Pettit was a two-time All-American and a three-time All-SEC selection at Louisiana State University where he average 27.8 points per game. A tireless worker and a lean, tough and graceful competitor, Pettit led the LSU Tigers to the NCAA Final Four in 1953. Pettit had an 11-year NBA career with the Hawks. He played for the team in Milwaukee, where he was drafted and in St. Louis, where he led them to the NBA Championship in 1958. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star and was named the All-Star game MVP four times. His NBA career totals include over 20,000 points and over 12,000 rebounds. He was selected for NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Owns a financial consulting company in New Orleans.