Moses Malone entered the professional basketball circuit directly from Petersburg High School in 1974, becoming the first player in the modern era to bypass the collegiate system. His transition from an undersized forward to a dominant center anchored a career spanning two decades in both the American Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association until his retirement in 1995.
Professional Origins
Selected in the third round of the 1974 ABA Draft by the Utah Stars, Malone signed a five-year, $1 million contract at age 19. He earned All-Rookie and All-Star honors during his two seasons in the ABA, which included a stint with the Spirits of St. Louis. Following the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, he transitioned to the NBA via a brief period with the Buffalo Braves before moving to the Houston Rockets.
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During his six-year tenure with the Houston Rockets, Malone established himself as a premier rebounder and interior scorer. He earned his first NBA Most Valuable Player award in 1979 after leading the league in rebounding. He continued this performance by winning a second league MVP title in 1982 and leading the Rockets to the 1981 NBA Finals.
Championship Success
Traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for the 1982-1983 season, Malone secured his third career NBA Most Valuable Player award. He led the team to an NBA championship that year, earning the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in the process. His consistent production earned him selections to the All-NBA Team in 1979, 1982, 1983, and 1985.
Career Conclusion
Malone later played for the Washington Bullets, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and San Antonio Spurs. Over his combined professional career, he recorded 29,580 points and 17,834 total rebounds. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 and remains recognized for his record-setting performance in offensive rebounding.
Fast facts
- Born: 1955, Petersburg
- Died: 2015
- NBA MVP Awards: 1979, 1982, 1983
- 1983 NBA Finals MVP
- Final resting place: Memorial Oaks Cemetery
- NBA All-Defensive Team: 1983
Questions readers ask
Which teams did Moses Malone play for in the NBA?
He played for the Buffalo Braves, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Bullets, Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, and San Antonio Spurs.
How many times was Moses Malone named NBA MVP?
He received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award three times, specifically in 1979, 1982, and 1983.
Achievements
- NBA Most Valuable Player Award
- Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
