On this day in 1968, Wilt Chamberlain made history by becoming the first center in NBA history to lead the league in assists. With a total of 702 assists and an average of 8.6 assists per game, Chamberlain shattered conventional expectations of what a big man could achieve on the court.
Chamberlain’s decision to focus on playmaking during the 1967-68 season was a deliberate and strategic shift. Known for his scoring dominance—he famously averaged 50.4 points per game in the 1961-62 season—Wilt faced criticism that his high-scoring style didn’t translate to team success. Determined to prove his critics wrong, Chamberlain set out to showcase his versatility and commitment to team play.
Under the guidance of Philadelphia 76ers coach Alex Hannum, Chamberlain embraced a new role as a facilitator. Hannum challenged Wilt to prioritize passing and involve his teammates more in the offense. Chamberlain took the challenge to heart, using his exceptional court vision and basketball IQ to orchestrate plays from the post.
The results spoke for themselves. Chamberlain’s playmaking helped the 76ers secure a 62-20 record that season.
