Pete Maravich

The Basketball Magician Who Was Decades Ahead of His Time

Some players break records. Pete Maravich broke reality.

A visionary passer, an unstoppable scorer, and the ultimate showman, "Pistol Pete" was a basketball genius who played the game like an artist with a ball in his hands. His flashy no-look passes, ankle-breaking dribbles, and impossible shots made him a legend before he even set foot in the NBA.

Maravich didn’t just play basketball—he performed it. And while his career was tragically cut short, his impact on the game still resonates in every creative ball-handler and scoring guard today.

From Childhood Prodigy to College Legend

Born in 1947 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, Pete Maravich was born to play basketball.

His father, Press Maravich, was a coach who made sure Pete had a ball in his hands from the moment he could walk.
He spent hours every day practicing trick shots, behind-the-back dribbles, and impossible passes.
By high school, he was already a legend, dazzling crowds with his once-in-a-generation skill.

But it was at Louisiana State University (LSU) where Maravich’s legend truly exploded.

Became the greatest scorer in college basketball history, averaging an insane 44.2 points per game over three seasons.
Finished his NCAA career with 3,667 points—still the all-time record, despite playing before the three-point line existed.
Had multiple 60+ point games, revolutionizing scoring with deep jumpers, circus shots, and an endless offensive arsenal.
Won the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 1970.

If the three-point line had existed in his era, Maravich’s college scoring record might have been untouchable forever.

In 1970, he was selected third overall in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, bringing his electrifying game to the pros.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Pete Maravich wasn’t just a showman—he was an elite scorer and playmaker.

Five-time NBA All-Star
Four-time All-NBA selection
1977 NBA Scoring Champion (31.1 PPG)
Career Averages: 24.2 points, 5.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds per game
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987

Maravich’s career was shortened by injuries, but his impact was undeniable.

The Original Basketball Artist

Maravich wasn’t just ahead of his time—he was playing a different game.

He introduced behind-the-back passes and no-look assists decades before they became mainstream.
He had a handle that rivaled today’s best dribblers, long before modern training methods.
He pulled up for deep three-pointers in an era when the three-point line didn’t exist.
His ability to create magic on the court made him a must-watch player wherever he played.

Simply put, Maravich was the blueprint for modern basketball entertainment.

Two Moments That Define Pete Maravich

The 68-Point Explosion (February 25, 1977)

Maravich’s greatest scoring night came against the New York Knicks in 1977.

Dropped 68 points—one of the highest-scoring games in NBA history at the time.
Did it without a three-point line, scoring off deep jumpers, floaters, and acrobatic finishes.
It was the ultimate showcase of his pure scoring brilliance.

Even without the benefit of modern spacing and shooting, Pistol Pete was unstoppable.

The Between-the-Legs Pass That Changed Basketball

One of Maravich’s most legendary plays came when he threw a behind-the-back, between-the-legs pass to a teammate without looking.

It left defenders frozen, stunned by a move no one had seen before.
It was the kind of pass that would later become standard for Magic Johnson, Steve Nash, and Jason Williams.
Maravich was playing with 2020s vision in the 1970s.

He wasn’t just a player—he was a walking highlight reel.

Pete Maravich’s Most Iconic Basketball Cards

1970 Topps Pete Maravich Rookie Card

One of the most valuable basketball rookie cards ever, featuring Maravich as a member of the Atlanta Hawks.

1972 Topps Pete Maravich New Orleans Jazz Card

A key card from his prime years with the Jazz, when he led the league in scoring.

1977 Topps Pete Maravich Scoring Champion Card

Celebrates his historic 1977 scoring title and his peak years in the NBA.

Why Pete Maravich’s Legacy Still Matters Today

Pete Maravich wasn’t just a basketball player—he was an artist, a visionary, and an entertainer who changed the game forever.

He made ball-handling and passing an art form, paving the way for today’s flashy, creative guards.
He was one of the first true scoring machines, proving that deep jumpers and ball movement could dominate a game.
He showed that basketball could be about more than winning—it could be about creativity, style, and joy.

Even decades after his passing in 1988, his influence is seen in every highlight-reel pass, every deep three-pointer, and every guard who dares to entertain while they dominate.

To own a Pete Maravich card is to own a piece of basketball’s most creative era, a tribute to a player who saw the future of the game before anyone else.

The original basketball magician, the pioneer of flash, and the player who made the game an art.