List of career achievements by Wilt Chamberlain

Last updated

This article concerns the career achievements of Wilt Chamberlain, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer who holds numerous NBA records in scoring, rebounding and durability. Among others, he is the only player in NBA history to average 40 and 50 points in a season, score 100 points in a single game, and grab over 2,000 rebounds in a single season. He also won seven scoring, nine field goal percentage, and 11 rebounding titles, in addition to an assist title. [1] With an assortment of fadeaway and jump shots, his favorite one-hand finger-roll and powerful dunks in the low post, [2] [3] he scored 31,419 points, grabbed 23,924 rebounds, averaging 30.07 points (second-best all time behind Michael Jordan) and 22.9 rebounds (all-time leader) and was also very durable, standing on the hardwood an average 45.8 minutes. [4]

Contents

For his feats, Chamberlain was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978, elected into the NBA 35th Anniversary Team in 1980, chosen as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996, and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. He was ranked No. 13 in ESPN's list "Top North American Athletes of the Century" in 1999, [5] and No. 2 in Slam 's top 500 NBA players of all time in 2011, [6] In honor of Chamberlain, his jerseys have been retired six times, by Overbrook High School, the University of Kansas, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the Warriors, 76ers, and Lakers franchises. [7]

List of records and feats

Chamberlain holds 72 NBA records, 68 by himself. [8] Among his records are several that are considered unbreakable, such as averaging 22.9 rebounds for a career or 50.4 points per game in a season, scoring 100 points or 55 rebounds in a single game, scoring 65 or more points 15 times, 50 or more points 118 times. [7] [9] During Chamberlain's time, defensive statistics like blocks and steals had not been recorded yet. According to Jack Ramsay, "Harvey [Pollack] said he used to tell one of his statisticians to keep track of Wilt's blocks in big games. ... One night, they got up to 25." [10] (The first season blocked shots were officially recorded in the NBA was 1973/74, the season after Chamberlain retired as a player. The official NBA record of 17 blocks in a single game was set by Elmore Smith in 1973.)

NBA scoring records

  • Also holds the next three spots with 44.8 in 1962–63, 38.4 in 1960–61 and 37.6 in 1959–60.
  • Also holds the second-highest record with 3,586 in 1962–63.
  • Kobe Bryant is second with 81.
  • Kobe Bryant is second with 55.
  • Chamberlain holds the next most with 30 in 1962–63. No other player has had more than 10.
  • Chamberlain holds the second-most with 52 in 1962–63. Michael Jordan is third with 37 in 1986–87.
  • Chamberlain also holds the next three longest streaks with 3 in January 1962, 2 in December 1961 and 2 in December 1962.
  • Chamberlain is the only player to ever score 60 points in back-to-back games.
  • Chamberlain also holds the next three longest streaks with 6 in 1962, and 5 in 1961 and 1962.
  • Chamberlain also has the next most with 10 from November 9–25, 1962.
  • James Harden is second with 32 in 2018-19 season. Chamberlain also is third with 31 in 1962.
  • Chamberlain holds the next most with 92 from February 26, 1963 – March 18, 1964.
  • Rick Barry is second with 57.
  • Frank Selvy is second with 35.
  • Chamberlain holds the next 3 spots with 1,463 in 1962–63, 1,251 in 1960–61, and 1,204 in 1963–64
  • Chamberlain holds the next four highest with 2,770, 2,457, 2,311, and 2,298.
  • Chamberlain holds the next highest with 31, and is tied with Rick Barry at third with 30
  • Chamberlain holds the next two most with 62 and 60.
  • Rick Barry is second with 21.
  • George Gervin is second with 34.
  • Chamberlain also holds the next four spots with 1,113, 1,054, 1,016, and 991.
  • Pulled down a rookie playoff record 35 rebounds in the same game.
  • Chamberlain also scored 50 as a rookie against the Boston Celtics on March 22, 1960.
  • Chamberlain also holds the second-most attempts in an All-Star Game with 15 in 1960.

