Editor's note: This story, by Jim Heffernan, appeared in the March 14, 1962, issue of The Sporting News.
HERSHEY, Pa. — If you've ever talked to an NBA coach immediately after his team has been the victim of one of Wilt Chamberlain's devastating point-making orgies, the odds are only even money that the dejected fellow closed out his tale of woe with these words:
"Some day he'll score a hundred."
Well, some day was Friday, March 2, 1962.
In the small community where they make the world famous chocolate candies, Chamberlain made a shamble of all previous one-game scoring records of the 16-year-old National Basketball Association by scoring 100 points.
MORE: Five things you didn't know about Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game
The victims of this "impossible" accomplishment were the New York Knicks, who also were the "Patsy" last year when Elgin Baylor scored 71 points for what was then also a record.
Chamberlain's performance was simply amazing. Even the 7-1 Philadelphia Warrior star couldn't completely convey with words his feeling of joy.
"Never Thought I'd Do It"
"It's like nothing that ever happened to me before," he said excitedly. But if words wouldn't come, there was nothing that could hide the everlasting smile that covered his face from the moment he stuffed the 100th point through the net until he battled his way through a mob of young idolizers on his way out of the Hershey Arena.
"No, I never really thought I'd do it," Wilt admitted to an inquisitor. "But I guess everybody else did. I heard it and saw it written a hundred times. But I wasn't fool enough to say, or even believe, anything like that."
Philadelphia Coach Frank McGuire was one of those on record as predicting Wilt's 100.
"Remember back in December when he got the 78 against Los Angeles?" McGuire said. "I told you guys (the reporters covering the Warriors' games) that he'd get 100 points some day.
Forecast Made in Anger
"Actually, I said that in a moment of anger. The Lakers had been playing three and four men on Wilt that night, and I was mad at the refs for not getting them off his back.
"We all knew he was capable of 100. But begin to think just what it takes to score that much. Why if you or I went to a gym alone it would take us almost a half hour to make enough for 100 points.
"But tonight was a wonderful thrill. I remember the first time a team I coached scored a 100. Now this. It's almost unbelievable. He deserves all the praise in the world.
"And," McGuire added, "it's a great tribute to his teammates."
But Frank was a little late lauding the rest of the Warriors. Wilt already had done it.
"It took a lot of effort for me,” Chamberlain said in most sincere tones, "but it was just as big an effort for the team. It wouldn't have been close to possible to do this if they didn't want it for me as much as I did.
"That's what makes it so important to me. They wanted me to do it, and so did the fans."
Paul Arizin, the Warriors' 10-year veteran who ranks as the second-greatest career scorer in NBA history, shook his head in disbelief.
"I never thought I would see it happen when I broke into the league," Arizin said. "But when Wilt came along, I knew he'd do it some day.
"It's a fantastic thing. I'm very happy for him."
Over in one corner of the dressing room, substitutes Joe Ruklick and Ted Luckenbill were kidding each other about their part in the record.
"Remember," Ruklick shouted to anyone within earshot, "Lucky got the rebound and I got the assist."
20 Assists for Rodgers
"I won't forget," Chamberlain responded.
Guy Rodgers, who was credited with 20 assists, explained it simply:
"There wasn't an easier way in the world to get assists tonight. All I had to do was give the ball to the Dipper."
And little Al Attles, who had a perfect 8-for-8 night from the field and sank his only free throw attempt, kiddingly complained to Wilt:
"Big fella, I'll have a mental block the rest of my life. I don't miss a shot and nobody even talks to me.”
"Well," Chamberlain reminded Attles, "you asked me before the game when I was going to take 60 shots in a game. Well, I took 63 tonight. So you see it's your own doing."
Someone asked Wilt if he thought this record would ever be broken.
"I'd hate to be the one to try and break it," he answered revealing his weariness for the first time.
"It was funny tonight. I never thought of getting a lot of points, but when I made my first nine fouls (he actually made ten in a row), I thought it would be great if I could break the record for most fouls in a game.
But then, going into the last quarter, we all knew I had a good chance at the 73 and 78.
