Ranking The Top 10 Centers in NBA History: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Ranks No. 1

If you’re a basketball fan, you’ve probably heard of all the greatest players to ever lace ’em up in the NBA. But have you heard of all the Centers in NBA history? The Centers are the men that help protect the basket from the opposing team’s best offensive player (usually a guard) and allow the point guard to run the offense.

From 7’1″ tall centers like Wilt Chamberlain and Hakeem Olajuwon to the 6’9″ Ryan Anderson and the 6’11” DeAndre Jordan, the NBA has always been known for its giants. But there are more than just giants in the league. There were plenty of players who were not burly or bulky, but were still effective at the center position. So, who are the top 10 centers in NBA history? Here is the list of top 10 NBA centers of all time.

Top 10 NBA Centers of All Time

#1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

• Born: April 16, 1947
• Nationality: American
• NBA draft: 1969 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1^st
• Retirement: 1989 (at age 42)
• Teams: Mikwaukee Bucks (1969-75), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-89)
• Championships: Six times NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988).
• Career Statistics:
  1. Points: 38,387
  2. Games: 1,560
  3. Minutes: 57,446
  4. Goals: 15,837
  5. Goal attempts: 28,307
  6. Blocked shots: 3,189
  7. Rebounds: 9,394
  8. Wins: 1,074
  9. Fouls: 4,657

Regular season: 1,560 GP | 625 GS | 36.8 MPG | .559 FG% | .056 3P% | .721 FT% | 11.2 RPG | 3.6 APG | .9 SPG | 2.6 BPG | 24.6 PPG

Playoffs: 237 GP | 90 GS | 37.3 MPG | .533 FG% | .000 3P% | .740 FT% | 10.5 RPG | 3.2 APG | 1.0 SPG | 2.4 BPG | 24.3 PPG

• Coaching career: 1998–2011
  1. Head coach: Oklahoma Storm (2002)
  2. Assistant coach: Los Angeles Clippers (2000), Los Angeles Lakers (2005-2011), and the Seattle SuperSonics
  3. Scout: New York Knicks
  4. Special assistant coach: Phil Jackson for 6-season (2005–2011)
  5. Volunteer coach: Alchesay High School (1998-1999)

The Player:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American basketball player; he is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most famous basketball players ever. He also is a cultural icon. In addition to six NBA Championships, Abdul-Jabbar won three NCAA Championships at UCLA. In the summer of 1968, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Who are the top 5 centers in NBA history? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the best centers in NBA.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is regarded as one of the top 10 basketball players of all time too. He is often cited as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. During his career, he was named Most Valuable Player six times and was the league’s leading scorer for five consecutive seasons. In 1996, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Top 5 things about Kareem:

Here is a list of the top 5 things you might not know about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

1. His full name is Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.

2. He was born on April 16, 1947, in New York City.

3. Lew Alcindor finished his collegiate career as a three-time first-team All-American selection and three-time NCAA Champion.

4. He was selected as the number 1 overall pick in the 1969 NBA Draft.

5. In the 1969-70 season, Abdul-Jabbar won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and became a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team (1970)

List of Honors of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:

Athletic Honors:

• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (May 15, 1995)
• Two times Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year (1967, 1969)
• Two times Oscar Robertson Trophy winner (1967, 1968)
• Two times UPI College Basketball Player of the Year (1967, 1969)
• Three times First Team All-American (1967, 1968, 1969)
• Three times NCAA champion (1967, 1968, 1969)
• Most Outstanding Player in NCAA Tournament (1967–1969)
• Naismith College Player of the Year (1969)
• Three times First-team All-Pac-8 (1967, 1968, 1969)
• National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2007)

National Basketball Association Honors:

• Rookie of the Year (1970)
• Six times NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
• Six times NBA Most Valuable Player (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)
• Six times Sporting News NBA Most Valuable Player (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)
• Two times Finals Most Valuable Player (1971, 1985)
• Sports Illustrated magazine’s “Sportsman of the Year” (1985)
• One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996)
• First player in NBA history to play 20 seasons

Honors as a Coach:

• As head coach, USBL champion (2002)
• As assistant coach, Two times NBA champion (2009, 2010)

Non-athletic Honors:

• 2016: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Barack Obama.
• 2011: Received the Double Helix Medal to raise awareness for cancer research.
• 2011: Received an honorary degree from the New York Institute of Technology.
• 2020: Nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for his work on the documentary special Black Patriots: Heroes of The Revolution.

