In the world of basketball, there are a few select players who are considered the best of the best. These players have dazzled fans with their skills, won championships, and established themselves as some of the greatest athletes in history.
Here is a list of 50 of the greatest basketball players of all time. Whether you’re a fan of the sport or not, these athletes are worth taking note of.
The 50 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
These are the 50 best basketball players ever to walk planet Earth.
#50 David Robinson
The Admiral was a dominating force in the world of basketball during his time with the San Antonio Spurs. Standing at 7-foot-1, Robinson was a physical specimen who could do it all on the court.
Robinson excelled at basketball from an early age and played on his high school’s varsity team as a freshman. He went on to attend the United States Naval Academy, where he continued to play basketball and earned All-American honors. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
After graduation, Robinson served two years in the United States Navy, during which time he continued to play basketball for the Navy’s team. He then joined the San Antonio Spurs, who had drafted him with the first overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft.
Robinson quickly became one of the best players in the NBA, winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 1988 and being named to the All-Star team in each of his first 10 seasons. He was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice and led the league in rebounding on three occasions. In 1995, he was named the NBA MVP after averaging 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.
Robinson helped lead the Spurs to two NBA Championships, in 1999 and 2003. He was named the Finals MVP in both of those years. He retired from the NBA in 2003 as one of the greatest players in league history.
Fun Fact: David Robinson was originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the first overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, but he didn’t actually join the team until two years later due to his commitment to serve in the United States Navy.
Pippen is best known for his time with the Chicago Bulls, where he won six NBA championships alongside Michael Jordan. He was a seven-time All-Star. Would he have been considered great if he never played with Micheal Jordan? It’s debatable, but Pippen was still a very talented player in his own right.
Pippen was born on September 25, 1965 in Hamburg, Arkansas. He grew up poor and struggled in school, but found his passion for basketball at an early age. He honed his skills on the playgrounds of Chicago and eventually earned a spot on the University of Central Arkansas’ basketball team.
Pippen left college after his junior year to enter the 1987 NBA Draft, where he was selected fifth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics. He was then traded to the Chicago Bulls for Olden Polynice and future draft picks. Bad trade for Seattle.
Fun Fact: Pippen was the first Bulls player ever to hit 100 three-pointers in a season.
#48 Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. He was a 10-time All-Star, a five-time All-NBA First Team selection, and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team member.
Kidd won an Olympic gold medal in 1996 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020. He is currently the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
During his playing career, Kidd was known for his excellent vision and passing ability. He is one of only four players in NBA history with more than 15,000 points, 8,000 assists, and 6,000 rebounds.
Fun Fact: When he was young, he frequented the city courts in Oakland, where he often found himself going up against future NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton.
#47 Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce, nicknamed “The Truth”, is an American former professional basketball player who played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a ten-time NBA All-Star and a member of the NBA’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s. He won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008, as well as two Olympic gold medals with Team USA in the 2000 and 2008 Summer Olympics.
Pierce played high school basketball at Inglewood High School, where he was a McDonald’s All-American, before attending Kansas University. He entered the NBA draft after one year of college and was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA draft. He was the Celtics’ starting small forward for all but one season from 1999–2017. Pierce averaged over 20 points per game in 10 of his 19 seasons, and served as the team captain for 12 seasons, longer than any other player in franchise history.
Pierce had many clutch moments during his time with the Celtics, including scoring 48 points in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008 to help lead his team to the NBA Finals. He also helped Boston advance to the NBA Finals in 2010 and 2012, but they lost both times to the Los Angeles Lakers. After being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013, Pierce scored a season-high 44 points in his return to TD Garden as a visitor in 2014. He later signed with the Washington Wizards and spent two seasons with them before rejoining the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017. He announced his retirement from playing professional basketball on September 26, 2017.
Fun Fact: Pierce is one of only three players, along with Larry Bird and John Havlicek, to have played in at least 10 NBA Finals. He is also the only player to have started and won an NBA Finals game for three different franchises.
#46 Rick Barry
Rick Barry was one of the greatest basketball players of his generation. He was known for his unorthodox style of play, which included shooting free throws underhanded. He also had a great sense of humor, which made him a favorite among fans and reporters alike.
