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Wilt Chamberlain was an American basketball player and here is more about his net worth, salary, records, and endorsements.

Wilt Chamberlain is far and wide regarded as one of the greatest players to ever play basketball. Let us know more about his net worth.

Wilt Chamberlain Facts

Birth PlacePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Father’s NameWilliam Chamberlain
Mother’s NameOlivia Ruth Chamberlain
Star SignLeo
CollegeThe University of Kansas
Net Worth$10 Million
Salary $250,000 ($1.7m today)
Age63
Date of BirthAugust 21, 1936
DIedOctober 12, 1999
Height (ft)7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Weight (kg)125 (275 lb)
NationalityAmerican
NBA Draft Year1959
NBA Draft PickTerritorial
Playing Career1958-1973
PositionCenter
Teams (Player & Coach)Harlem Globetrotters, Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Diego Conquistadors
Achievements2x NBA Champion (1967, 1972), NBA Finals MVP (1972), 4x NBA MVP (1960, 1966-1968), 13x NBA All-Star (1960-1969, 1971-1973), NBA All-Star Game MVP (1960), NBA Rookie of the Year (1960), Mr. Basketball USA (1955)
Wife/GirlfriendN/A
ChildrenN/A
EndorsementsN/A

Wilt Norman Chamberlain was the 1959 draft pick by the Philadelphia Warriors. He played in the position of center and wore jersey number 13 throughout his career.  

He used to play college basketball for the University of Kansas before entering the NBA. In his honor, his jersey number 13 was retired by the Kansas Jayhawks.

Wilt Chamberlain stats

Points:31,419 (30.1 ppg)
Rebounds:23,924 (22.9 rpg)
Assists:4,643 (4.4 apg)

Even before becoming pro, Wilt Chamberlain spent one year with the Harlem Globetrotters (1958-1959) because it prohibited him from joining the NBA for a year. He went on tour with the Globetrotters to the Soviet Union, where he played for $50,000 (about $500,000 in 2021). He considered his time with the Globetrotters as “some of the most pleasant days of his life”.

Chamberlain with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1959 (Pixabay)

He made his NBA debut in 1959 as a center for the Philadelphia Warriors. Chamberlain immediately became the NBA’s highest-paid player as he signed his rookie contract for $30,000 (equal to about $266,000 today).

In his rookie year, Chamberlain averaged 37.6 points and 27 rebounds. Interestingly, he only took 56 games to score 2,102 points. As a reward, he won the Rookie of the Year and NBA Most valuable Player (MVP) of that season (1959-1960).

In 1962, Chamberlain played his legendary 100 points game against the New York Knicks. In that season, he smashed all his previous records but unfortunately could win the NBA Championship. They lost to Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

In 1964, Chamberlain went to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career. However, they lost the Finals 4-1 to Bill Russell’s dominant Boston Celtics. At the 1965 NBA All-Star Weekend, Chamberlain was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers.

In 1967, Chamberlain won his first-ever NBA Championship defeating San Francisco Warriors. In 1968, Chamberlain was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. He won the 1972 NBA Championship with the Lakers. Chamberlain was also named the Finals MVP.

Chamberlain running down the court while playing for the Lakers (Pinterest)

Chamberlain left the NBA in 1973 and joined the San Diego Conquistadors of the American Basketball League (ABA). He was a player-coach for the team, enjoying a salary of $600,000. However, he was not allowed to play because of legal issues. Finally, he retired from professional basketball in 1974.

Wilt Chamberlain Net Worth and Salary

The 63-year-old was estimated to have a net worth of around $10 million. Most of his net worth was acquired from his salary and various endorsements.

His highest salary cap was $250,000 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He reportedly was the first man in NBA history to sign a $100,000 contract.

Wilt Chamberlain Personal Life

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chamberlain was the son of Olivia Ruth Johnson and William Chamberlain. His mother was a domestic worker and a homemaker while his father was a welder, custodian, and handyman. Chamberlain also had eight other siblings.

Chamberlain never got married and had no child. He claimed that he slept with 20,000 different women in his lifetime.

Wilt Chamberlain Endorsements, Entrepreneurship and Property

There is not much known about Chamberlain’s endorsements or sponsorship deals. However, it can be assumed that various clothing companies and footwear companies sponsored him.

After retiring from NBA, it is said that he made money in stocks and real estate. He also made money from various movies and productions.

Wilt Chamberlain, 7-foot Kansas Center, displays the hands that deflected 127 shots during Kansas’ first twenty games. | Getty Images

Wilt Chamberlain’s cause of death

The Big Dipper had a long history of trouble with his heart. He was briefly hospitalized in 1992 for an irregular heartbeat. He promptly took medicines for his heart troubles.

In 1999, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he lost around 50 pounds. Ultimately, on October 12, 1999, Chamberlain died in Bel-Air, California, at 63. His cause of death was congestive heart failure.

FAQs about Wilt Chamberlain

What was the age of Wilt Chamberlain when he died?
Wilt Chamberlain was 63 years old when he died.
When was Wilt Chamberlain born?
Wilt Chamberlain was born on August 21, 1936.
When did Wilt Chamberlain die?
Wilt Chamberlain died on October 12, 1999
What is the net worth of Wilt Chamberlain?
Wilt Chamberlain had a net worth of $10 million.
Where was Wilt Chamberlain born?
Wilt Chamberlain was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What is the height of Wilt Chamberlain?
Wilt Chamberlain’s height was 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
What is the weight of Wilt Chamberlain?
Wilt Chamberlain’s weight was 125 kg (275 lb)
Did Wilt Chamberlain ever get married?
No, Wilt Chamberlain never got married.
In which year was Wilt Chamberlain drafted?
Wilt Chamberlain was drafted in the year 1959.
In what position does Wilt Chamberlain play?
Wilt Chamberlain played in the position of Center.
For what teams did Wilt Chamberlain play for?
Wilt Chamberlain played for Harlem Globetrotters, Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
How many NBA Championship did Wilt Chamberlain win?
Wilt Chamberlain has won two NBA Championships.

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