Moses Malone - Immediate Success

Malone sparked a bidding war among more than 300 colleges after he led Petersburg High School to 50 straight wins and two consecutive state championships. Always self-possessed, Malone told Playboy the feeding frenzy did not faze him. "Pressure? Pressure where? It was fun! I traveled every time I got a break. I visited at least 26 schools. I grew up thinking that Petersburg, Virginia was the best part of the world; but when I started visiting all those colleges, I realized Petersburg was the only part of the world I'd seen. It didn't change my feeling none about Petersburg, but things were a lot different on the West Coast, in the Southwest, in Hawaii, all over."

Finally choosing to enroll at the University Maryland in order to be near his mother, Malone attended classes for two and a half days before learning he had been drafted by the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association. He signed a $3 million, five year contract and proved to be an immediate success. Playing guard until he bulked up enough to withstand the hammering at center, Malone averaged an amazing 18 points and 14 rebounds as a rookie.