Wilt Chamberlain Once Explained Why He Never Had Any Children

Wilt Chamberlain had everything in more ways than one for those looking at his life from the outside. He was more athletically gifted than perhaps any player has been in NBA history. He was one of the first true basketball superstars, he won MVPs and championships. And even though he was often compared to his rival Bill Russell, whose team enjoyed more success, Wilt had a storied career himself. 

And his star status allowed him to enjoy a few other perks of life as well. Everyone knows the rumors of his many dalliances with women. Wilt Chamberlain has spoken about the idea that he was involved with 20,000 women in his life. And while that number might be a little exaggerated, the truth remains that Wilt was the ultimate bachelor. So while many former NBA stars have children playing in the NBA now, that never happened with Chamberlain. 

Wilt Chamberlain Just Didn't Feel The Need To Have Children

Wilt Chamberlain could easily have raised children if he wanted to. Even if they weren't his own, he was known to date women that had kids. Legendary movie director Quentin Tarantino revealed that Wilt Chamberlain was involved with his mom at some point. But he had no desire to do so, indicating as much in an interview with Sports Illustrated years after his retirement in 1986. 

"Like free throws, the subject of Chamberlain's bachelorhood forever clings to him. 'I just don't think I'm the sort of person who could be with one soul,' he explains. 'I'm too individualistic . . . and too gregarious with the young ladies. And I'll tell you this, too, my man: I have no need to raise any little Wilties. Not any -- especially in a world where overpopulation is our biggest problem.'"

There may not be another star in the history of the league that was as sure of themselves and what they wanted as Wilt Chamberlain. The man seemed to have been quite clear on how he wanted to live his life and did exactly that despite whatever anyone else had to say about it.

NBA fans like to joke that Wilt's promiscuous nature must mean that he has children he didn't know about it that made it to the NBA. But as far as the man himself was concerned, it was never something he wanted to do, and he stuck by that for his entire life.