Buzz
Wilt Chamberlain, famously known as the Big Dipper, is remembered for his unparalleled basketball prowess and larger-than-life persona. From scoring an astonishing 100 points in one game to his controversial claim of 20,000 romantic encounters, Chamberlain was a complex and solitary figure, often overshadowed by his immense talent. In this series uncovering lesser-known facts about iconic individuals, we delve into the life of Wilton Norman Chamberlain.
1. His Talents Extended Beyond Basketball
Following his retirement from basketball in 1974, Chamberlain embraced a new passion: volleyball. That same year, he joined the International Volleyball Association as a board member, a short-lived professional coed league that disbanded in 1979. Standing at an imposing 7'1", he played for the Seattle Smashers, drawing significant attention to the league. The IVA's All-Star game was even televised, with Chamberlain earning the MVP title. His impact on volleyball was so profound that he was later inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame.
2. He Almost Faced Muhammad Ali in the Ring
Chamberlain was renowned for his relentless pursuit of new challenges, yet he missed an opportunity that remains one of sports' greatest "what if?" moments. As detailed in Don Cherry's biography Wilt: Larger than Life, boxing promoter Cus D'Amato approached Chamberlain in 1965 with a lucrative proposal to fight heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. Although Philadelphia 76ers owner Ike Richman convinced Chamberlain to decline, the idea persisted for years.
By 1971, it seemed the long-awaited showdown might finally occur. Chamberlain signed a contract to face Ali at the Houston Astrodome on July 26, 1971, with the potential for a heavyweight title match if Ali defeated Joe Frazier that March. However, Ali lost to Frazier, marking his first professional defeat, and Chamberlain ultimately withdrew from the fight due to an escape clause in his contract.
3. He Had a Knack for Solving Car Troubles
Chamberlain had a passion for automobiles, often seen driving his Cadillac convertible or a unique lavender Bentley imported from England. His love for speed, however, posed a challenge due to his towering 7'1" frame, which made fitting into sports cars nearly impossible. Reports suggest he removed the seat from his Lamborghini Countach and replaced it with a padded mat just to squeeze behind the wheel.
While most would settle for a spacious, boxy vehicle, Chamberlain took a more extravagant approach. He commissioned the creation of a custom Le Mans-style racecar named Searcher One, built in 1996 at an estimated cost of $750,000. This yellow masterpiece was designed specifically to accommodate his size and need for speed.
4. He Traveled the World
While many associate Chamberlain with the Lakers, Warriors, or 76ers, his professional basketball journey began with the Harlem Globetrotters. After falling short in the NCAA tournament finals during his junior year at Kansas, Chamberlain aimed to join the NBA. However, league rules at the time prohibited players who hadn’t completed college, leading him to sign with the Globetrotters instead.
Financially, Chamberlain benefited greatly from bypassing the NBA for the Globetrotters. In an era when the average NBA player earned under $10,000 per season, Chamberlain secured a $65,000 annual contract. His towering presence and unique skills made him the team’s biggest attraction, captivating audiences with his ability to play shooting guard at 7'1". After a season filled with entertaining performances and impressive play, Chamberlain transitioned to the NBA, joining the Philadelphia Warriors.
5. The 20,000 Figure Might Be Overstated
Chamberlain’s infamous assertion of having been with 20,000 women was first published in his 1991 autobiography, A View From Above. Although he was widely known for his charm and success with women, achieving such a staggering number would have required him to be with 1.2 women daily from the age of 15 until the book’s publication.
While the claim of 20,000 seems logistically improbable, Chamberlain reportedly joked to his occasional girlfriend Lynda Huey, "What's a zero between friends?" suggesting the actual number might have been closer to 2,000. In David M. Pomerantz's compelling book Wilt, 1962, Huey, a lifelong friend and confidante, believed this adjusted figure to be more accurate.
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