Wilt Chamberlain, 1959-60
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Statistics: 37.6 PPG, 2.3 APG, 27.0 RPG
PER: 28.0
Wilt Chamberlain has posted some of the gaudiest statistics the NBA has ever witnessed. And he wasted no time doing it.
His 1959-60 campaign was his first season in the NBA, yet he went on to break eight separate records, including points per game (37.6) and rebounds per game (27.0).
The former Kansas Jayhawk dominated in a way never seen before.
He poured in an astounding 43 points and 28 rebounds in his inaugural NBA game and showed no signs of his youth. The rookie also led the league in minutes per game, PER and finished second in free throws made.
Additionally, he immediately helped lead the Philadelphia
Warriors to a 49-26 record.
His rare combination of size, skill and athleticism was completely foreign to the NBA at the time, despite his relative similarity to Celtics great Bill Russell. In comparison, Chamberlain stood three inches taller and was nearly 60 pounds heavier than Russell