 Even far beyond his playing days , Chamberlain was a very fit person . In his mid @-@ forties , he was able to humble rookie Magic Johnson in practice , and even in the 1980s , he flirted with making a comeback in the NBA . In the 1980 – 81 NBA season , coach Larry Brown recalled that the 45 @-@ year @-@ old Chamberlain had received an offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers . When Chamberlain was 50 , the New Jersey Nets had the same idea , and Chamberlain declined again . However , he would continue to epitomize physical fitness for years to come , including participating in several marathons . 