#2 Wilt Chamberlain

• Born: August 21, 1936
• Died: October 12, 1999
• Nationality: American
• NBA draft: 1959 / Pick-Territorial
• Playing career: 1958–1973
• Teams: Harlem Globetrotters (1958–1959), Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965), Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968), Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973)
• Championships: Two times NBA champion (1967, 1972)
• Career Statistics:
  1. Points: 31,419
  2. Rebounds: 23,924
  3. Assists: 4,643
  4. Regular season: 1045 GP | 45.8 MPG | .540 FG% | .511 FT% | 22.9 RPG | 4.4 APG | 30.1 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 160 GP | 47.2 MPG | .522 FG% | .465 FT% | 24.5 RPG | 4.2 APG | 22.5 PPG

• Coaching career: San Diego Conquistadors (1973–1974)

The Player:

If you ask me, who are the top 10 centers of all time? I will tell first, Wilt Chamberlain is one of them.

The Big Dipper of basketball, Wilt Chamberlain, is one of the best and most famous players the NBA has ever seen. At 7’1″ and 275 lbs, Wilt Chamberlain was one of the greatest NBA players of all time, and he is still the only player in history to score 100 points in a single game. He also won two NBA championships with the Philadelphia Warriors and two more with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wilt Chamberlain is part of the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the NBA’s All-Time 50th Anniversary Team, and the NCAA Basketball Tournament’s “President’s 100” team.

He was known as “Wilt the Stilt”, “Goliath”, and his favorite, “The Big Dipper” because he was seven feet tall and weighed 275 pounds. His record in the NBA for points in a season was 4,029 points in the 1961-1962 season. The record stood for almost 40 years. He averaged 30.1 points per game and 22.9 rebounds per game for his career.

Top 7 things about Wilt Chamberlain:

There are plenty of reasons why Wilt Chamberlain was one of the greatest NBA players the game has ever seen, but here are just a few of the records the man shattered:

1. Most points in a single season (4,029),
2. Most rebounds in a single season (2,149),
3. Most rebounds in a single game (55),
4. Most minutes played in a season (3,882),
5. Most minutes played in a game (72),
6. Most field goals in a career (12,681),
7. Most field goals in a season (1,597), and

List of Honors of Wilt Chamberlain:

National Basketball Association Honors:

• 2 times NBA champion (1967, 1972)
• NBA Finals MVP (1972)
• 4 times NBA Most Valuable Player (1960, 1966–1968)
• 13 times NBA All-Star (1960–1969, 1971–1973)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1960)
• 7 times All-NBA First Team (1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968)
• 3 times All-NBA Second Team (1963, 1965, 1972)
• 2 times NBA All-Defensive First Team (1972, 1973)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1960)
• 7 times NBA scoring champion (1960–1966)
• 11 times NBA rebounding champion (1960–1963, 1966–1969, 1971–1973)
• 9 times NBA minutes leader (1960–1964, 1966–1970)
• 9 times NBA field goal percentage leader (1962, 1963, 1965–1969, 1972–1973)
• NBA assist leader (1968)

Post-career:

• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1978)
• NBA 35th Anniversary Team (1980)
• NBA 50th Anniversary Team (1996)
• Ranked No. 2 in Slam’s “Top 50 NBA Players of All Time in NBA History” (2009)

High school and college:

• Mr. Basketball USA (1955)
• NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1957)
• 2 times Consensus first-team All-American (1957, 1958)

#3 Bill Russell

• Born: February 12, 1934
• Nationality: American
• NBA draft: 1956 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
• Playing career: 1956–1969
• Teams: Boston Celtics (1956–1969)
• Championships: 11 times NBA champion (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969)
• Career Statistics:
  1. Points: 14,522
  2. Rebounds: 21,620
  3. Assists: 4,100
  4. Regular season: 963 GP | 42.3 MPG |.440 FG% | .561 FT% | 22.5 RPG | 4.3 APG | 15.1 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 165 GP | 45.4 MPG | .430 FG% | .603 FT% | 24.9 RPG | 4.7 APG | 16.2 PPG