Barry began his pro career with the San Francisco Warriors in 1966. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s best players, winning the Rookie of the Year award. He helped lead the Warriors to the NBA Finals in 1967, where they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The following year, Barry joined the Houston Rockets. He played two seasons with the Rockets before being traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1971. He helped lead the Warriors to the NBA Finals in 1974 and 1975, winning the championship in 1975.
Barry retired from basketball in 1980. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Fun Fact: Barry is the only player to have been named Finals MVP for two different teams. He won the award with the Warriors in 1975 and with the Rockets in 1981.
#45 Jerry West
Jerry West is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history. He was a 14-time All-Star and a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. He is also the only player in NBA history to be named Finals MVP despite being on the losing team.
West began his pro career with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1960. He quickly became one of the league’s best players, helping the Lakers to nine NBA Finals appearances. He was named Finals MVP in 1969, despite the Lakers losing to the Boston Celtics.
West retired from basketball in 1974. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
Fun Fact: Jerry West is the silhouette for the NBA Logo that they currently use
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#44 Clyde Drexler
Clyde Drexler was one of the most talented and popular basketball players of his generation. He was a ten-time All-Star, and won an NBA Championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995.
Drexler was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 22, 1962. He was drafted out of the University of Houston by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 14th overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft. Drexler quickly became one of the Blazers’ top players and was named to the All-Rookie Team in his first season. He averaged 20.8 points per game during his second season and helped lead Portland to the NBA Finals in 1990.
Drexler was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1995 and won an NBA Championship with them that same year. He retired from basketball in 1998 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
Fun Fact: Clyde Drexler is one of only four players to have their jersey retired by two teams, both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets.
#43 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is one of the most electrifying players in the NBA. He’s known for his explosive dunks, his tenacious defense, and his ability to take over a game.
Westbrook was born in Long Beach, California and grew up in south central LA. He played his high school basketball at Leuzinger High School, where he was a four-star recruit. He then went on to play college basketball at UCLA.
Westbrook entered the NBA draft after his sophomore year of college and was drafted fourth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008. He has also played for Houston, Washington, and the Lakers.
Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star and a two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. He was also the 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player. He is one of only four players in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season.
Westbrook has won two Olympic gold medals as a member of Team USA. He also has a number of endorsement deals, including with Nike, Foot Locker, and Upper Deck.
Fun Fact: Westbrook is married to his college sweetheart, Nina Earl. The couple have two children together.
#42 George Gervin
George Gervin was one of the most electrifying players in NBA history. A 6-foot-7 small forward/shooting guard, Gervin was nicknamed “The Iceman” for his cool demeanor on the court. He played with a lethal combination of speed and agility and had a trademark finger-roll move that was almost impossible to stop.
Gervin was drafted by the Virginia Squires of the ABA in 1974, but he opted to join the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA when they acquired his rights later that year. He quickly became one of the league’s top scorers, averaging more than 30 points per game in each of his first four seasons. In 1978, Gervin won the NBA scoring title with a then-record 28.3 points per game average.
Gervin was named to the NBA All-Star team 12 times, and retired from the NBA in 1986 with a career average of 26.2 points per game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.
George Gervin was one of the most talented players of his generation, and his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats is secure.
Fun Fact: Gervin’s older brother, Derrick, also played in the NBA. Derrick was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1970 and played five seasons in the league.
#41 Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit was one of the greatest basketball players of his generation. A 6-foot-9 power forward, he was a two-time NBA MVP and a four-time NBA All-Star. He was also one of the first big men to show that you could be a great scorer and rebounder without having to be a brute force. Pettit was a gentle giant off the court and was known for his kindness and generosity.
He was an excellent shooter and had a soft touch around the basket. He was also a great passer and was known for his beautiful outlet passes that would start fast breaks. Pettit was one of the first players to truly understand how to play the game of basketball, and his influence is still felt today. He passed away in 2015, but his legacy will live on forever.
Fun Fact: Pettit’s nickname was “The Rifleman” because of his deadly accurate jump shot.
#40 James Harden
Who can forget that stretch in the 2018-19 season when Harden scored over 30 points for 32 games in a row!?! That’s an NBA record and the person in second place isn’t even close, with 16 held by Kobe Bryant.
James Harden, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on August 26, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. Harden played college basketball for Arizona State University before being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the third overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2010. In 2012, he was traded to the Houston Rockets. Harden became one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers and earned recognition as the best shooting guard in the league, winning the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) in 2018. He has been named to eight All-Star teams and nine All-NBA teams. He is also a two-time member of the United States men’s national basketball team, winning gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2014 FIBA World Cup.
While he has yet to win a championship and his post-season play has come into question, there is no denying his greatness.
Fun Fact: Harden is a huge fan of rap music and has said that his favorite rapper is Lil Wayne. He even has a tattoo of Weezy on his arm!
#39 John Havlicek
You young bucks out there probably don’t even know about John Havlicek. Sit back and learn.
John Havlicek was one of the most versatile players in NBA history. A 6-foot-5 guard/forward, he could play any position on the court and was equally adept at scoring, passing, and rebounding. He was also an excellent defender and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times.
Havlicek was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1962, but he opted to play for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He quickly became one of the league’s top players and was named to the NBA All-Star team eight times. He was also named the NBA Finals MVP in 1974, when he helped lead the Celtics to a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Havlicek retired from the NBA in 1978, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
He also has a finals record of 8-0 which is unheard of nowadays.
Fun Fact: Havlicek is one of only three players in NBA history to win back-to-back Finals MVPs. He did it in 1974 and 1975.
#38 Isiah Thomas
Time to talk about the “Bad Boys”. Isiah Thomas led those Pistons to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. The ’89 title was especially sweet as they had to go through the “showtime” Lakers of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Byron Scott. It was also Isiah Thomas and the Bad Boys that kept Micheal Jordan out of the finals for years.
Thomas was born on April 30, 1961, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, and led his team to the state championship game in 1979. Afterward, he enrolled at the University of Indiana, where he played college basketball for two seasons. Thomas was drafted by the Pistons with the second overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft. He quickly emerged as one of the NBA’s top players, and was named to the All-Star team in his rookie season. Thomas went on to lead the Pistons to back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990 and was named the Finals MVP in both years. He also helped the United States win a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
Thomas’s career came to an abrupt end in 1994 when he was involved in a gambling scandal. He was subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors, and he retired from the NBA in 1998. Thomas was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Fun Fact: Thomas is the only player in NBA history to score 1,000 points in a season without starting a game. He did it in 1982-83, coming off the bench in all 82 games for the Pistons.
#37 Chris Paul
Chris Paul may not have a ring thus far, but he does have 2 Olympic gold medals for what that is worth and even after all these years, he is still one of the best in the game.
What makes Chris Paul so great is not only his vision on the court but his unselfish play. He always seems to make the right play, whether it is finding the open man or taking the shot himself.
He is a true floor general and one of the best point guards we have ever seen.
Fun Fact: Chris Paul is left-handed but shoots with his right hand.
#36 John Stockton
While John Stockton was never able to get past Micheal Jordan, he is still one of the greatest players ever to play the game.
John Stockton is the all-time leader in assists and steals, a true testament to his fantastic basketball IQ.
Stockton was born in Spokane, Washington, and played collegiately at Gonzaga University. He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 1984 and went on to play his entire NBA career with the franchise. Stockton was a 10-time All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
Even though he was never able to win an NBA title, John Stockton is still considered one of the greatest point guards of all time. His skill set and basketball IQ were second to none, and he was a true leader on the court. Stockton is a legend in Utah and will always be remembered as one of the greatest Jazz players of all time.
Fun Fact: Stockton has been raising people’s eyebrows lately with some of his claims
#35 Bob Cousey
A 6x NBA champion, Bob Cousey is one of the most decorated players in NBA history. He was a true pioneer of the game and was one of the first players to really embrace the 3-point shot.
Cousy was born in New York City and played collegiately at Boston College. He was drafted by the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in 1950 and was later traded to the Celtics. Cousey would go on to play 13 seasons with the Celtics, winning 6 NBA titles. He was a 10-time All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971.
Bob Cousey is considered one of the greatest point guards of all-time. He was a true pioneer of the game and helped popularize the 3-point shot. Cousey was also an excellent passer and was one of the best playmakers in NBA history.
Fun Fact: After his playing days ended, he spent 34 years as a Celtics TV analyst.
#34 Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. He can score, rebound, and play defense at an elite level.
He was a pivotal piece to the Toronto Raptors winning their first-ever NBA title, and he was named Finals MVP. That said, he hasn’t really done much since if we are being honest.
Leonard is now a member of the Los Angeles Clippers and it will be interesting to see if he can recapture that magic from a few years ago.
Fun Fact: Leonard was born in Los Angeles but raised in Toronto.
#33 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a professional basketball player who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. He was born in Athens, Greece, on December 6, 1994. Giannis started playing basketball at a young age and quickly developed into a talented player.
He moved to the United States in 2013 to play college basketball at the University of Dayton. From there, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft. Giannis has quickly emerged as one of the best players in the NBA and is currently one of the league’s brightest young stars.
He was named an All-Star for the first time in 2017 and was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2018. He has also won back to back MVP’s and Defensive Player of the year awards.
Fun Fact: Giannis is Greek and was born in Athens, he is also known as the Greek Freak.
#32 Gary Payton
Gary Payton is one of the best defensive players of all time. He was a 9-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Payton is also the only player in NBA history to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award, the All-Star Game MVP Award, and the NBA Championship.
Payton was born in Oakland, California and played collegiately at Oregon State University. He was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1990 and would go on to play 13 seasons with the franchise. Payton was a true leader on the court and helped the Sonics win their only NBA title in 1979.
Fun Fact: Payton is known for his trash-talking ability and once got into a verbal fight with Michael Jordan.
#31 Walt Frazier
Walt Frazier is a retired American basketball player. He played for the New York Knicks from 1967 to 1977 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Frazier was known for his flashy style of play and was one of the first players to popularize the now-iconic afro hairstyle. He was also known for his tough defense and was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team seven times.
Frazier averaged 19.3 points per game during his career and was a two-time NBA All-Star. He was a key player on the Knicks team that won the NBA Championship in 1970 and 1973.
After his playing career, Frazier became a television commentator and analyst. He currently works as the color commentator for the Knicks on the MSG Network.
Fun Fact: Frazier was nicknamed “Clyde” by his friends because he resembled Warren Beatty’s character in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde.
#30 Kevin Mchale
Not gonna lie, Kevin McHale doesn’t even look the slightest bit athletic. He looks like a tall accountant. That said, the man could play some basketball. He was a 6-time NBA All-Star and won two NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics.
McHale was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, and played collegiately at the University of Minnesota. He was drafted by the Celtics in 1980 and would go on to play his entire 13-year career with the franchise. McHale was known for his low-post scoring and was one of the best offensive players of his generation. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Fun Fact: McHale once scored 56 points in a game against the Detroit Pistons, a franchise record that still stands today.
#29 Reggie Miller
In the era before Steph Curry, it was Reggie Miller that was the 3-point king. Reggie Miller is one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. He was drafted 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers in 1987 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. Miller was known for his clutch shooting and ability to hit big shots in pressure situations. He retired in 2005 as the NBA’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made at the time. Miller was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
He stayed with the Pacers his entire career and didn’t ring chase toward the end like a lot of great players who have never won a championship tend to do.
Fun Fact: Reggie Miller is the brother of actress Cheryl Miller.
#28 Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes is one of the best players in Houston Rockets’ history. He was a dominant force in the paint and was one of the best rebounders in the league.
He was drafted by the San Diego Rockets in 1968 and went on to play 12 seasons with the franchise. Hayes was a 2-time NBA Champion and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Fun Fact: In 2007, Elvin became a sheriff’s deputy in Liberty County, Texas. Fulfilling a childhood dream.
#27 Dwayne Wade
Dwayne Wade was one of the best players of the 2000s. He played for the Miami Heat from 2003 to 2016 and was a key member of the team that won the NBA Championship in 2006 with Shaquille O’Neill. Wade was also a member of the Heat team that started the Superteam Era along with Chris Bosh and Lebron James. They played together for 4 years, made it to the finals all four years, and won 2 of them.
Wade was born in Chicago, Illinois and played collegiately at Marquette University. He was drafted 5th overall by the Heat in 2003 and would go on to have a Hall of Fame career. Wade was a 12-time NBA All-Star and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2006. He won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the USA Basketball team in 2008.
After his time with the Heat, Wade played for the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to Miami for his final season in 2018-19. He announced his retirement at the end of the season.
Fun Fact: Dwayne Wade is the cousin of NFL player Jason Taylor.
#26 George Miken
George is another great player that a lot of you have likely never heard of due to the era that he played, most of us weren’t even alive.
George Miken was one of the first truly dominant big men in NBA history. He was a 6-foot-10 center who completely dominated the league in the 1940s and 50s. He was a 5-time NBA Champion and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. Mikan is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in league history.
Mikan was born in Joliet, Illinois and played collegiately at DePaul University. He was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1948 and would go on to have a Hall of Fame career. Mikan was a 6-time NBA All-Star and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 1950.
Fun Fact: George Mikan was the first player in NBA history to score more than 10,000 points in a career.
#25 Patrick Ewing
We can’t forget about Patrick Ewing from those great Knicks teams of the 90s. He was the number one overall pick in 1985 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career. Ewing was one of the best players of his generation and is considered one of the greatest centers in NBA history.
Ewing was born in Jamaica and played collegiately at Georgetown University. He was drafted by the Knicks in 1985 (which eneded up in a massive conspiracy about it being rigged) and would go on to play for the team for 15 seasons. Ewing was an 11-time NBA All-Star and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1986. He won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the USA Basketball team in 1984.
Fun Fact: ESPN ranked Ewing as the 16th best college player of all time.
#24 Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best international players in NBA history. He was born in Germany and played his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks. Nowitzki was drafted 9th overall by the Mavericks in 1998 and would go on to have a Hall of Fame career.
Nowitzki was a 14-time NBA All-Star and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2011 when he led the Mavericks to their only NBA Championship in franchise history. He is the tallest player ever to win an NBA Championship and is widely considered one of the greatest shooters in league history.
Nowitzki retired after 21 seasons with the Mavericks in 2019. He is the franchise leader in points, games played, and minutes played.
Fun Fact: Dirk Nowitzki is the only player in NBA history to play for 21 seasons with one team.
#23 Karl Malone
Karl Malone has a bit of a reputation for being hated and is reportedly not a great guy. This list isn’t about the biggest choir boys in NBA history, though. Malone is one of the best players in league history and there’s no denying that. He was a 2-time NBA MVP and 14-time NBA All-Star. Malone is the second leading scorer in NBA history behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Malone was born in Summerfield, Louisiana and played collegiately at Louisiana Tech University. He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 1985 and would go on to play 18 seasons with the team. Malone was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Fun Fact: Karl Malone is one of only two players in NBA history to win back-to-back MVP awards and not win an NBA Championship.
#22 Charles Barkley
Sir Charles is one of the most outspoken and controversial figures in NBA history. He was an excellent player, though, and is considered one of the best power forwards in league history. Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star and was named the league MVP in 1993. He won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the USA Basketball team in 1992.
Barkley was born in Leeds, Alabama and played collegiately at Auburn University. He was drafted 5th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1984 and would go on to play 16 seasons in the league. Barkley was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Fun Fact: Charles Barkley is one of only four players in NBA history to be named league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and lead the league in rebounding.
#21 Steve Nash
Steve Nash is one of the best point guards in NBA history and, for a few years, was the best player in the game. He was a 8-time NBA All-Star and was named the league MVP in 2005 and 2006. Nash is considered one of the greatest shooters in league history and is the only player in NBA history to have more than 50% shooting from the field, 40% shooting from three-point range and 90% shooting from the free throw line in a season (2007-2008).
Nash was born in South Africa and played collegiately at Santa Clara University. He was drafted 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 1996 and would go on to play 10 seasons with the team. Nash retired after 18 seasons in the league in 2015. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Fun Fact: Steve Nash is one of only two players in NBA history to have more than 10,000 assists and 3,000 rebounds (the other player is John Stockton).
#20 Dominique Wilkins
If you were a basketball fan in the early 1990s, there is no way you can forget about “The Human Highlight Reel,” that was Dominique Wilkins. His dunks and athleticism were next level.
Wilkins was a 9-time NBA All-Star and won the league’s Slam Dunk Contest in 1985 and 1990. He is widely considered one of the best dunkers in league history.
Wilkins was born in Paris, France and played collegiately at the University of Georgia. He was drafted 3rd overall by the Utah Jazz in 1982 but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks before playing a game for the Jazz. Wilkins would go on to play 12 seasons with the Hawks. He retired after 15 seasons in the league in 1999.
Fun Fact: Dominique Wilkins is ninth on the NBA all-time scoring list.
#19 Moses Malone
Moses Malone was so good that he won back-to-back MVPs on separate teams. He was the league MVP in 1979 with the Houston Rockets and again in 1982 with the Rockets then the next year in 83 with the Philadelphia 76ers. Malone was a 13-time NBA All-Star and is considered one of the best centers in league history. He won an NBA Championship with the 76ers in 1983.
Malone was born in Petersburg, Virginia and played collegiately at Petersburg High School (he did not play in college). He was drafted in the 3rd round of the ABA draft by the Buffalo Braves in 1974 but opted to play in the ABA instead. Malone would go on to play 19 seasons in the league. He retired after 21 seasons in 1995. Malone was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.
Fun Fact: At the age of 19, Moses Malone became the youngest player in NBA history to play in an All-Star Game.
#18 Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett is one of the best power forwards in NBA history. He was a 15-time NBA All-Star and won the league MVP in 2004. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists club. Garnett is considered one of the best defensive players in league history and was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. He won an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
Garnett was born in Greenville, South Carolina and played collegiately at Farragut Career Academy (he did not play in college). He was drafted 5th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995 and would go on to play 12 seasons with the team. Garnett retired after 21 seasons in the league in 2016. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
Fun Fact: Kevin Garnett is one of only two players in NBA history to have more than 25,000 points, 10,000 rebounds.
#17 Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor is one of the best small forwards in NBA history. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star and won the league MVP in 1959. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds club. Baylor was considered one of the best scorers in league history and still holds the record for the most points scored in a game by a rookie (61). He retired after nine seasons in the league due to injury. Baylor was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977.
Baylor was born in Washington, D.C. and played collegiately at Seattle University. He was drafted 1st overall by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1958 and would go on to play 14 seasons with the team (they moved to Los Angeles during his tenure).
Fun Fact: Elgin Baylor is one of the only players in NBA history to have more than 30,000 points and 10,000 rebounds
#16 Kevin Durant
Some people hate Durant for going to Golden State and chasing a ring. Particularly after it was Golden State that knocked his team out of the playoffs the year before. But you can’t deny that Durant is one of the best scorers in NBA history. He’s a 9-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 2014. Durant has led the league in scoring four times and is a member of the exclusive 50-40-90 club (shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free throw line). He has won two NBA Championships with the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018).
Durant was born in Washington, D.C. and played collegiately at Texas. He was drafted 2nd overall by the Seattle Supersonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) in 2007 and would go on to play 9 seasons with the team. Durant signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2016 and played 3 seasons with the team before moving to the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
Fun Fact: Durant was included in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2018.
#15 Tim Duncan
Also known as “The Big Fundamental, Tim Duncan was the key to the Spurs dynasty of the early 2000s. He was a 15-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 2002 and 2003. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds club. Duncan is considered one of the best power forwards in league history and was named the Defensive Player of the Year twice (1998, 2002). He won five NBA Championships with the San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014).
Duncan was born in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and played collegiately at Wake Forest. He was drafted 1st overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 1997 and would go on to play 19 seasons with the team. Duncan retired after 21 seasons in the league in 2016.
Fun Fact: Tim Duncan is the only player in NBA history to have been named MVP of the All-Star Game and the NBA Finals in the same season (2000).
#14 Julius Irving
Dr. J was the dunkmaster of his day and one of the league’s first true superstars. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 1981. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds club. Irving is considered one of the best small forwards in league history and was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. He won an NBA Championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983.
Irving was born in New York, NY and played collegiately at Massachusetts. He was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Conquistadors in the 1973 ABA Draft but opted to play in the NBA. He was drafted 1st overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1976 NBA Draft and would go on to play 11 seasons with the team. Irving retired after 14 seasons in the league in 1987.
Fun Fact: Julius Erving was the first player in professional basketball history to dunk from the free throw line (ABA All-Star Game, 1976).
#13 Allen Iverson
“The Answer” was one of the league’s most popular players during his prime. He was an 11-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 2001. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 4,000 assists club. Iverson is considered one of the best point guards in league history and was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. He won an NBA Championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001.
Iverson was born in Hampton, Virginia and played collegiately at Georgetown. He was drafted 1st overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft and would go on to play 12 seasons with the team. Iverson also played for the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies before retiring in 2010.
Fun Fact: Allen Iverson was the shortest player ever to win league MVP (6’0″).
#12 Hakeem Olajuwon
“The Dream” was one of the league’s most dominant players in the post during his prime. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 1994. He also won an NBA title when Micheal Jordan retired to play baseball. Olajuwon is considered one of the best centers in league history and was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. He won two NBA Championships with the Houston Rockets (1994, 1995).
Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria and played collegiately at Houston. He was drafted 1st overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1984 NBA Draft and would go on to play 17 seasons with the team. Olajuwon retired after 18 seasons in the league in 2002.
Fun Fact: Hakeem Olajuwon is the only player in the history of the NBA to win league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP.
#11 Oscar Robertson
The “Big O” is one of the league’s most well-rounded players of all time. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 1964. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 10,000 assists club. Robertson is considered one of the best shooting guards in league history and was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. He won an NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971.
Robertson was born in Charlotte, Tennessee and played collegiately at Cincinnati. He was drafted 1st overall by the Cincinnati Royals in the 1960 NBA Draft and would go on to play 10 seasons with the team. Robertson also played for the Milwaukee Bucks before retiring in 1974.
Fun Fact: Oscar Robertson was the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season (1961-62) Until Russell Westbrook came along.
#10 Larry Bird
We have finally cracked the top ten and we kick things off with Larry Bird. “The Hick from French Lick” is one of the league’s best shooters of all time. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP three times (1984, 1985, 1986). He is also a member of the exclusive 50-40-90 club. Bird is considered one of the best small forwards in league history and his battles with Magic Johnson in college and the pros is legendary. He won three NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics (1981, 1984, 1986).
Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana and played collegiately at Indiana State. He was drafted 6th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1978 NBA Draft and would go on to play 13 seasons with the team. Bird retired after 13 seasons in the league in 1992.
Fun Fact: Larry Bird is the only person in NBA history to win league MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
#9 Bill Russell
Bill Russell is one of the league’s most decorated players of all time. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP five times (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965). He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 20,000 rebounds club. Russell is considered one of the best centers in league history and is the league’s all-time leader in rebounds. He won an astonishing 11 NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969).
Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana and played collegiately at San Francisco. He was drafted 2nd overall by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1956 NBA Draft but was traded to the Boston Celtics before ever playing a game for the Hawks. Russell would go on to play 13 seasons with the Celtics. He retired after 13 seasons in the league in 1969.
Fun Fact: Bill Russell has more NBA Championships than any other player in league history.
#8 Shaquille O’Neal
We stay in the present day with Shaquille O’Neal, one of the league’s most dominant players of all time. He was a 15-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 2000. He is also a member of the exclusive 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds club. Shaq is considered one of the best centers of all time and is the league’s all-time leader in field goal percentage. He won four NBA Championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) with three different teams (Lakers, Heat, Celtics).
Shaq was born in Newark, New Jersey and played collegiately at Louisiana State. He was drafted 1st overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft and would go on to play 19 seasons in the league. Shaq retired after 19 seasons in the league in 2011.
Fun Fact: Shaq is infamous for wearing a gigantic size 23 shoe.
#7 Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is one of the league’s most prolific scorers of all time and was known for his focus and mental toughness, known as the Mamba Mentality. He was a 18-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP in 2008. He is also a member of the exclusive 30,000 points club. Kobe is considered one of the best shooting guards in league history and is the league’s all-time leader in points per game. He won five NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and played collegiately at Lower Merion High School. He was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 NBA Draft but was immediately traded to the Lakers. Kobe would go on to play 20 seasons with the Lakers. He retired after 20 seasons in the league in 2016.
Fun Fact: Kobe Bryant is the only player in league history to have two numbers retired by the same team.
#6 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the league’s all-time leading scorer and one of its most decorated players. He was a 19-time NBA All-Star and won league MVP a record six times. He is also a member of the exclusive 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds club. Kareem is considered one of the best centers in league history and is the league’s all-time leader in minutes played. He won six NBA Championships with two different teams (Bucks, Lakers).
Abdul-Jabbar was born in New York City and played collegiately at UCLA. He was drafted 1st overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1969 NBA Draft and would go on to play 20 seasons in the league. Kareem retired after 20 seasons in the league in 1989.
Fun Fact: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is known as the player who perfected the skyhook.
#5 Wilt Chamberlain
Back in his day, Wilt Chamberlain was a man amongst boys. He was a physical specimen that towered over his opponents, with a listed height of 7’1″ and a weight of 275 pounds. He used his size and strength to dominate the league, becoming one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. In the 1961-1962 season, Chamberlain averaged an incredible 50.4 points per game, which is still the league record to this day and will likley never be broken. He also holds the records for most points in a single game (100) and most points in a single season (4,029).
