By Veronica An
Wilt Chamberlain stepped on the collegiate basketball court for the first time in 1956 during a University of Kansas versus Northwestern University. Chamberlain scored 52 points and tallied 31 rebounds in his first collegiate game. The next year, he was selected to play in the NCAA Tournament which was held in Dallas, Texas which was segregated at the time. Chamberlain showcased his offensive prowess and helped Kansas win the game. Chamberlain graduated college and spend year with the Harlem Globetrotters for a $50,000 contact (equal to about $434,000 today). In 1959, Chamberlain made his NBA debut with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors where he went on to prove his athletic abilities. He received the 1972 Finals MVP award and set himself apart as a scoring champion, all-time top rebounder and accurate field goal shooter. Chamberlain later played for the Philadelphia 76ers and ended his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.