Wilt Chamberlain (Part 2)

In Chamberlain's final season with Overbrook, he continued to showcase his scoring prowess with remarkable performances. He achieved astounding point totals of 74, 78, and 90 points in consecutive games, further solidifying his status as a scoring phenomenon. Despite experiencing just one loss, a narrow defeat to Farrell High by a single point (59–58), Chamberlain and the Hilltoppers maintained their dominance.
Overbrook secured the Public League title for the third consecutive year, defeating West Philadelphia with a convincing score of 78–60. In the city championship game, they once again faced off against West Catholic. Chamberlain delivered another stellar performance, pouring in 35 points to lead Overbrook to an emphatic 83–42 victory. His outstanding achievements on the court during his senior year earned him retroactive recognition as Mr. Basketball USA for the year 1955, marking him as one of the earliest recipients of this prestigious honor.


After completing his illustrious high school career at Overbrook, Chamberlain became the subject of intense recruitment efforts from over 200 universities. Among the enticing offers he received, UCLA tempted Chamberlain with the prospect of a career in Hollywood, while the University of Pennsylvania attempted to sway him with diamonds. Cecil Mosenson, Chamberlain's coach at Overbrook, even received coaching offers in exchange for persuading Chamberlain to commit to a particular school.
According to Robert Allen Cherry's biography of Chamberlain, titled "Wilt: Larger than Life" published in 2004, Chamberlain sought a change and wanted to distance himself from Philadelphia and New York City. He was not interested in attending university in New England and rejected the South due to its racial segregation policies. As a result, the Midwest emerged as the most likely choice for Chamberlain. After visiting the University of Kansas and holding discussions with the legendary coach Phog Allen, Chamberlain announced his decision to play college basketball at Kansas, marking a significant turning point in his basketball journey.


During his time at the University of Kansas (KU), Chamberlain showcased his exceptional athletic abilities both on the basketball court and in track and field events. He was not only a standout basketball player but also excelled in various track and field disciplines. Chamberlain's athleticism was truly remarkable, as evidenced by his impressive performances in events such as the 100-yard dash, shot put, triple jump, and high jump, where he achieved considerable success in the Big Eight Conference track-and-field championships for three consecutive years.


Chamberlain's impact on the game of basketball extended beyond his prowess on the court. His remarkable skills and physical attributes prompted several changes to NCAA basketball rules. For instance, his ability to dunk free throws without a running start led to the introduction of a rule requiring shooters to keep both feet behind the free-throw line during their attempts. Additionally, Chamberlain's incredible vertical leap and dominance around the basket led to the prohibition of inbounds passes over the backboard and the implementation of offensive goaltending rules.
Despite his remarkable achievements and contributions to the game, Chamberlain's time at KU was not without controversy. His relationship with coach Phog Allen soured, particularly after Allen's retirement and the appointment of Dick Harp as his successor. Chamberlain's decision to leave KU was subject to scrutiny, with some critics suggesting it was due to his dissatisfaction with the program or his inability to secure a championship. However, Chamberlain refuted these claims during a jersey-retiring ceremony for his No. 13 jersey, emphasizing his respect and appreciation for the University of Kansas.


On December 3, 1956, Wilt Chamberlain made his highly anticipated varsity basketball debut for the Kansas Jayhawks, and he did not disappoint. In an impressive display of skill and dominance, Chamberlain scored 52 points and grabbed 31 rebounds in his first game against the Northwestern Wildcats. This remarkable performance not only marked his official entry into collegiate basketball but also shattered both the all-time scoring and rebounding records at Kansas. The Jayhawks emerged victorious with a score of 87–69, setting the stage for Chamberlain's remarkable collegiate career.


Throughout the season, Chamberlain continued to showcase his exceptional talent and athleticism, leading the Jayhawks to a stellar 13–1 record until they suffered a narrow defeat against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Despite this setback, Kansas finished the regular season with an impressive 21–2 record and clinched the Big Seven conference championship. Chamberlain's outstanding contributions on the court earned him recognition as a first-team All-American, solidifying his status as one of the top players in collegiate basketball.
As the Jayhawks progressed to the NCAA basketball tournament, Chamberlain's dominance became even more apparent. In the semifinals, he delivered a stellar performance against the two-time defending national champion San Francisco Dons, leading Kansas to an emphatic 80–56 victory. Chamberlain's exceptional play earned him the title of MVP of the NCAA tournament at Kansas.


However, the pinnacle of Chamberlain's collegiate career was the NCAA finals showdown against the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, led by Lennie Rosenbluth. Despite Chamberlain's remarkable individual performance, including 23 points and 14 rebounds, the Jayhawks fell short in a thrilling triple-overtime game. The loss was particularly devastating for Chamberlain, as it marked the first time his team had lost despite his outstanding individual statistics. Nonetheless, Chamberlain's performance in the finals earned him the distinction of being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, underscoring his exceptional talent and impact on the game of basketball.

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