• Coaching career:
  1. Boston Celtics (1966–1969): Two times NBA Champion
  2. Seattle SuperSonics (1973–1977)
  3. Sacramento Kings (1987–1988)

The Player:

Bill Russell is a former American basketball player, coach, and executive. His full name is William Felton Russell, born February 12, 1934, was widely admired by fans, fellow players, and media members alike for his extraordinary combination of defensive skills, shot-blocking, rebounding, and his ability to change the momentum of the game on both ends of the court. He is widely referred to as the greatest defensive center of all time. He was also named the greatest player in the history of the Boston Celtics.

Having won 11 NBA titles as a player, Russell is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, and he was the first African American elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players of all time.

His playing career, especially during high school and college, was plagued by racism. He also received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 2008.

Now, if someone asks you who is the best center in basketball history? Which name will you mention? Comment below.

Top 5 things about Bill Russell:

Here is a list of the top 5 things you might not know about William Felton Russell.

1. Bill Russell is the only player in NBA history to win the NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP in the same year, a ​feat that was accomplished for the only time in NBA history in 1957. A feat he accomplished 10 times in his 13 seasons.

2. He is also the only player in NBA history to win both a regular-season MVP (1953) and Finals MVP (1957)

3. Bill Russell, the NBA center, is the first man to win 11 championships. In his playing career, Russell has won five championships with the Boston Celtics and the next six with the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell was elected to the NBA Hall of Fame in 1975.

4. He is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the NBA. He is famous for being a very important part of the Boston Celtics (a basketball team). He was their center for many years, and he was an important part of the team.

5. Bill Russell is one of the most well-known and successful American basketball players, coaches, and executives.

List of Honors of Bill Russell:

• 11 times NBA champion (1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969)
• 5 times NBA Most Valuable Player (1958, 1961–1963, 1965)
• 12 times NBA All-Star (1958–1969)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1963)
• 3 times All-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965)
• 8 times All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960–1962, 1964, 1966–1968)
• NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969)
• 4 times NBA rebounding champion (1958, 1959, 1964, 1965)
• NBA 25th, 35th, and 50th Anniversary Team
• No. 6 retired by Boston Celtics
• 2 times NCAA champion (1955, 1956)
• NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1955)
• UPI College Player of the Year (1956)
• 2 times Helms Player of the Year (1955, 1956)
• 2 times Consensus first-team All-American (1955, 1956)
• WCC Player of the Year (1956)
• No. 6 retired by San Francisco Dons
• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011)
• As a coach, 2 times NBA champion (1968, 1969)

#4 Shaquille O’Neal

• Born: March 6, 1972 (Newark, New Jersey)
• Nationality: American
• NBA draft: 1992 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
• Playing career: 1992–2011
• Teams: Orlando Magic (1992–1996), Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004), Miami Heat (2004–2008), Phoenix Suns (2008–2009), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010), Boston Celtics (2010–2011)
• Championships: 4 times NBA champion (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006)
• Career Statistics:  
  1. Points: 28,596
  2. Rebounds: 13,099
  3. Blocks: 2,732
  4. Regular season: 1,207 GP | 1,197 GS | 34.7 MPG | .582 FG% | .045 3P% | .527 FT% | 10.9 RPG | 2.5 APG | .6 SPG | 2.3 BPG | 23.7 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 216 GP | 214 GS | 37.5 MPG | .563 FG% | .000 3P% | .504 FT% | 11.6 RPG | 2.7 APG | .5 SPG | 2.1 BPG | 24.3 PPG

The Player:

Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal (Shaq) is an American retired professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. At 7′ 1″ and 325 pounds, he was one of the tallest and heaviest players in the history of the NBA.

He was nicknamed “Shaq” by his coach, because of his similar size and athletic abilities. He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP, and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000). He was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

He holds the records for total points scored, most points scored in a career, and most field goals made. He was also a member of the 1996 United States men’s Olympic basketball team “Dream Team”.

All-Star center Shaquille O’Neal is one of the best NBA players of all time. He was a 15-time All-Star, a 4-time NBA Champion, and a 3-time NBA MVP. He is the highest-scoring player in history – over 28,000 points (28,596)!

