Pistol Pete Maravich is generally believed to be the best college basketball player ever. While at Lousiana State University, Maravich averaged an amazing 44.2 points per game under the tutelage of his father Press Maravich who trained him in ball handling and shooting from a very young age sometimes making him dribble two balls outside of a moving car. It is difficult to fathom the artistry and grace with which he played the game. Pete went on to have a very successful career in the NBA playing with the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans/Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics. A leg injury forced him retire in 1980, at which point he became a recluse for two year practicing Yoga, studying Hinduism and UFOs.
In 1988, while warming up to play a pickup basketball game, the Pistol collapsed and died of a heart attack due to a congenital heart defect fulfilling a prophecy he had as a young man. At age 23 Pete said, "I don't want to play 10 years [in the NBA] and then die of a heart attack when I'm 40."
A fascinated new biography about Maravich was published recently by Mark Kreigel. If you're a basketball fan, pick up this excellent look into a very interesting character.
Here's a great highlight mix so you can get an idea of what I mean:
