LOUISIANA BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME
Pettit was a three-time All-American and a three-time first team All-Southeastern Conference selection. He was also a three-time NABC All-District selection and a first team SEC All-Tournament selection in 1952. He finished his career as the leading scorer and rebounder in LSU history, with 1,916 points for a 27.4 average and 1,010 rebounds for a 14.4 average. He led the SEC in scoring for three consecutive years. He averaged 31.4 points (2nd in nation) and 17.3 rebounds in 1954, 24.7 points (10th in nation) and 12.5 rebounds in 1953, and 25.5 points (3rd in nation) and 13.1 rebounds in 1952. He scored 50 or more points three times. He had single game highs of 60 points and 25 rebounds. He led LSU to two consecutive SEC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 1953 NCAA Final Four. In six career NCAA Tournament games, he averaged 30.5 points.
Pettit was the second player selected in the first round of the 1954 NBA Draft. He went on to play 11 seasons in the NBA, becoming the 1955 NBA Rookie of the Year, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, an 11-time All-NBA selection, an 11-time NBA All-Star and a four-time NBA All-Star Game MVP, while also leading the St. Louis Hawks to the 1958 NBA title. He led the NBA in scoring twice and rebounding once. He ended his career in 1965 as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and second leading rebounder. In 1997 he was recognized as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. He is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.