Top 6 things about Shaquille O’Neal:

Not only is Shaquille O’Neal one of the most dominant basketball players of his time, but he is also a friendly guy, a caring father and a comedian all rolled in one. Here are the top 6 things you might not know about Shaquille O’Neal.

1. Shaquille O’Neal was born Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal on March 6, 1972, in Newark, New Jersey.

2. He is a retired American professional basketball player who is 7’1″ tall and weighs 325 pounds.

3. He played in the NBA from 1992 to 2011 for several teams, most notably the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He also played for the Boston Celtics.

4. He can be found on Turner Network Television (TNT) as an analyst.

5. In addition to his many accomplishments on the court, Shaq has starred in his own memorable commercials and movies making him a worldwide icon.

6. Shaquille O’Neal is one of the best centers and the best player in the NBA to play the game.

List of Honors of Shaquille O’Neal:

• 4 times NBA champion (2000–2002, 2006)
• 3 times NBA Finals MVP (2000–2002)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (2000)
• 15 times NBA All-Star (1993–1998, 2000–2007, 2009)
• 3 times NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004, 2009)
• 8 times All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000–2006)
• 2 times All-NBA Second Team (1995, 1999)
• 4 times All-NBA Third Team (1994, 1996, 1997, 2009)
• 3 times NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2000, 2001, 2003)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1993)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993)
• 2 times NBA scoring champion (1995, 2000)
• NBA 50th Anniversary Team
• Associated Press Player of the Year (1991)
• UPI Player of the Year (1991)
• 2 times Consensus first-team All-American (1991, 1992)
• 2 times SEC Player of the Year (1991, 1992)
• NCAA blocks leader (1992)
• NCAA rebounding leader (1991)
• FIBA World Championship MVP (1994)
• USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1994)
• McDonald’s All-American Game Co-MVP (1989)
• First-team Parade All-American (1989)
• Texas Mr. Basketball (1989)

#5 Tim Duncan

• Born: April 25, 1976 (Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands)
• Nationality: American
• NBA draft: 1997 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
• Playing career: 1997–2016
• Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1997–2016)
• Championships: 5 times NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
• Career Statistics:
  1. Points: 26,496
  2. Rebounds: 15,091
  3. Assists: 4,225
  4. Regular season: 1392 GP | 1389 GS | 34 MPG | 0.506 FG% | 0.179 3P% | 0.696 FT% | 10.8 RPG | 3 APG  0.7 SPG | 2.2 BPG | 19 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 251 GP | 251 GS | 37.3 MPG | 0.501 FG% | 0.143 3P% | 0.689 FT% | 11.4 RPG | 3 APG | 0.7 SPG | 2.3 BPG | 20.6 PPG
  6. College: 128 GP | 96 GS | 35.1 MPG | 0.577 FG% | 0.321 3P% | 0.689 FT% | 12.3 RPG | 2.3 APG | 0.5 SPG | 3.8 BPG | 16.5 PPG

• Coaching career: San Antonio Spurs (assistant, 2019–2020)

The Player:

Timothy Theodore Duncan is an American retired professional basketball player who played his entire career for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. Called the greatest power forward of all time by ESPN, he is a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA MVP, and three-time NBA Finals MVP.

Among the top 10 players in the NBA, Tim Duncan is one of the most influential and dominant NBA big men of the past two decades. At 6’11” and 250 lb, he is a power forward for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA and his skills are praised by many.

He is also a 15-time NBA All-Star and the only player to be selected to both the All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams during each of his first 13 seasons.

Top 5 things about Tim Duncan:

Here is a list of the top 5 interesting facts you might not know about Tim Duncan.

1. Duncan was voted the NBA’s “Sportsman of the Year” in 2003.

2. He played for the San Antonio Spurs for 19 years.

3. In July 2001, he married Amy Sherrill. And he had two children before their divorce in August 2013.

4. Tim Duncan was also part of two NBA Finals teams and is the only player to average a triple-double in a single playoff season.

5. His mother died of breast cancer one day before his 14th birthday in 1989.

List of Honors of Tim Duncan:

• 5 times NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014)
• 3 times NBA Finals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005)
• 2 times NBA Most Valuable Player (2002, 2003)
• 15 times NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2011, 2013, 2015)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000)
• 10 times All-NBA First Team (1998–2005, 2007, 2013)
• 3 times All-NBA Second Team (2006, 2008, 2009)
• 2 times All-NBA Third Team (2010, 2015)
• 8 times NBA All-Defensive First Team (1999–2003, 2005, 2007, 2008)
• 7 times NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1998, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1998)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (1998)
• NBA Teammate of the Year (2015)
• USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2003)
• Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2003)
• Consensus National College Player of the Year (1997)
• 2 times Consensus first-team All-American (1996, 1997)
• Chip Hilton Player of the Year (1997)
• NCAA rebounding leader (1997)
• 3 times NABC Defensive Player of the Year (1995–1997)
• 2 times ACC Player of the Year (1996, 1997)
• 3 times First-team All-ACC (1995–1997)

#6 Hakeem Olajuwon

• Born: January 21, 1963 (Lagos, Nigeria)
• Nationality: Nigerian / American
• NBA draft: 1984 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
• Playing career: 1984–2002
• Teams: Houston Rockets (1984–2001), Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)
• Championships:  2 times NBA champion (1994, 1995)
• Career Statistics:
  1. Points: 26,946
  2. Rebounds: 13,747
  3. Blocks: 3,830
  4. Regular season: 1238 GP | 1186 GS | 35.7 MPG | 0.512 FG% | 0.202 3P% | 0.712 FT% | 11.1 RPG | 2.5 APG | 1.7 SPG | 3.1 BPG | 21.8 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 145 GP | 140 GS | 39.6 MPG | 0.528 FG% | 0.222 3P% | 0.719 FT% | 11.2 RPG | 3.2 APG | 1.7 SPG | 3.3 BPG | 25.9 PPG

The Player:

Hakeem Olajuwon is a retired Nigerian American professional basketball player. He was truly a two-way player, having the ability to score, and also to defend and rebound.

The first overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, Hakeem Olajuwon became one of the most exciting and productive centers in the history of the NBA. Nicknamed “The Dream,” Olajuwon was a first-team All-NBA selection 10 times during his illustrious career. He led the league in blocked shots in 1973 and 1974. He helped the Houston Rockets win back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995.

Top 6 things about Hakeem Olajuwon:

Here is a list of the top 6 things you might not know about Hakeem Olajuwon.

1. Olajuwon was born in Lagos, Nigeria to Salim and Abike Olajuwon, a Nigerian with Ibo origins. He was the third child of eight.

2. He altered his name from Akeem to the Hakeem on March 9, 1991.

3. First non-American, the legendary center won two times NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards from 1993 to 1994, and also won two times NBA Finals MVP awards from 1994 to 1995.

4. The Dream’s list of accomplishments earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

5. He led the Cougars to the NCAA championship in 1983.

6. He became the only player in NBA history to win the NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP awards in the 1993–94 season.

List of Honors of Hakeem Olajuwon:

• 2 times NBA champion (1994, 1995)
• 2 times NBA Finals MVP (1994, 1995)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (1994)
• 12 times NBA All-Star (1985–1990, 1992–1997)
• 6 times All-NBA First Team (1987–1989, 1993, 1994, 1997)
• 3 times All-NBA Second Team (1986, 1990, 1996)
• 3 times All-NBA Third Team (1991, 1995, 1999)
• 2 times NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1993, 1994)
• 5 times NBA All-Defensive First Team (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1994)
• 4 times NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1985, 1991, 1996, 1997)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (1985)
• 2 times NBA rebounding leader (1989, 1990)
• 3 times NBA blocks leader (1990, 1991, 1993)
• NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• Consensus first-team All-American (1984)
• NCAA rebounding leader (1984)
• SWC Player of the Year (1984)
• NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1983)

