Moses Malone

The Relentless Rebounder and Quiet Giant Who Ruled the Paint

Moses Malone didn’t need flash. He didn’t need headlines. He just showed up, went to work, and dominated.

A true titan of the low post, Malone was the first player to jump from high school straight to the pros in modern basketball and went on to build one of the most impressive and underappreciated careers in NBA history. Known for his incredible offensive rebounding, bruising physicality, and relentless motor, Moses carved out greatness through sheer force of will. He wasn’t loud, but his presence was overwhelming.

A three-time NBA MVP, twelve-time All-Star, and a Hall of Famer who changed the game with his durability and dominance, Moses Malone was the engine behind every team he touched—especially the one that mattered most.

From High School Phenom to Pro Pioneer

Born in 1955 in Petersburg, Virginia, Moses Malone was a man among boys in high school, averaging 36 points and 26 rebounds in his senior year. Instead of taking the traditional college route, Malone made history in 1974 by signing with the Utah Stars of the ABA, becoming the first player to leap from high school to professional basketball.

• Quickly made his presence felt in the ABA, and when the league merged with the NBA in 1976, Malone was already known as a rebounding machine.

• After brief stops in Buffalo and Houston, he found a home and a starring role with the Houston Rockets, where he emerged as one of the game’s elite.

• Eventually traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, where he would reach the pinnacle of his career.

Career Accomplishments and Milestones

• 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1979, 1982, 1983)

• NBA Champion (1983)

• NBA Finals MVP (1983)

• 12× NBA All-Star

• 8× All-NBA Team selection

• 6× Rebounding Champion

• Career totals: 29,580 points, 17,834 rebounds

• 9th all-time in points, 3rd all-time in rebounds

• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (2001)

• Named to the NBA 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams

Defining Moments of Greatness

“Fo’, Fo’, Fo’” – The 1983 Championship Run
Upon joining the Philadelphia 76ers, Moses boldly predicted a flawless playoff run—“Fo’, Fo’, Fo’,”—as in, four-game sweeps through each round. Though they dropped one game, the Sixers went 12–1 in the playoffs, steamrolling their way to a title. Malone was unstoppable, averaging 26 points and 15 rebounds per game during the postseason. He earned Finals MVP honors, dominating the paint and solidifying the Sixers as one of the greatest single-season teams in NBA history.

The Rebounding Machine
Malone led the league in rebounding six times, but it was his offensive rebounding that set him apart. He seemed to know exactly where the ball would land and fought for position on every possession. In many games, he’d follow his own missed shot two or three times in one sequence—padding stats and crushing opponents' will.

Quiet Excellence Over Two Decades
While he wasn’t the loudest voice in the locker room, Moses was a pro’s pro. He played 21 seasons, outlasting entire eras, adapting his game, and mentoring younger stars like Charles Barkley along the way. His professionalism and consistency left an indelible mark on every franchise he played for.

Iconic Moses Malone Cards to Know

1975 Topps Moses Malone Rookie Card
His first official NBA-licensed card, featuring Malone in a red Spirits of St. Louis ABA uniform. A must-have for collectors of legends and basketball history.

1983 Star Company Moses Malone – Sixers Blue Border
Issued during his peak championship year, this Star card captures Moses at the height of his dominance. Scarce and condition-sensitive.

1986 Fleer Moses Malone #74
Part of the legendary 1986 Fleer set, this card remains a popular and accessible way to own a piece of Malone's greatness. Often overlooked among rookies, but essential in a Hall of Fame lineup.

The Legacy of Moses Malone

Moses Malone didn’t just dominate—he endured.

He paved the way for high school-to-pro stars like Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. He was a blueprint for greatness without ego, letting his rebounding totals, MVP awards, and championship ring do the talking. Malone never chased the spotlight, but his numbers quietly demand respect among the game’s all-time greats.

He wasn’t flashy. He wasn’t flashy. But he was ferocious, focused, and forever reliable.

To own a Moses Malone card is to own a chapter of basketball history often underappreciated, yet absolutely vital. A reminder that real greatness doesn’t always need noise—it just gets the job done, night after night.