"I was playing for orange juice" - Moses Malone on how he became the first pro player to join the league straight from high school

Moses Malone made a name for himself as not only the first player in NBA history to step into the league from high school but also as one of the 75 greatest players ever. Back in 1974, coming straight out of high school was a tough task especially since their opponents were way older than them. But “Big Mo” still found a way to be one of the best big men ever, and he credits that to his love for the game and the grind that comes with it.

“Pretty fast. I had God-given talent. No one taught me this game. I taught myself, and I did it because I loved the game. I wasn’t playing for no big money. I was playing for orange juice,” Malone told SLAM . “Then I was on the playground all night. I ain’t never go to parties or nothing. I’d get out of school at three and be out there playing until one in the morning with one streetlight. For real.”

Finding a niche

One reason the three-time MVP turned out to be a champion, MVP, and Hall of Famer was that he made sure to find a niche. Knowing he had the physical tools and competitive spirit to battle inside the paint, Malone perfected the art of rebounding.

The 13-time All-Star put together 11 straight seasons where he averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds. He ranks fifth in NBA history in most ever career rebounds (16,212) and number one in offensive rebounds (6,731). Malone led the league in that aspect seven times and also played the most games (1,212) ever without fouling out.

“To be a great offensive rebounder, you have to think like a defensive rebounder and battle for position while also being in the flow of your offense. And then it’s just being determined. You got to work hard whatever you’re doing and try to be number one and take pride in what you’re doing. You want to be the best at your spot, then you got to work hard, man. A lot of guys don’t work as hard as it gonna take,” Malone added .

Best advice for young stars

The one-time champion, who won the title with the Philadelphia 76ers, also credits his success to the fact that he was surrounded by veterans who helped him navigate the league since his arrival. That’s why Malone made sure to return the favor and do the same for the younger generation, specifically Charles Barkley, who once mentioned that Malone is the most influential person in his basketball career . For Mo, every player — especially one that’s coming off straight from high school — needs to find that guidance in order to make it far in the league.

“ … Got to have that, not just people looking for a gravy train. Then you’re in trouble because you’re not man enough to understand what’s going on. I had my agent up in Washington DC, who’s still with me, and my teammates took me under their wings, especially Ron Boone, Gerald Govan, Wali Jones, and Roger Brown. They brought me up just like I was their son and they really taught me how to grow to be a man in life and how to prepare yourself for every game,” the center said at the time.

Malone may not have gotten the attention that the likes of Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, or even Shaquille O’Neal did, but for him, that’s okay. He was more than content letting his game speak for itself and depict the perfect story of an underdog.

Related: "After a while, it was kinda comical" - Charles Barkley on watching Moses Malone dominate as a rebounder