#7 Patrick Ewing

• Born: August 5, 1962 (Kingston, Colony of Jamaica)
• Nationality: Jamaican / American
• NBA draft: 1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
• Playing career: 1985–2002
• Teams: New York Knicks (1985–2000), Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001), Orlando Magic (2001–2002)
• Championships: N/A (NCAA champion in 1984)
• Career Statistics:  
  1. Points: 24,815
  2. Rebounds: 11,617
  3. Blocks: 2,894
  4. Regular season: 1183 GP | 1122 GS | 34.3 MPG | 0.504 FG% | 0.152 3P% | 0.74 FT% | 9.8 RPG | 1.9 APG | 1 SPG | 2.5 BPG | 21 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 139 GP | 135 GS | 37.5 MPG | 0.469 FG% | 0.348 3P% | 0.718 FT% | 10.3 RPG | 2 APG | 0.9 SPG | 2.2 BPG | 20.2 PPG

• Coaching career:
  1. Washington Wizards (2002–2003, assistant)
  2. Houston Rockets (2003–2007, assistant)
  3. Orlando Magic (2007–2012, assistant)
  4. Charlotte Hornets (2013–2017, assistant)
  5. Georgetown (2017–present)

The Player:

Patrick Aloysius Ewing is a retired American basketball player. He is most famous for his time with the New York Knicks and is considered one of the greatest players in team history.

He spent most of his career with the NBA’s New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic.

Ewing attended Georgetown University, where he established himself as one of the most dominant players in college basketball. Ewing became the first player to score more than 20,000 points and grab more than 11,000 rebounds.

Top 5 things about Patrick Ewing:

Patrick Ewing is one of the greatest centers in NBA history. Here are the top 5 things you need to know about him.

1. Rita Williams was his wife from 1990 to 1998. Patrick Ewing Jr. is one of his three children.

2. He played basketball for Georgetown University from 1981 to 1985, and he is currently the head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team.

3. The number 33 was retired by the Knicks in honor of Ewing.

4. He is one of the number one all-time NBA scoring leaders.

5. He is an 11-time NBA All-Star (1986, 1988–1997).

List of Honors of Patrick Ewing:

• 11 times All-Star; One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996)
• 2 times Olympic gold medalist (1984, 1992)
• 3 times All-American (1983–1985)
• Rookie of the Year (1986)
• All-NBA First Team (1990)
• All-NBA Second Team (1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997)
• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1988, 1989, 1992)
• NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player (1984)
• Naismith College Player of the Year (1985).
• AP College Player of the Year (1985)
• NABC Player of the Year (1985)
• Sporting News College Player of the Year (1985)
• Adolph Rupp Trophy (1985)
• Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in 2008 as an individual and 2010 as a member of the Dream Team.

#8 David Robinson

• Born: August 6, 1965 (Key West, Florida)
• Nationality: American
• NBA draft: 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
• Playing career: 1989–2003
• Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1989–2003)
• Championships: 2 times NBA champion (1999, 2003)
• Career Statistics:
  1. Points: 20,790
  2. Rebounds: 10,497
  3. Blocks: 2,954
  4. Regular season: 987 GP | 985 GS | 34.7 MPG | 0.518 FG% | 0.25 3P% | 0.736 FT% | 10.6 RPG | 2.5 APG | 1.4 SPG | 3 BPG | 21.1 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 123 GP | 123 GS | 34.3 MPG | 0.479 FG% | 0.1 3P% | 0.708 FT% | 10.6 RPG | 2.3 APG | 1.2 SPG | 2.5 BPG | 18.1 PPG

The Player:

Robinson spent much of his career as the Navy’s top scorer and played on the 1996 Olympic team. He was born in Key West, Florida, and started his NBA career in 1989 with the San Antonio Spurs. He was drafted by the Spurs with the first overall pick in the 1987 draft.  He was part of the US national team that won a gold medal in the Olympics.

David Maurice Robinson is the top 10 NBA player and a center of the San Antonio Spurs. He plays as one of the greatest centers in NBA history. He is a two-time NBA Champion, the 1995 NBA MVP, Rookie of the Year, and 10-time NBA All-Star.

The David Robinson Center (DRC) was a center for the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The arena was located in the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The center was named after former Spur center and Hall of Fame player David Robinson. The DRC was built in 2002 and was closed in 2010. It has a capacity of 19,812 for basketball games. The DRC is now used as a training facility for the Spurs.

Top 5 things about David Robinson:

Here is a list of the top 5 things you might not know about David Robinson.

