The Anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-Point Game

So where were you on March 2, 1962? Okay let’s be honest, most of the people into sneakers weren’t born in the 60’s and we can only rehash great sporting feats like Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game through the box score. Heck, there isn’t even video of the actual game although there is hope someday a recording of the game is recovered. Still this date and game live on in basketball infamy. Regardless of the circumstances that helped aid Wilt being able to get to 100, the ability to score that many points showed his dominance.

Leading his Philadelphia Warriors, one year before moving to San Francisco, Chamberlain turned the ultimate fantasy basketball performance. Playing the New York Knickerbockers, yeah they were bad then too, in a “home” game on a neutral court in Hershey, Pennsylvania, he scored the 100 points by making 28 of 32 at the free throw line and hitting 36 of 63 shots. Funny thing is the box score didn’t keep track of other stats like assists or rebounds. 

Another interesting note is that Wilt was wearing a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars during the game. A choice for Wilt for most of his career, the classic white hi-top which was introduced in 1917 was part of the historic game. One of the most popular sneakers of the era, the classic All-Star is very different then the basketball shoes we have now. Crazy to think of the differences between Wilt’s Chucks and Kobe in his Nike Zoom Kobe 1 when he went for 81 points. Canvas uppers and long-lasting rubber soles aren’t something we expect to see on the hardwood anymore. But the long history and usage of the classic model is part of its allure. From starting off as a basketball model to now as a multi-purpose go-to, you can’t deny the history behind the classic Chuck or Wilt’s 100 point performance.

Aaron Nojima