Other selected scoring facts

  • 2nd-highest career scoring average (30.07) – record held by Michael Jordan
  • Jordan scored 581 three-point field goals, which didn't exist during Chamberlain's time. If his three-pointers were turned into two-pointers, his career scoring average would be of 29.58.
  • 2nd-most career regular-season 30-point games (515) – record held by Michael Jordan
  • 2nd-most free throws made in a season (835 in 1961–62) – record held by Jerry West
  • 2nd-most free throws attempted in a game (34 vs. the St. Louis Hawks on February 22, 1962) – record held by Dwight Howard
  • Chamberlain also holds third place with 32 on March 2, 1962
  • 2nd-fewest games played to reach 31,000 points (1,115, achieved on February 1, 1973, against the Phoenix Suns) – record held by Michael Jordan, at 1,111 games.
  • 4th-most points in an NBA All-Star Game (42 in 1962) – record held by Jayson Tatum (55 in 2023)
  • 2nd-most Playoff games with at least 50 points: 4 – record held by Michael Jordan (8);
  • All of Chamberlain's performances came in regulation time; two of Jordan's 50-point games came in overtime. Both of them scored a maximum 56 points in 48-minute playoff games;
  • All of Chamberlain's performances resulted in team wins; two of Jordan's 50-point games ended in a loss;
  • Chamberlain is the only player to score at least 50 points in two different Conference/Division Finals games;
  • Chamberlain is the only player to score at least 50 points in an elimination game (a feat he accomplished three times).
  • 2nd-most playoff games with at least 45 points: 8 – record held by Michael Jordan;
  • 3rd most points in a Playoff game: 56—record held by Michael Jordan;
  • When considered only Playoff regulation games, this is the 2nd highest scoring performance, and the record belongs to Elgin Baylor, with 61 in 1962.

NBA rebounding records

  • Chamberlain also holds the next two highest averages with 27.0 in 1959–60 and 25.7 in 1961–62)
  • Chamberlain and Bill Russell occupy the top 18 spots on this list (9 each).
  • Chamberlain also holds the next six highest totals.
  • Chamberlain, as a rookie, also grabbed 43 rebounds in one game, 42 in two others, and 40 in another.
  • Chamberlain also has the second-most, with 437 in 1967 Playoffs.
  • Game 3 victory in the Eastern Division finals.
  • Also an NBA Finals record.
  • Also an NBA Finals record for a 6-game series.
  • Scored a then-playoff record 53 points (still a rookie record) in the same game (a game 5 victory).

Other selected rebound facts

  • 2nd-highest playoff career average (24.5) – record held by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most consecutive seasons with 1,000+ rebounds (10) – record held by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most rebounds in a half (31 vs. the Boston Celtics on November 24, 1960) – record held by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most rebounds in a quarter (17 vs. the Syracuse Nationals on February 5, 1960) – record held by Nate Thurmond, 2nd place is shared with three performances by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most rebounds in a 3-game NBA Playoff series (69 vs. the Syracuse Nationals in 1961) – record held by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most rebounds in a 4-game NBA Playoff series (106 vs. the Cincinnati Royals in 1967) – record held by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most consecutive games 20+ rebounds in the NBA Finals (12 over a series of games in the 1964, 1967, and 1969 finals) – record held by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most consecutive games 30+ rebounds in the NBA Finals (2 in 1967 finals, 2 in 1969 finals) – record held by Bill Russell; 2nd place is also shared by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most rebounds in a 5-game NBA Finals (vs. Boston Celtics in 1967) – record held by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-most rebounds in a 7-game NBA Finals (vs. Boston Celtics in 1969) – record held by Bill Russell
  • 2nd-highest rebounding average in the NBA All-Star Game (15.2) – record held by Bob Pettit
  • 3rd-highest rebounding average in an NBA Finals series (28.5 in 1967) – first two spots held by Bill Russell
  • Chamberlain never grabbed fewer than 10 rebounds in any of playoff games he logged
  • Chamberlain never averaged fewer than 18 rebounds in a season
Distinction also held by Bill Russell
  • Chamberlain never averaged fewer than 20 rebounds in a postseason
Distinction also held by Bill Russell
  • Chamberlain is the only player to grab more than 2,000 rebounds in a single season: 2,149 rebounds in the 1960–61 season and 2,052 in 1961–62.
  • Chamberlain's 1961–62 season stat line: 4,029 points (50.4 ppg) and 2,052 rebounds (25.7 rpg).