1. David Maurice Robinson was born on August 6, 1965. His nickname “The Admiral”

2. David Robinson is best known as a 7’1″ center for the San Antonio Spurs.

3. He is a native of the Virgin Islands and is of English and Irish descent.

4. Robinson is often ranked as one of the greatest centers in both NBA and NCAA basketball history.

5. In his 13-year NBA career, Robinson played 987 games. He is one of the players who have scored over 20,000 career points in the NBA.

List of Honors of David Robinson:

• 2 times NBA champion (1999, 2003)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (1995)
• 10 times NBA All-Star (1990–1996, 1998, 2000, 2001)
• 4 times All-NBA First Team (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996)
• 2 times All-NBA Second Team (1994, 1998)
• 4 times All-NBA Third Team (1990, 1993, 2000, 2001)
• NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1992)
• 4 times NBA All-Defensive First Team (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996)
• 4 times NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1990, 1993, 1994, 1998)
• NBA Sportsmanship Award (2001)
• NBA scoring champion (1994)
• NBA rebounding leader (1991)
• NBA blocks leader (1992)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1990)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (1990)
• NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year (2003)
• National college player of the year (1987)
• Consensus first-team All-American (1987)
• Consensus second-team All-American (1986)
• 3 times CAA Player of the Year (1985–1987)
• 2 times NCAA blocks leader (1986, 1987)
• NCAA rebounding leader (1986)
• USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (1986)

#9 Moses Malone

• Born: March 23, 1955 (Petersburg, Virginia)
• Died: September 13, 2015 (Aged 60, Norfolk, Virginia)
• Nationality: American
• NBA draft: 1974 / Round: 3
• Playing career: 1974–1995
• Teams: Utah Stars (1974–1975), Spirits of St. Louis (1975–1976), Buffalo Braves (1976), Houston Rockets (1976–1982), Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986), Washington Bullets (1986–1988), Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991), Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993), Philadelphia 76ers (1993–1994), San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)
• Championships: NBA champion (1983)
• Career Statistics:
  1. Points: 29,580
  2. Rebounds: 17,834
  3. Blocks: 1,889
  4. Regular season: 1455 GP | 784 GS | 34 MPG | 0.495 FG% | 0.096 3P% | 0.76 FT% | 12.3 RPG | 1.3 APG | 0.8 SPG | 1.3 BPG | 20.3 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 100 GP | 26 GS | 40.3 MPG | 0.487 FG% | 0.143 3P% | 0.756 FT% | 14 RPG | 1.5 APG | 0.8 SPG | 1.6 BPG | 22.1 PPG

• Coaching career: Philadelphia 76ers (2006–2009, assistant)

The Player:

Moses Malone was born on March 23, 1955, in Petersburg, Virginia, USA. He was one of the best centers in the history of basketball. He was equally adept at shooting, passing, and rebounding while standing at a massive 6’10” and weighing 260 pounds.

Malone was a pro basketball star and center for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, Buffalo Braves, Washington Bullets, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and San Antonio Spurs.

Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Malone was an only child. He was named Moses Eugene Malone because of his father’s first name, Eugene, and his mother’s last name, Malone. At age fifteen, Malone was tall and weighed 210 pounds.

He started his NBA career in 1974 with the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association. In 1976, the team merged with the NBA and moved to Texas, where Malone joined the Houston Rockets. As a member of the Rockets, Malone was a three-time NBA MVP.

Top 5 things about Moses Malone:

Here is a list of the top 5 things you might not know about Moses Malone.

1. He was the first player to be drafted by the American Basketball Association (ABA) out of high school.

2. Moses Malone was a famous basketball player who was known as the “Chairman of the Boards” because of his rebounding prowess.

3. He won NBA Most Valuable Player three times in 1979, 1982, and 1983.

4. Moses Malone had two sons, Moses Eugene Jr. and Michael Malone. His wife, Alfreda Gill sued for divorce in September 1991.

5. Malone was an only child of his parent, raised primarily by his mother. His mother’s name is Mary. Mary forced her husband to move out of their home due to his alcohol use.

