A Brief Look at Wilt Chamberlain's Minutes Per Game Averages

Zach Reding is an experienced, NSCA certified strength and conditioning coach serving the Wichita State University men’s golf and men’s tennis teams. Zach Reding has also provided support in the development of strength and conditioning programs for the men’s basketball and baseball teams.

Wilt Chamberlain owns a number of all time National Basketball Association (NBA) records, though his most impressive achievements may have more to do with time spent on the court rather than points scored or rebounds secured. Chamberlain averaged 46.4 minutes per game over the course of a 72-game rookie season in Philadelphia. By comparison, LeBron James led the league at 36.9 minutes per game for the 2017-2018 season. James was one of six players to eclipse the 35 minute mark.

Unbelievably, Chamberlain’s minutes per game would increase for the next two seasons, including a historic 48.5 minutes per game average in 1961-1962. Playing 80 games that year, Chamberlain was active for virtually every minute of play, plus several overtime periods, allowing him to average more minutes than are played in a regulation game. Chamberlain led the league in minutes per game for his first five seasons and nine total times during his career. He never averaged less than 42 minutes per game, a testament to his strength and conditioning.

Wichita State’s M.Ed. Exercise Science Program: An Overview

A successful collegiate baseball player, Zach Reding earned a scholarship from Texas Tech University before playing at Wichita State University and Grayson County Community College. Zach Reding most recently served as a strength and conditioning specialist for men’s athletics at Wichita State, where he graduated in May 2018 with a master in education (M.Ed.) with an emphasis on exercise science.

The M.Ed. in exercise science at Wichita State requires applicants to have completed five prerequisites: chemistry, human anatomy, exercise and sports nutrition, kinesiology, and physiology. Once accepted, students must complete at least 34 credit hours of coursework. Although specialty courses depend on the area of expertise, students must complete core courses in recent literature, fitness assessments, advanced physiology and anatomy, and research methods. In addition, students must complete an applied learning or research experience requirement. This requirement can be met through an internship, a thesis, or a course examining research methods in the profession. 

Located in Kansas on a 330-acre campus, Wichita State provides more than 50 doctoral and master’s degree programs.

NSCA CSCS Certification Changes Announced

Zach Reding, Wichita State University graduate assistant with the school's sports teams, has a professional history in the field of training and conditioning in sports such as football, volleyball, and women’s soccer. Zach Reding participates in many professional organizations for athletic trainers, including the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

NSCA has announced changes to its certification process to begin in 2030. These changes will enable NSCA to ensure that all credential holders have the range of knowledge and skills necessary to be effective in the field and meet industry standards.

Once these changes go into effect, all Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) candidates must hold a bachelor's degree in a field related to strength and conditioning or be a senior in a degree program accredited by the NSCA. These changes will not affect current CSCS credential holders or those who earn the credential prior to the 2030 target implementation date.