Baton Rouge, Louisiana – In a historic announcement that solidifies his position in basketball history, LSU legend Pete Maravich has been named the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in collegiate men’s basketball. The renowned guard, who wowed fans and opponents alike throughout his collegiate years from 1968 to 1970, defeated other legendary players including Austin Carr (Notre Dame), Christian Laettner (Duke), Dan Issel (Kentucky), and Jerry Lucas (Ohio State) to win the prestigious title.
Maravich, nicknamed “Pistol Pete,” transformed the college game with his incredible ball-handling, court vision, and seemingly infinite shooting range. Despite playing at an era before the three-point line and shot clock, he amassed an astonishing 3,667 points in just three varsity seasons, a record that still holds today. Maravich averaged an incredible 44.2 points per game, a performance made all the more impressive by the absence of the three-pointer, which would have substantially increased his total in today’s game.
Known affectionately as “Pistol Pete,” Maravich revolutionized the college game with his dazzling ball-handling, court vision, and seemingly limitless shooting range. Despite playing in an era before the three-point line and shot clock, he still managed to score an unprecedented 3,667 points over just three varsity seasons — a record that still stands to this day. Maravich averaged an astonishing 44.2 points per game, a feat made even more remarkable by the absence of the three-pointer, which would have significantly boosted his numbers in today’s game.
The voting to determine the college basketball GOAT took into account both statistical accomplishments and impact on the game, and Maravich’s legacy stood out the most. While Laettner had the winning history, Carr the scoring bursts, Issel the consistency, and Lucas the dominance, none matched Maravich’s all-around game. More than five decades after his final collegiate game, Pete Maravich’s name is once again heard in the halls of college basketball history – not just as a star, but as the Greatest of All Time. LSU and the entire basketball world are thrilled to honor a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.