Chamberlain, who had 69 points at the end of three periods, referred to his own pair of single-game records: 73 in a regulation game against Chicago, Jan. 13, 1962, and 78 in a three-overtime game against Los Angeles, Dec. 8, 1961.
Wilt quickly disposed of the regulation-game mark. He dropped in three baskets in the first two minutes of the final period to raise his total to 75.
The fans began to chant: "Give it to Wilt. Give it to Wilt."
With 7:51 remaining, Chamberlain took a pass from Rodgers and faded to the foul line for his 79th point.
The 78 mark had been eclipsed. The fans — who numbered a sparse 4,124 — greeted the announcement with wild cheers, whistles and applause.
Now the push was on. The Warriors began to feed the ball to Wilt even more than they had previously.
Chamberlain reached 89 with more than five minutes left. One hundred was within easy reach.
Knicks Fouled Warriors
But the Knicks, too, knew it. And in an effort to avoid the ignominy of being the victim of such a rap, they began to hold the ball as long as the 24-second rule would permit. New York also managed to halt the Chamberlain onslaught temporarily by fouling the other Warriors before they could pass the ball to Wilt.
But Philadelphia Coach McGuire retaliated by sending into the game subs Ruklick, Luckenbill and York Larese. Their job: foul the Knicks in order for the Warriors to regain possession of the ball.
So, with 2:45 to go, Wilt was on his way again.
A free throw. Then another pair of singletons. A long fadeaway boosted Chamberlain's total to 94.
The 96th came after he dropped a pass from Rodgers, then recovered for another of his famous fadeaway shots from the pivot. Larese gave Wilt a high pass and he dunked in 98 with 1:19 to go.
The fans were on their feet and screaming. The players on the Warriors' bench squirmed. The tension was at its peak.
Chamberlain intercepted the ensuing throw-in by the Knicks and missed a shot from the foul line. And after New York missed, the Warriors came down court and Wilt moved into the pivot, surrounded by New Yorkers.
Ruklick fed the Big Dipper a pass. Wilt missed. He grabbed the rebound and missed again.
Then Luckenbill shared the ball and passed it to Ruklick. Joe spotted Wilt under the basket and lobbed the ball toward the hoop. Chamberlain grabbed it with both hands and stuffed it through. One hundred!
Crowd Sweeps on Court
Forty-six seconds remained. But the fans didn't care as they swept onto the court to congratulate Chamberlain. The game was delayed almost five minutes before order was restored.
Wilt had done the "impossible."
Chamberlain scored 36 field goals in 63 shots. He added 28 free throws in 32 attempts — an unusually good effort for Wilt.
"That almost makes me as happy as the 100," Chamberlain said of his foul shooting.
By periods, Chamberlain scored 23, 18, 28 and 31 points.
His shooting never fell below 50 percent in any quarter: (1st) 7-for-14; (2nd) 7-for-12; (3rd) 10-for-16, and (4th) 12-for-21.
Overall Chamberlain set nine records in the game. He also tied another. The Warriors and Knicks also set three records.
Thus, the prophecy, which has followed Wilt Chamberlain ever since he tied on sneakers for the first time to play in the NBA, has been fulfilled.
Wilt Chamberlain has scored 100 points.
Nine NBA Point Marks Fell Before The Stilt's Onslaught
HERSHEY, Pa. — Wilt Chamberlain set nine National Basketball Association records when he scored 100 points to pace the Warriors to a 169 to 147 victory over New York, March 2.
The Warriors and Knicks also combined for three other NBA marks.
The individual records set by Chamberlain:
Most points, one game-100.
Most field goals, one game-36.
Most free throws, one game-28.
Most shots, one game-63.
Most points, one half-59.
Most field goals, one half-22.
Most shots, one half-37.
Most points, one quarter-31.
Most shots, one quarter-21.
Record tied by Chamberlain:
Most field goals, one quarter 12 (set by Cliff Hagan, St. Louis, February 4, 1958).
Team records broken:
Most points, two teams, one game - 316 (Philadelphia 169, New York 147).
Most field goals, two teams, one game-120 (Philadelphia 63, New York 57).
Most points, two teams, one half-169 (Philadelphia 90, New York 79-second half).