But voices of clarity and accurate contemporary accounts of Wilt Chamberlain’s historic accomplishment do exist, including from Tom Meschery, a rookie forward on the 1961-62 Philadelphia Warriors. Meschery wrote about Wilt’s most famous game in his memoir. In a recent email inquiry, Meschery also responded to questions about circumstances surrounding the first, and only, triple-digit scoring effort in league history. A longtime colleague suggested I include the following item in my inquiry: In the wake of Adebayo’s 83-point game, I have heard people saying, the Warriors kept fouling the Knicks in Wilt’s 100-point game to get him the ball, too. The thing is, I don’t ever remember hearing or reading that anywhere. A few hours later, Meschery replied to my email. “Lots of conspiracy crap about Wilt’s game,” wrote Meschery, who turned 87 in October 2025. “Here’s what the story: The Knicks stunk; the Wizards stunk. No need to foul with a 24-second clock. Knicks kept fouling Wilt, and Wilt kept making free throws proving there is a God. “Wilt asked Coach (Frank) McGuire to take him out of the game midway (through the) fourth quarter. Coach had predicted Wilt would score 100 in his first public statement after being hired. So Coach told Wilt, ‘No.’ McGuire’s ego. Wilt, of course, didn’t argue.”
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA veteran calls out ‘lots of conspiracy crap’ around Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point night
Reporting by HoopsHype / Hoops Hype
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
