On this day in Boston Celtics history, basketball legend Peter “Pete” Press Maravich died unexpectedly while playing a game of pickup basketball due to an undetected heart condition in 1988.
Born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania in 1947 to mother Helen Gravor Maravich and father Peter “Press” Maravich — a basketball star in his own right, Piston Pete (as he was called as a nickname) picked up his father’s talents and then some as a player, whom he played for at Louisiana State University. His elite offensive talents and amazing handle quickly got the attention of professional teams as a two-time National College Player of the Year and was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 1970.
