Wilt Chamberlain is, without a doubt, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. A literal and figurative giant in the NBA, his on-court dominance led to rule changes, but his life outside of basketball was just as legendary. Chamberlain was larger than life, with a personality full of contradictions—part athlete, part playboy, part daredevil, and all-around unstoppable force. Here are some of the wildest and most unbelievable stories from his extraordinary life.
1. Yes, He Really Did Sleep with Around 20,000 Women
Perhaps the most infamous claim Chamberlain ever made was that he had slept with around 20,000 women. In his book A View from Above, he stated that he never engaged in infidelity, always making sure his partners were single. Whether or not the number is exaggerated, his reputation as a ladies’ man is undeniable.
2. He Almost Boxed Muhammad Ali
Chamberlain nearly stepped into the ring with Muhammad Ali in 1971. The match was scheduled for July 26, but during a press conference, Ali repeatedly taunted him by saying, “Timbeeeeer,” referencing Chamberlain’s height. Unamused, Wilt walked out, spoke with his lawyers, and canceled the fight.
3. He Could Have Been a Delivery Man
After his NBA career, Chamberlain encountered two deliverymen struggling with a 600-pound load. Without hesitation, he picked up the massive package, carried it out of the elevator, and walked off as if nothing had happened.
4. He Broke a Player’s Toe with a Dunk
During a game, Chamberlain dunked the ball so forcefully that it went through the hoop, hit Johnny “Red” Kerr in the foot, and broke his toe. Whether it was Kerr’s brittle bones or Chamberlain’s superhuman strength, it remains one of the craziest NBA injuries ever.
5. He Was Known to Pick Up Grown Men
At 7’1” and immensely strong, Chamberlain had a habit of lifting full-grown men for fun. Olympic gold medalist Pat Powers recalled seeing him pick up a 240-pound man and carry him over a railing just to save him the trouble of walking.
6. He and His Mom Were Daredevils
Chamberlain loved jumping off rooftops into pools—and his mother joined him in the daredevil antics. His sister Barbara recounted how their mom, at 60 years old, would leap off buildings into pools with him in Los Angeles.
7. He Never Fouled Out of a Game
In today’s NBA, where physicality and aggressive defense are common, it’s almost impossible to believe that Wilt Chamberlain never fouled out of an NBA game. Considering he played in an era where referees weren’t shy about calling fouls, this stat is almost unbelievable. At 7’1″ and one of the most dominant players in league history, you’d think opponents would have constantly tried to bait him into fouls. But whether it was his disciplined play, the respect he commanded, or his sheer dominance that kept him out of foul trouble, the fact remains—Wilt never fouled out.
8. Wilt Had an Interesting Way of Changing Tires
Chamberlain’s strength was the stuff of legend, and one of the best examples comes from his teenage years. According to NBA Public Relations Director Haskell Cohen, Wilt worked as a bellhop at Kutsher’s Hotel. When guests had a flat tire and lacked a car jack, young Wilt had a simple solution—he would literally lift the back end of the car himself while someone changed the tire. Imagine having that kind of strength as a teenager! 
9. “No More Layups”
Long after his retirement, Wilt still commanded respect on the basketball court. During a pickup game at UCLA in the 1980s, he played alongside legendary coach Larry Brown and against Magic Johnson. According to Brown, Magic called a few questionable fouls and goaltending violations on Chamberlain. Frustrated, Wilt declared, “There will be no more layups in this gym.” True to his word, he blocked every shot that came his way for the rest of the game. Even Magic Johnson, one of the greatest players of all time, couldn’t get a shot past him.
10. Wilt Was a Bit Cheap
Despite his larger-than-life presence, Wilt Chamberlain was apparently a little tight with his money. Arnold Schwarzenegger once shared a story about Chamberlain’s reluctance to pick up the bill. During a dinner with fellow giant Andre the Giant, Wilt pretended he was going to pay—only for Andre to physically remove Schwarzenegger from the situation and cover the bill himself. While it might not be the most flattering story, it adds to the legend of Wilt’s unique personality.
11. The NBA Changed Rules Because of Him
Wilt Chamberlain was so dominant that the NBA had to adjust its rules to make the game fairer for everyone else. The league widened the key (also known as the “paint”) to limit his effectiveness near the basket. He also attempted a free-throw technique where he jumped and released the ball while crossing the foul line—forcing the NBA to change the rules to ban that move.
Chamberlain’s life was filled with legendary feats, both on and off the court. From rewriting the NBA record books to living a life of adventure and excess, Wilt the Stilt was truly one of a kind.
