Moses Malone, a legendary basketball center, made history as the first player to jump from high school to the NBA. This revolutionary decision reshaped the league’s dynamics. He dominated the court over a remarkable 21-year career, earning three MVP awards and leading teams to championships while setting numerous records.
Trailblazing High School to Pro Jump
Skipping college to join the ABA was revolutionary. At 19, Moses Malone made history as the first player to leap directly from high school to professional basketball after being drafted by the Utah Stars in 1974. His bold decision set a precedent that inspired future stars to pursue their dreams.
Shattering the Rookie Expectations
In his rookie ABA season with the Utah Stars, Malone averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds per game, which showed immediate dominance. He transitioned forward to center as he bulked up and bagged both ABA All-Star and All-Rookie honors, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s premier big men.
Houston’s Glass Cleaner
When Malone joined the Houston Rockets, he became a rebounding powerhouse. In the 1978–79 season, he averaged 24.8 points, a career-high .540 shooting percentage, and an astounding 17.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, he set a single-season record with 587 offensive rebounds and earned the NBA MVP Award and All-NBA First Team honors.
Leading a Young Houston Rockets Team to the Finals
Come 1981, Malone propelled a young Houston Rockets team to the NBA Finals. That season, he dominated the league with 14.8 rebounds per match and came in second in points scored (28.8 points). During the Finals, he averaged 22.3 points and 15.7 rebounds and showed his continued success in the postseason.
The Rebounding King
Malone accumulated 17,834 total combined rebounds, which placed him among the NBA’s all-time leaders with an average of 12.2 per game. Tenacity on the boards earned him the nickname “Chairman of the Boards.” He topped the league in rebounds per match on six occasions, including five consecutive years from 1981 to 1985.
MVP Triple Crown
Winning the NBA MVP Award three times—once with the Houston Rockets in 1979 and twice with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1982 and 1983—cemented Malone’s legacy. His dominance, including a remarkable 31.1 points and 14.7 rebounds in 1981-82, helped secure an NBA championship for the 76ers in 1983.
Fo’, Fo,’ Fo’ Prediction
In one of his most famous moments, Malone boldly predicted the Sixers would sweep the entire 1983 playoffs, saying, “Fo’, fo’, fo’.” While they didn’t win every game, they nearly fulfilled his prophecy, cruising to an NBA Championship with a 12-1 playoff record and earning Malone Finals MVP honors.
The 1983 Championship Run
Over the 1983 NBA championship run, Malone dominated the postseason, averaging 26 points and 15.8 rebounds per game. He led the league in rebounding for the third consecutive year after out-rebounding Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 72 to 30. The 76ers swept the Lakers 4-0 in the Finals.
Surpassing 28,000 Career Points
Surpassing 28,000 career points is a significant achievement, especially for a player celebrated for rebounding. Moses Malone reached this milestone, joining an elite group as the third player in NBA history with over 17,000 rebounds. He finished with 29,580 points and averaged over 20 points per game for 11 continuous seasons.
Record-Setting Performance With The Hawks
A remarkable achievement occurred in the 1988–89 season, as Malone averaged 20.2 points and 11.8 rebounds with the Atlanta Hawks. He became the first athlete to rack up 20 points and ten rebounds across four separate clubs. In addition, he scored double figures in 75 of 81 games, with a season-high of 37 points.
Dominating Offensive Rebounds Like No Other
Malone’s knack for grabbing offensive boards was second to none. Interestingly, he holds the record for the most offensive rebounds, with over 6,731 in the NBA alone and a combined 7,382 across both leagues. Leading in offensive rebounds nine times, he created countless second-chance opportunities for his team.
A Streak of All-Star Appearances
Being selected to the All-Star Game 13 times across the ABA and NBA showcased Malone’s sustained excellence. He was an ABA All-Star as a rookie, then made the NBA All-Star roster annually from 1978 to 1989. His All-Star appearances included five seasons with the Houston Rockets and four consecutive seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.
All-NBA Selections
Malone earned First-Team honors four times, and Second-Team honors another four, earning eight All-NBA selections. From 1979 to 1987, these accolades reflect his consistent dominance as one of the league’s premier centers. The ability to excel on the ends of the floor built his legacy among basketball’s elite.
Record-Breaking Free Throws
Retiring in 1995, Malone held the record for most made free throws in NBA history with 9,018. His exceptional ability to draw and convert fouls significantly boosted his scoring totals. He currently ranks second all-time in free throws, with 9,018 throws made and 11,864 attempted.
NBA’s 50 Greatest Players Honor
Honored as one of the game’s all-time greats, Malone was named to the ABA All-Time Team in 1997 to recognize his influence on the league. In 1996, he earned a spot on the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players list, followed by selection to the 2021 NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
A Legacy of Longevity
Spanning 21 seasons in the ABA and NBA, he showcased extraordinary durability and profound influence on basketball. During his first year of eligibility, in 2001, he was accepted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his noteworthy contributions to the game as one of the greatest players in basketball history.
15 Notable Moments from Moses Malone’s Basketball Journey