary & endorsements in 1962, which is = to about $760,000 today. Please enter valid email address to continue. Chamberlain may have suffered a heart attack, according to Jim Wells, a spokesperson for the fire department. According to reports, Chamberlain died of natural causes. The Philadelphia Warriors selected Chamberlain with a territorial pick in 1959 to join a Philadelphia-only starting five. Wilt Chamberlain (age 60y7m) and Michael Jordon (age 34y1m) met for the first time on February 8th 1997 as the NBA celebrated its' 50th anniversary by naming its' 50 greatest players. According to sources, by the time the NBA legend passed away in 1999, he did not tie the knot with anyone. He once said that "no one cheered for Goliath," but the response to his passing proved that to be false. His autobiography, written with David Shaw, Wilt: Just Like Any Other 7-Foot Black Millionaire Who Lives Next Door, was published in 1973. His presence was nearly indescribable, almost on the level of a comic book superhero. Professional basketball player. This is a carousel with slides. On October 12, 1999, Wilt Chamberlain died of a heart attack in his sleep in his Los Angeles, California, home. Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA, Bel Air, Los Angeles County, California, USA. An outstanding player at the University of Kansas, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors as a center in 1959 and was Rookie of Year in 1960.
