Pete “Pistol Pete” Maravich earned his nickname early in his career with his awesome shooting and quick speed. Pete Maravich became “Pistol Pete” because he was fast as a bullet shooting out of a pistol.

Pistol Pete played basketball at Louisiana State University, where in 1970, he was named The Sporting News’ National Player of the Year. After graduating, Pistol Pete headed to the NBA, where he was named an All-Star five times and led the league in scoring in 1977. In 1996, Pete was named one of the NBA’s 50 Best Players of All Time. Unfortunately, Pistol Pete’s life was cut short when he collapsed and died while playing a pickup basketball game in 1988 at the age of 40.

While Pete “Pistol Pete” Maravich achieved great success in the NBA, he truly made his mark in college. While wearing his trademark floppy gray socks, Maravich was busy shattering record books. Between 1967 and 1970, he set two scoring records that still stand. He averaged 44.25 points per game during his collegiate career, and set a career-scoring record with 3,667 points in just 83 games over three seasons (and this was before the 3 point shot was allowed). He earned the name “Pistol Pete” because he was fast a a bullet shooting out of a pistol.

Pistol Pete’s NBA Highlights

• NBA All-Rookie Team
• All-NBA First Team (1976, 1978)
• All-NBA Second Team (1973, 1978)
• Five-time NBA All-Star (1973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979)
• Scored 15,948 points (24.2 ppg) in 658 games
• Top 16 scoring average NBA history (24.2)
• Led the NBA in scoring (31.1 ppg) in 1977, his career best
• Scored a career-high 68 points against the New York Knicks on Feb. 25, 1977
• Shares NBA single-game record for most free throws made in one quarter (14) on Nov. 28, 1973 against Buffalo
• Shares NBA single-game record for most free throws attempted in one quarter (16) on Jan. 2, 1973 against Chicago
• #7 jersey retired by the Utah Jazz (1985)
• #7 jersey retired by the Superdome (1988)
• NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team (1996)
• #7 jersey retired by the New Orleans Hornets (2003)

- John A. Roberts

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Tags | NBA, NBA nicknames, Pete Maravich, Pistol Pete