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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Olin Chamberlain will have the Oklahoma City Thunder game on TV and his phone nearby, just he does any time one of his uncle’s NBA records is getting challenged.
The family group chat tends to blow up a bit each time Wilt Chamberlain – that’s “Uncle Dippy” to Olin and others close to the late Hall of Famer – might have another record toppled.
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The latest instance comes Thursday night when reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attempts against Boston to make it 127 straight games with at least 20 points. Chamberlain holds the record of 126 games from 1961 to 1963 — he even scored at least 20 points every game of the 1961-62 season for the Philadelphia Warriors.
Rooting on Gilgeous-Alexander from his Philadelphia home, 50-year-old Olin — his father, Oliver was Wilt’s brother — has taken an active interest in keeping Chamberlain’s legacy alive, including through a memorial scholarship fund. If one record falls, no worries, Olin says. There are about five dozen more NBA records that belong to Chamberlain.
“He has so many that one won’t affect it,” Olin Chamberlain said with a laugh. “He left such a legacy.”
Turns out, today’s NBA stars are doing just fine keeping Chamberlain’s name in the headlines.
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Chamberlain’s record of 100 points in a game has stood since 1962.
Miami’s Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game, Tuesday night against Washington. That again put Chamberlain — 53 years after he played his last season — and his achievements at the forefront of the NBA. Kobe Bryant is No. 3 on the list with 81.
“Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy,” Adebayo said.
Chamberlain’s family remained proud of all that Wilt achieved on and off the court.
Michelle Smith, one of Chamberlain’s nieces, noted that the former 76ers star enjoyed getting involved in the community and never turned down an autograph request. She also believed that — unlike some former greats who want to stay cemented in the record book forever — that her uncle would be rooting hard for Gilgeous-Alexander to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/wilt-chamberlains-friends-family-root-185243001.html
Author : DAN GELSTON
Publish date : 2026-03-12 18:52:00
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