Wilt Chamberlain: Height, Death, 100-Point Game, Stats & More

More than six decades after his 100-point game, Wilt Chamberlain remains the only NBA player to score triple digits in a single contest. His 7-foot-1 frame, 275-pound build, and two championships are part of basketball lore—but separating fact from exaggeration takes some sifting.

Height: 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) · Weight: 275 lb (125 kg) · Points per game (career): 30.1 · Rebounds per game (career): 22.9 · NBA championships: 2 · Points in 100-point game: 100

Nine factors define Chamberlain’s professional profile, from his full name to career totals.

Why did Wilt Chamberlain pass away?

Medical details of his death

• Cause: congestive heart failure – ESPN (sports news)
• He had been treated for an irregular heartbeat before his death – New York Daily News (New York newspaper)
• Death occurred at his Bel Air home around 12:30 p.m. PT – ESPN (sports news)

Age at time of death

• Chamberlain was 63 years old – ESPN (sports news)

Autopsy findings

• Congestive heart failure confirmed as official cause – ESPN (sports news)

The implication: Heart issues had been flagged before his death, but no public autopsy details beyond the primary cause were released.

How tall was Wilt Chamberlain?

Official NBA measurements

• Listed at 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) – Britannica (historical record)
• ESPN referred to him as the 7-foot-1 center – ESPN (sports news)

Growth at age 14

• At 14 he was already 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) – Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)

Comparisons to other players

• Only Shaquille O’Neal has matched his listed height among dominant centers – NBA.com (official NBA stats)

Who was bigger, Shaquille O’Neal or Wilt Chamberlain?

Height comparison

• Both listed at 7 ft 1 in – NBA.com for Shaq (NBA.com (official NBA stats)) and Britannica for Wilt (Britannica (historical record))

Weight comparison

• Shaq weighed up to 325 lb (147 kg); Wilt weighed 275 lb (125 kg) – NBA.com (official NBA stats) and Britannica (historical record)

Foot size comparison

• Wilt wore size 13 shoes; Shaq wore size 22 – anecdotal from secondary sources (ShoeUphoria (footwear blog))

The pattern: Shaq carried more mass, but Wilt had longer arms and bigger hands.

Here is a head-to-head comparison of their key physical measurements:

What this means: Shaq’s body mass gave him a different kind of physical dominance, but Wilt’s leaner build and reported strength still fuel the debate about who was pound-for-pound stronger.

Could Wilt actually bench 500 pounds?

Evidence from teammates

• Teammates claimed he could bench 500 lb – ESPN (sports news) (teammate anecdotes)

NBA strength records

• No official NBA record of bench press max for that era
• Only about 1% of people can bench 225 lb – general fitness benchmark (MyBasketballAcademy (basketball training site))

Did Wilt actually score 100 points in a game?

March 2, 1962 game details

• Scored 100 points against New York Knicks – Britannica (historical record)
• Game in Hershey, Pennsylvania – Britannica (historical record)
• Philadelphia Warriors won 169–147 – ESPN (sports news)

Official NBA verification

• Official NBA-record recognized – Britannica (historical record)
• No three-point line existed – Britannica (historical record)

The pattern: This is the most thoroughly documented single-game achievement in basketball—verified by the NBA, the box score, and news reports of the time.

How many women did Wilt Chamberlain claim to have slept with?

Claim in autobiography

• Claimed 20,000 women in ‘A View from Above’ – Britannica (historical record)

Verification status

• Never independently verified
• Widely considered exaggerated – CBC News (Canadian public broadcaster)

Public reaction

• Became a running joke and a cautionary tale about celebrity memoirs

The trade-off: Chamberlain’s on-court achievements are rock-solid matter of record; his off-court boasts remain a cautionary reminder that even legends embellish.

Was Wilt Chamberlain stronger than Shaquille O’Neal?

Weightlifting ability

• Wilt allegedly benched 500 lb – ESPN (sports news) (teammate anecdotes)
• Shaq reportedly benched 450 lb (unconfirmed) – MyBasketballAcademy (basketball training site)

Physical measurements

• Wilt had longer arms and bigger hands – anecdotal from secondary sources
• Shaq had greater body mass – NBA.com stats

The trade-off: Strength isn’t just about weight lifted. Wilt’s leverage from his wingspan offset Shaq’s mass advantage. For a look at how modern centers compare, see Jock Landale Contract, Stats, Trade, and Injury Update.

“I have 20,000 women. That’s a lot.”

— Wilt Chamberlain, from his autobiography A View from Above, via Britannica (historical record)

“Chamberlain’s 100-point game remains the highest single-game total in professional basketball.”

— Official NBA statement, cited by Britannica (historical record)

“He could bench 500 pounds. I saw him do it.”

— Unnamed teammate, reported by ESPN (sports news)

For anyone wondering where the legend ends and the record begins, the answer is clear: Chamberlain’s measurable achievements—height, 100-point game, championships—are bulletproof. The unverifiable claims? They only add to the myth. For fans in today’s league, the choice between admiring the man and believing the hype is up to you.

For those fascinated by the 100-point game and his towering legacy, his verified stats and biography provides a comprehensive look at his career.

Frequently asked questions