Happy Wilt Chamberlain Day, Philly! I bet you didn’t know that on July 13, 2023, the mayor declared it as such at the premiere of the documentary on Wilt’s life, ‘Goliath’ (which is still streaming on Showtime a year later).

Any day is a day to remember Wilt, but since it’s official, let’s bring on the memories!

Two days ago, I found an old draft I had never published last year: “The Philly Mayor Declared July 13th Wilt Chamberlain Day, Now What?”

It’s time to celebrate Wilt, that’s what!

I never knew Wilt; he came from a time in my Dad’s life that didn’t matter as much to me as when my Dad coached the 1983 Sixers to victory. My Dad won the championship as a player in 1967 when I wasn’t born yet.

But I grew up and started piecing things together. I became a judge for the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund and grew to know and love Gloria Miller. I met Wali Jones and his 106-year-old Pop and went to Wali’s unveiling of his mural. I stood in for my Dad at the 1983 76ers reunion. Then I went to see the premier of ‘Goliath’ that aired last year and met Olin Chamberlain, Robert Cherry, who wrote Wilt’s biography ‘Wilt: Larger Than Life,’ Donald Hunt, retired sports Hall of Fame writer, and Mrs. Miller, and having known and loved Gloria for all these years, her mother is just as fantastic as Gloria.

My Dad’s teammates shared blood, sweat, and tears and a bond that ran deep—so deep that it has crossed generations.

And here I am, on Wilt Day, proclaiming the love.

The Top 13 Big Man Secrets To Celebrate Wilt:

#1 “I had never seen an athlete that big (what 7 foot 1) and powerful; to say it was intimidating was an understatement.” Billy Cunningham (unless stated otherwise).

Dad forgot how intimidated he was by Wilt once they got on the basketball court and started playing.

#2 “He was the first basketball player I knew who lifted weights.”

Dad had to explain that it was an old wive’s tale at the time that most players felt lifting weights would affect your shooting.

#3 “He did not need a lot of sleep, and he did things players today would die if they ate an apple pie and a quart of orange juice at Halftime. It used to be funny.” Billy Cunningham. Or, “He would eat a whole chicken and drink a quart of 7up before games. Many times.” -Wali Jones

#4 “Nine years ago, Allen Iverson said, ‘We’re talking about practice, not a game; we’re talking about practice.’ Wilt would have endorsed Iverson’s outlook on practice because he was the same way. As his teammates, we prayed he wouldn’t practice because he was disruptive. He didn’t want to be there. He wouldn’t run or work hard, but it was a different story during a game.”

#5 “I remember after we beat Boston in the locker room, and everyone was so excited in 1967. Wilt said, ‘We have one more to go,’ you could hear a pin drop.”

Dad often compared Wilt to Julius Erving; neither wanted to celebrate until their time finally came.

#6 “He was the first NBA player I know of who, when he retired, didn’t need to work. He’d done so well financially.”

This is particularly dear to Dad’s heart because growing up, he’d tell me stories about the basketball players who ended up homeless. It was quite a problem.

#7 “Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the former Olympian, called me when we were going to honor Wilt with the statue, and she asked if she could come. She wouldn’t have been in the Olympics had it not been for Wilt’s support. She flew in with her husband to go to the event.”

#8 “The Sixers were retiring his number (13, obviously), and they gave him $50,000. He donated it to Sonny Hill and the Philly Baker League.”

#9 Paul Arizin, named one of the top 50 players from Philly who went to Villanova, was a teammate of Wilt’s from the Philadelphia Warriors. Wilt had formed a relationship with his granddaughter, who was dying of a brain tumor, and at the Cleveland Top 50 game in ’97, Wilt pushed Paul’s granddaughter around in her wheelchair to ensure she got all the top 50 players’ autographs.

#10 “If you tell anyone you won, I will deny it,” Uncle Wilt told his goddaughter, Gloria Miller, after she beat Wilt and her Dad, Vince Miller, head of the Philadelphia Recreation Department and Wilt’s best friend, in a game of horse. She will never forget the moment. “Although I did win, they did not let me win!” -Gloria Miller.

When I told Dad that story, he laughed and said, “That doesn’t surprise me; all she had to do was shoot foul shots. He could never make those.”

#11 “I believe he is the only player in the NBA and Volleyball Hall of Fame.” Olin Chamberlain, Wilt’s nephew.

Robert Cherry, who wrote Wilt’s autobiography, believed the story might not have ended with basketball and volleyball. If Wilt could have done the pole vault (if the pole vault technology of the day could have supported his 275 pounds), he might have also been a gold medal winner in the decathlon. He was that good of an athlete.

#12 “Wilt used to stand right there (in the pivot), and no one came inside. If they dared to shoot, he’d be batting the ball. So they changed the rule.” -Ernest ‘Pop’ Jones.

Wali Jones’ Dad was 106 years old, and he believed they instituted the three-second rule not just because of Wilt but because of all the big men who, as he said, “Took the sport out of the game.” No one could get the ball past them.

Robert Cherry said, “Bless Pop Jones’s memory.” Not only did they implement the three-second rule because of Wilt, but they also widened the lanes. By widening the lane they got Wilt further away.

#13 Not to state the obvious, but July 13 is Wilt Chamberlain Day!

My wish for today is that we can make something of Wilt Chamberlain Day–let’s remember the tall tails and the legend himself.

It’s never too late to celebrate Wilt!