But Chamberlain wasn’t just a one-dimensional player. He was also an excellent rebounder, averaging 22.9 rebounds per game during his career. He holds the league record for most rebounds in a single game (55) and is second on the all-time list for total career rebounds (23,924).
Chamberlain also possessed a rare combination of speed, agility and strength that allowed him to be one of the best defenders in the league. He was a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and led the league in blocks four times.
Chamberlain was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and is widely considered one of the greatest players in league history.
Fun fact: Wilt Chamberlain once shot 36 free throws in a single game, making all of them
#4 Magic Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is one of the most iconic players in NBA history. He was a true showman on the court, with his flashy style of play and larger-than-life personality. Magic was the definition of a triple threat, as he could score, rebound and pass at an elite level. He is the league’s all-time leader in assists per game (11.2) and is second on the all-time list for total assists (10,141).
Magic was also an excellent scorer, averaging 19.5 points per game during his career. He is one of only four players in league history to average at least 20 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds per game in a season, and he did it an incredible four times. He was also a superb rebounder for his position, averaging 7.2 rebounds per game during his career.
But Magic’s true greatness lies in his ability to make those around him better. He was the leader of the “Showtime” Lakers, one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. He won five championships with the team and was named Finals MVP three times. He is also one of only two players in league history to win an NCAA Championship, an NBA Championship and an Olympic Gold Medal.
Magic was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Fun Fact: Magic Johnson is the only player in NBA history to have won an NCAA Championship, an NBA Championship, and an Olympic Gold Medal.
#3 Steph Curry
I know some of you are thinking #3 is too high for Steph Curry; think again. This man has totally changed the game with his three-point shooting ability. Now every team is trying to launch three-pointers all game, and people are even talking about ways to devalue the 3 point shot. He is the greatest shooter the league has ever seen and let’s not forget that he has won 3 NBA Championships as well. He is currently averaging 31.6 points per game, 5.8 assists per game, and 5.4 rebounds per game. Oh yeah, he is also shooting a ridiculous 47% from three-point range!
Curry is not just a one-dimensional player, though. He is also an excellent defender. He was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 and has been named to the All-Defensive Team twice.
There is no doubt that Curry is one of the greatest players in league history and he is still in the prime of his career. He has already accomplished so much, and there is no telling how much more he will achieve.
Fun Fact: Steph Curry is the only player in NBA history to make more than 400 three-pointers in a season.
#2 Lebron James
Lebron James is one of the most polarizing figures in NBA history. He is either loved or hated, there is no middle ground. But there is no denying his greatness. Lebron is one of the most gifted athletes the league has ever seen. He is 6’8″ and 250 pounds of pure muscle. He is incredibly strong and fast, with the agility of a player much smaller than him. He uses his size and strength to bully his way to the basket and is almost impossible to stop when he gets a head of steam.
But Lebron is more than just a physical specimen. He is an excellent passer and a true student of the game. He studies film and is always looking for ways to improve his game. He is now one of the league’s better three-point shooters and has developed a post-game that is rough to stop.
Lebron has won four championships and been named Finals MVP four times. He is a two-time league MVP and has been named to the All-Star team 14 times. He is also one of only four players in league history to average at least 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game in a season.
There is no doubt that Lebron James is one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Fun Fact: Lebron James is one of only four players in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game in a season.
#1 Michael Jordan
There is no denying that Michael Jordan is the greatest player in NBA history. He was incredibly gifted athletically and had a competitive fire that was unmatched. He was an excellent scorer, a gifted passer and an outstanding defender. He was the complete package and he led the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s, going 6-0 overall.
Jordan was named league MVP five times and was named Finals MVP six times. He was a 10-time All-NBA First Team selection and a nine-time All-Defensive First Team selection. He was also named Defensive Player of the Year in 1988.
Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and his number 23 was retired by the Bulls. He is widely considered the greatest player of all time and it is hard to argue with that.
Fun fact: Michael Jordan is the only player in NBA history to win league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
Final Word
There is no doubt that the NBA has been blessed with some truly great players. These 50 players have all had an incredible impact on the league and have left their mark on history. There are sure to be many more great players in the years to come, but these 50 will always be remembered as the best of the best.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.
Bill Russell led his team to 11 championships! Red Auerbach called him the best to ever play the game.