NBA versatility records

Other selected versatility facts

  • Chamberlain also holds the third spot: 31.74 in 1962 season.
  • Only player in NBA history to lead the league in points and rebounds the same season (a feat he accomplished six times)
  • One of only three players in NBA history to lead the league in points and field goal percentage the same season (a feat he accomplished four times)
  • Only player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounds and assists the same season (a feat he accomplished during the '67-68 season)
  • Only player in NBA history to lead the league in points, assists, and rebounds in any season
  • Only player in NBA history to lead the postseason in points, rebounds, assists and field percentage in any postseason
  • Only player to lead the league in rebounds and assists in the same postseason (a feat he accomplished during the '66-67 Playoffs)
  • One of only two players in NBA history to record a double-triple-double (20+ in three different categories)
  • On February 2, 1968, against the Detroit Pistons, he logged 22 points, 25 rebounds, and 21 assists. [19]
  • Only player in NBA history to record a double-quadruple (40+ in two different categories) (a feat he performed 8 times).
  • On November 4, 1959, Chamberlain, in his third game in the NBA, scored 41 points and grabbed a then-rookie record 40 rebounds against the Syracuse Nationals.
  • On January 15, 1960, Chamberlain, as a rookie, scored 44 points and grabbed 43 rebounds against the Boston Celtics.
  • On January 25, 1960, Chamberlain, as a rookie, scored an NBA rookie record 58 points and grabbed 42 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.
  • On February 6, 1960, Chamberlain, as a rookie, scored 44 points and grabbed an NBA rookie record 45 rebounds against the Syracuse Nationals.
  • On January 21, 1961, Chamberlain scored 56 points and grabbed 45 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • On December 8, 1961, Chamberlain scored a then-record 78 points and collected 43 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • On October 26, 1962, Chamberlain scored 50 points and grabbed 41 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.
  • On November 22, 1964, Chamberlain scored 50 points and grabbed 40 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons.
  • Chamberlain led the league in total assists 1967–68, with 702 assists (he did not lead the league in assists per game): he remains the only center to lead the league in assists.
  • Most 30-30 games (at least 30 points and rebounds) in the history of NBA: 124;
  • All the other NBA players combine to 32 games. [20]
  • 2nd-most games leading both teams in points, rebounds and assists: 33 (record held by Russell Westbrook, 2nd place is shared with LeBron James)
  • Only player in NBA history to average at least 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists in the same season. Chamberlain did it in 1966–67 and 1967–68
  • Only player in NBA history to average at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a 7-game Finals series (23.3 points and 24.1 rebounds, performed during the 1970 NBA Finals)
  • Chamberlain also had a field goal percentage of 62.5% (70/112) during that series.
  • 3rd-most double-doubles in the Playoffs: 143
  • 7th-most triple-doubles, career: 78
  • Chamberlain is one of only two centers among the first 17 names, the other being Nikola Jokic.
  • Third most points scored in regulation in a triple-double game (53 points, along with 32 rebounds and 14 assists) (March 18, 1968). James Harden scored 60 in a triple-double with 11 assists and 10 rebounds January 30, 2018. Russell Westbrook scored 57 in a triple-double with 11 assists and 13 rebounds March 29, 2017.
  • Second most consecutive triple-doubles (9) (March 8–20, 1968). Russell Westbrook has the most consecutive triple-doubles with 11.
  • Second most double-doubles at the All-Star Game - (7)

NBA durability records

  • Chamberlain also holds the next four most with 3,836 in 1967–68, 3,806 in 1962–63, 3,773 in 1960–61, and 3,737 in 1965–66
  • Chamberlain holds the top 7 spots in this category
  • Chamberlain's 3,882 minutes played out of the team's possible 3,890 left an average of six seconds of rest per game.
  • A regulation NBA basketball game is 48 minutes long.

