Library

Wilt, 1962: The Night of 100 Points and the Dawn of a New Era

Gary Pomerantz '88

Crown Publishing

  • 2005 |
  • ALUMNI |
  • BOOK |
  • knight-wallace |

On the night of March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, right up the street from the chocolate factory, Wilt Chamberlain, a young and striking athlete celebrated as The Big Dipper, scored 100 points in a game against the New York Knickerbockers. As historic and revolutionary as the achievement was, it remains shrouded in myth. The game was not televised, no New York sportswriters showed up, and a 14-year old local boy ran onto the court when Chamberlain scored his 100th point, shook his hand, and then ran off with the basketball. In telling the story of this remarkable night, author Gary M. Pomerantz brings to life an entire lost world of American sports. Pomerantz tracked down Knicks and Philadelphia Warriors, fans, journalists, team officials, other NBA stars of the era, and basketball historians – he conducted more than 250 interviews, in all – to recreate in painstaking detail the game that announced the Dipper’s greatness.” In telling the story of this remarkable night, author Gary M. Pomerantz brings to life an entire lost world of American sports.” Named an Editors’ Choice selection by The New York Times Sunday Book Review.

Buy this book »