Peter Press Maravich: The man, the myth, the legend

Born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, Peter Maravich was a stud (check out the video). I would bet my life savings the average fan couldn't tell you his middle name was Press (terrible middle name) but I guarantee they could tell you he was the "Pistol" (awesome nickname). Maravich played in a simpler time, before there were three pointers, ESPN and blogs (but keep reading, I promise this is worth it).

The Pistol was named because he literally fired from his hip. Maravich is the all-time leader in NCAA history for points with 3667, but he only played three years because freshman couldn't play varsity when he entered school.

Currently the top scorer in Division 1 is Stephon Curry who is averaging 28.7 points per game (playing the Southern Conference Curry is a man among boys). This is a very impressive number but compared to the "Pistol", it's pathetic. Maravich averaged over 44 a game. He didn't score over 44 now and then, he AVERAGED it for three years. Keep in mind there were no three pointers.

After the Pistol's college days were over, former LSU coach Dale Brown (led his teams to the final four in 81 and 86) decided to go back and chart every shot Maravich ever took. His results were astounding. The Pistol made 13 three's per game (this is honestly the most impressive of all his stats, imagine someone scoring 39 a game from behind the arc). Had the line existed Pistol would have average 57 per game. Even without the line he scored over 50 on 28 different occasions with a career high of 69 (which translates to 82 if he made his usual 13 bombs).

Maravich played at LSU for his Dad who taught his son from a young age. Maravich was obsessed and would practice by himself for hours in the driveway while being required to make 100 free throws before he could go to bed (he was 7). All of his work paid off in his first freshman game in college when he scored 50 points, had 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

Other guys in the history of basketball could score. Wilt Chamberlain comes to mind. But Wilt was a giant, six inches taller than the competition. Pistol was only 6'5" and is still the most prolific scorer in college history (before three point lines and a shot clock which adds possessions). I am too young to have ever seen the Pistol play except on old VHS tapes. Most of us are. Maravich died at the age of 40 in 1988 from a congenial heart defect no one knew he had, but is still remembered as one of the greatest college players ever.

Next time you sit down to watch a college basketball game and are in awe of a 30 point performance, remember the Pistol. He averaged 44, for three years, with no three point line. He was a superstar scorer who did everything else. Today I remember the Pistol.