“Come up and break a record”: Wilt Chamberlain’s family urges NBA stars to chase 100-point scoring stats following Bam Adebayo’s historic feat

It is not easy to reach anywhere closer to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point mark. More than six decades after Chamberlain stunned the basketball world with a 100-point game, the legendary performance still shapes conversations around scoring greatness. The discussion returned to the spotlight after Bam Adebayo erupted for 83 points for the Miami Heat earlier this week. The historic night placed Adebayo closer to Chamberlain’s famous record than any player in years and pushed the Hall of Famer’s legacy back into daily NBA debates.Inside the Chamberlain family, the moment sparked excitement rather than concern about records falling. Relatives of the late icon say they welcome modern stars chasing the milestones he set in his basketball career. As of now, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also nearing one of Chamberlain’s long-standing streaks. For Olin Chamberlain, the excitement surrounding record chases often turns into a family event. The nephew of Wilt Chamberlain keeps an eye on games whenever another mark set by his uncle appears within reach.Olin follows the action from his home in Philadelphia, tracking moments when modern stars approach Chamberlain’s achievements. He remains proud of the long list of records that still belong to his uncle. “He has so many that one won’t affect it,” Olin Chamberlain said with a laugh. “He left such a legacy” (via AP News).Adebayo’s 83-point explosion again pushed Chamberlain’s name into conversations across the league. The Miami star found himself in rare company after the game.Members of Chamberlain’s family believe the legendary center would welcome these challenges. His niece Michelle Smith explained that the Hall of Famer appreciated the game’s growth and the players.“His name is there already. It’s a chance for somebody to come up and break a record and be known to break his records,” Smith said. “They feel good about it, as well. They made him like a God in basketball, so when people break his records, they feel some kind of way. They feel great like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m up next to Wilt now.’”Chamberlain’s impact stretches far beyond his 100-point game. During the 1961-62 season, he averaged an incredible 50.4 points per game and recorded dozens of 50- and 60-point performances. Many of those marks remain untouched. Another Chamberlain milestone now sits within reach for Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder star has scored at least 20 points in 126 consecutive games, tying a record Chamberlain set from 1961 to 1963.If Gilgeous-Alexander reaches 20 points again in the upcoming matchup with the Boston Celtics, he will move ahead in the record books.The streak began on Nov. 1, 2024, when he scored 30 points against the Portland Trail Blazers. Since then, the guard has produced steady offensive performances, averaging 32.5 points during the run. The stretch includes 85 games with at least 30 points and five 50-point outings.Even with history approaching, Gilgeous-Alexander keeps his focus on the season itself.“It’s still a lot to even wrap my head around it," he said of matching Chamberlain's record. “To be honest with you, I try not to even think about it, especially during the season. So much is going on. So many things have to go right.”For Shai, the record is very attainable, but it has never been his goal, as his focus will always be on winning games for the team.