What happened: ABC News confirmed the passing of the Hall of Fame forward. He spent his entire 11-year professional career with the organization in Milwaukee and St. Louis.
Why it matters: Pettit remains a foundational figure in basketball history. His legacy was cemented when his 1958 Finals run delivered the Hawks title against the Boston Celtics.
By the numbers: He retired in 1965 as the league's all-time leading scorer. The big man earned All-NBA First Team honors in 10 consecutive seasons.
What to watch: Tributes from across the basketball world will likely continue throughout the upcoming 2026-27 season.