In a minor way, Wilt Chamberlain did nothing. He was seven feet one. He claimed to have had 20,000 women make love to him. He said to teammate Joe Rucklik that he drove nonstop at an average speed of 119 mph for 20 hours, from Los Angeles to Philadelphia.
Rucklik remarked, “He said he had these auxiliary gas tanks, so he didn’t have to stop for fuel.” He exaggerated everything because he was such a huge character.
He enjoyed monopolizing talks, prevailing in debates, bragging, and embellishing his own story. In the best sense of the word, of course. Some guys seem so serious that you fear they’re going to mug you. Wilt wants to amuse you.
Rucklik cherishes Chamberlain’s generosity just as much as his extraordinary skill. Wilt sent Rucklik two cards of congratulations upon the birth of his first kid.
Chamberlain said, “You had a boy and you’re a helluva man, so I sent you two.”
When Chamberlain’s son entered high school, Rucklik requested him to send him a photo. One of Chamberlain’s University of Kansas jerseys was given away.
When Chamberlain’s number was retired less than a year before he passed away, Rucklik was the only former teammate invited to Kansas.
Wilt reportedly said to Rucklik, who faced Chamberlain at Northwestern, “I’m always glad to see you Joe because I scored 52 points against you.”
For three years, Chamberlain and Paul Arizin were teammates. Arizin was a white man at the end of his career who was married and had kids. Chamberlain was just starting out in his profession, black, and single.
During their three years together as teammates, Arizin said to author Gary Pomerantz that he never had a deep talk with Chamberlain.
Thirty-five years later, in 1997. The 1997 All-Star Game celebrated a selection of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History as part of the NBA’s 50th anniversary celebration. Chamberlain and Arizin were added to the squad.
For three years, Chamberlain and Paul Arizin were teammates. Arizin was a white man at the end of his career who was married and had kids. Chamberlain was just starting out in his profession, black, and single.
During their three years together as teammates, Arizin said to author Gary Pomerantz that he never had a deep talk with Chamberlain.
Thirty-five years later, in 1997. The 1997 All-Star Game celebrated a selection of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History as part of the NBA’s 50th anniversary celebration. Chamberlain and Arizin were added to the squad.
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