List of Honors of Moses Malone:

• NBA champion (1983)
• NBA Finals MVP (1983)
• 3 times NBA Most Valuable Player (1979, 1982, 1983)
• 12 times NBA All-Star (1978–1989)
• ABA All-Star (1975)
• 4 times All-NBA First Team (1979, 1982, 1983, 1985)
• 4 times All-NBA Second Team (1980, 1981, 1984, 1987)
• NBA All-Defensive First Team (1983)
• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1979)
• ABA All-Rookie Team (1975)
• 6 times NBA rebounding leader (1979, 1981–1985)
• NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• ABA All-Time Team
• National high school player of the year (1974)
• First-team Parade All-American (1974)
• Fourth-team Parade All-American (1973)

#10 Bob McAdoo

• Born: September 25, 1951 (Greensboro, North Carolina)
• Nationality: American
• NBA draft: 1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
• Playing career: 1972–1992
• Teams: Buffalo Braves (1972–1976), New York Knicks (1976–1979), Boston Celtics (1979), Detroit Pistons (1979–1981), New Jersey Nets (1981), Los Angeles Lakers (1981–1985), Philadelphia 76ers (1986), Olimpia Milano (1986–1990), Filanto Forlì (1990–1992), Teamsystem Fabriano (1992)
• Championships: 2 times NBA champion (1982, 1985)
• Career Statistics:  
  1. Points: 18,787
  2. Rebounds: 8,048
  3. Blocks: 1,147
  4. Regular season: 852 GP | 1 GS | 33.2 MPG | 0.503 FG% | 0.081 3P% | 0.754 FT% | 9.4 RPG | 2.3 APG | 1 SPG | 1.5 BPG | 22.1 PPG
  5. Playoffs: 94 GP | 0 GS | 28.9 MPG | 0.491 FG% | 0.25 3P% | 0.724 FT% | 7.6 RPG | 1.4 APG | 0.8 SPG | 1.6 BPG | 18.3 PPG

• Coaching career:
  1. Miami Heat (assistant, 1995–2014)
  2. 3 times NBA champion as an assistant coach in 2006, 2012, 2013.

The Player:

Robert Allen McAdoo was born on September 25, 1951, in Greensboro, North Carolina. His father, Robert McAdoo was a custodian at North Carolina A&T University. His mother’s name is Vandalia.

Bob McAdoo is a retired American professional basketball player and coach. He played both the small forward and power forward positions. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Buffalo Braves, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Olimpia Milano, and Philadelphia 76ers.

A 6’9″ and 210 lb center, he played in the National Basketball Association for 14 seasons.

Top 7 things about Bob McAdoo:

Here is a list of the top 7 things you might not know about Bob McAdoo.

1. McAdoo’s wife’s name is Charlina. She died of cancer in 1991. They had four children together.

2. McAdoo’s second wife’s name is Patrizia. They have two children.

3. Their daughter Rasheeda plays professional tennis, and their son Ryan is a basketball player.

4. In 2009, McAdoo participated in the program in Beijing to promote the NBA.

5. McAdoo was drafted by the Buffalo Braves with the first pick of the 1972 NBA Draft.

6. He was named to the 1973 NBA All-Rookie Team and would go on to make the NBA All-Star five times in his career.

7. As a sophomore, in 1971, Bob McAdoo was named a Junior College All-American.

List of Honors of Bob McAdoo:

• 2 times NBA champion (1982, 1985)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (1975)
• 5 times NBA All-Star (1974–1978)
• All-NBA First Team (1975)
• All-NBA Second Team (1974)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1973)
• NBA All-Rookie Team (1973)
• 3 times NBA scoring champion (1974–1976)
• FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (1987)
• 2 times EuroLeague champion (1987, 1988)
• EuroLeague Final Four MVP (1988)
• EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer (1988)
• 2 times Italian League champion (1987, 1989)
• Italian Cup winner (1987)
• Consensus first-team All-American (1972)
• First-team All-ACC (1972)
• North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
• Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
• College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
• 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors in 2008
• Olimpia Milano Hall of Fame in 2013.
• He is a member of the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame.

Information source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association

List of NBA Centers of All Time:

Ever wonder what the Top 50 Centers in the NBA are like? Well, you’ve come to the right place to learn all those things and more! We already explained the top 10 centers in the NBA above.

Look at the top 50 NBA centers of all time below. They are the top centers in the league.