Bob Pettit, the basketball legend who was the first player to receive the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, has died at 93. He secured the MVP title twice, first in the 1955-56 season and again in 1958-59, topping the scoring charts in both those years.
Pettit's illustrious career saw him named an NBA All-Star in all 11 of his seasons. He also made history as the first player to achieve 20,000 career points. Drafted by the Milwaukee Hawks in 1954, he remained with the franchise after their move to St Louis, leading them to an NBA title victory over the Boston Celtics in 1958.
He reached two more finals with the Hawks in 1960 and 1961 before retiring in 1965. The Basketball Hall of Fame confirmed his death, describing him as "a true giant of the game". No cause of death was provided.