Unforeseen circumstances often pave the way to greatness — and in Wilt Chamberlain’s case, they helped shape the very fabric of basketball history.
As detailed in Robert Cherry’s acclaimed biography “Wilt: Larger Than Life,” the NBA legend wasn’t initially drawn to basketball by design but rather steered toward it by coincidence. A native of Philadelphia, the late Chamberlain often reflected on how differently his life could have turned out if he had grown up somewhere else.
Wilt often said that had he grown up in Oklahoma, he might have become a football player; or had he grown up in California, he might have become a track star — but he grew up in Philadelphia, where, in his words, ‘basketball was king,'” wrote Cherry.
A “game for sissies”
Philadelphia isn’t just a city full of history and iconic landmarks — it lives and breathes passion, especially for sports.
While the Eagles and Phillies ignite the passion of football and baseball fans, basketball is just as deeply rooted in Philadelphia’s soul. The sport has long been a part of the city’s heartbeat, giving rise to true NBA greats. One of the most iconic was Chamberlain, who grew up in West Philly long before becoming a true legend.
During his childhood, in the 1940s and early 1950s, Philadelphia’s team — the Warriors, later part of the 76ers’ legacy — was already making a name for itself in the newly formed NBA. Led by power forward Joe Fulks, the team won the league’s first championship title in 1947 and reached the Finals the following year.
However, that success didn’t really catch the young Chamberlain’s attention. The future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer wasn’t yet interested in the sport, even calling it a “game for sissies” during his early years.
From outrunning siblings to NBA dominance
It wasn’t until seventh grade at Shoemaker Junior High School that Wilt seriously turned to basketball. Up until that point, he was more focused on running than anything else.
Growing up with older siblings, Chamberlain quickly became adept at outrunning them during games like hide-and-seek, which helped him hone his speed.
“I had to learn to run fast or I’d have never won a game,” he once said about his childhood.
While attending George Brooks Elementary, Wilt developed a passion for running and joined the school’s track team. Although the Philadelphia native dreamed of excelling in track, a remarkable growth spurt at age 10, which took him to six feet tall, changed the direction of his athletic career.
His growing size, combined with the strong influence of basketball culture in his hometown, led Wilt to leave track behind and start pursuing basketball, setting the stage for a career that would make him one of the most dominant players to ever grace the hardwood.
During his 14 years in the league, “The Big Dipper” achieved remarkable milestones: he won two championships, was named Finals MVP in 1972 and earned 13 All-Star selections.
Standing at 7’1″, the former center led the league in scoring seven times, in rebounding 11 times, and even in assists once, showcasing his all-around impact on the game.
To top it off, Chamberlain won the prestigious Rookie of the Year award, posting incredible numbers of 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds per game during the 1959-60 regular season.
Philly’s unstoppable NBA pipeline
Wilt wasn’t the only NBA legend to come from the streets of Philadelphia, a city with a rich streetball culture and a long history as a hub for great ballers.
One of the most significant examples of Philly’s basketball legacy dates back to the 1959–60 Philadelphia Warriors. Back then, team owner Eddie Gottlieb put together a squad largely made up of local talent.
Chamberlain, from Overbrook High School, was joined by Tom Gola and Paul Arizin (both from La Salle High School), Ernie Beck (from West Catholic) and Guy Rodgers (from Northeast High). All but Beck would eventually be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
That homegrown Warriors team gave the dominant Boston Celtics, led by Bill Russell, a tough fight in the 1960 Eastern Division Finals. Despite losing 4-2 in the series, they proved how much talent Philadelphia had to offer in the early years of the league’s history.
Over time, that connection to basketball greatness remained strong. The sixth most populous city in the United States has produced a long list of NBA legends, including Earl Monroe, Rasheed Wallace, Richard “Rip” Hamilton and, of course, the greatest of them all, the late Kobe Bryant — one of the best scorers the game has ever seen.
Philly has also produced several notable basketball players currently making waves in the NBA. Kyle Lowry, now with the Miami Heat, continues to be a seasoned leader. Mikal Bridges, playing for the New York Knicks, is a standout two-way player. De’Andre Hunter, with the Cleveland Cavaliers since February 2025, has solidified his role as a valuable bench contributor. Lastly, Dereck Lively II, a promising big man for the Dallas Mavericks, is beginning to make an impact in the association.
The “City of Brotherly Love” has also been home to many influential basketball coaches. Figures like Gottlieb, Harry Litwack, Chuck Daly, Jack Ramsay, John Chaney, Herb Magee, Jimmy Lynam, Paul Westhead, Jack McCloskey, Freddy Carter, Don Casey and Jim O’Brien have all made lasting contributions to the game, both at the collegiate and professional levels.