Other selected durability facts

  • 3rd-most minutes played in the NBA All-Star Game: 388;
  • 3rd-oldest player to win Finals MVP award: 35 years, 8 months, 14 days old in 1972;
  • the oldest is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38 years, 1 month, 23 days old in 1985) and the Second is LeBron James (35 years, 9 months, 11 days old in 2020)
  • 2nd-oldest player to lead the league in rebounds: 36 years, 8 months in 1973;
  • 2nd-oldest player in NBA history to score at least 60 points in a game: 32 years, 126 days (66 points vs. Phoenix Suns on Feb 9, 1969)
  • the oldest is Kobe Bryant (scored 60 points at age 37 years, 7 months and 20 days)
  • Chamberlain remains the oldest player to score more than 60 points in a game.
  • Chamberlain is also the third- and fourth-oldest player to score at least 60 points in a game.

NBA accuracy records

  • Chamberlain also holds the next three most with 16 (March 19, 1967), 15 (January 20, 1967) and 14 (March 11, 1969)
  • Chamberlain also holds the next three highest averages.
  • Chamberlain also holds the next six highest totals.

Other selected accuracy facts

  • 2nd-most seasons leading NBA in field goal percentage (9) – record held by Shaquille O'Neal (10)
  • One of only four players to lead NBA Playoffs in field goal percentage for more than one season (in 1964 and 1969)
  • 2nd-most free throws missed in a game (22, vs. Seattle SuperSonics, December 1, 1967) – record held by Andre Drummond (23)
  • 2nd-most free throws attempted in a game with none made (10 vs. the Detroit Pistons on 11/04/1960) – record held by Shaquille O'Neal (11) (12/08/2000)
  • 3rd-most free throws missed in a playoff game (17, vs. Boston Celtics, April 12, 1966) – record held by Shaquille O'Neal (21); 2nd place held by DeAndre Jordan (20)
  • 3rd-lowest career free-throw percentage in NBA history (minimum 1,200 attempts) – record held by Ben Wallace

Accolades

In addition to his many statistical accomplishments, Chamberlain also had a successful career. He is a two-time NBA Champion (1967, 1972) and a six-time NBA Finalist (1964, 1967, 1969–70, 1972–73), was voted NBA MVP 4 times (1959–60, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68) and NBA Finals MVP once (1972), was elected to 7 All-NBA First Teams (1960–62, 1964, 1966–68), 3 All-NBA Second Teams (1963, 1965, 1972) and also made two All-Defensive First Teams (1972, 1973). Along with Wes Unseld, he is one of two players to have won the Rookie of the Year and the MVP awards in the same year, being the only one to add NBA All-Star Game MVP to this list. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilt Chamberlain</span> American basketball player (1936–1999)

Wilton Norman Chamberlain was an American professional basketball player. Standing 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) tall, he played center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 seasons. Often regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, Chamberlain was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978 and elected to the NBA's 35th, 50th, and 75th anniversary teams. Following his professional basketball career, Chamberlain played volleyball in the short-lived International Volleyball Association (IVA). He served one term as league president and is enshrined in the IVA Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Lucas</span> American basketball player and author (born 1940)

Jerry Ray Lucas is an American former basketball player. He was a nationally awarded high school player, national college star at Ohio State University, and 1960 gold medal Olympian and international player before later starring as a professional player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NBA Finals</span> Championship series of the National Basketball Association

The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Eastern and Western Conference champions play a best-of-seven series to determine the league champion. The team that wins the series is awarded the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, which replaced the original Walter A. Brown Trophy in 1976–77, though under the same name until 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walt Bellamy</span> American basketball player (1939–2013)

Walter Jones Bellamy was an American professional basketball player. A four-time NBA All-Star, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Cunningham</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1943)

William John Cunningham is an American former professional basketball player and coach, who was nicknamed the Kangaroo Kid for his leaping and record-setting rebounding abilities. He spent a total of 17 seasons with the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers, and two seasons as a player with the Carolina Cougars of the ABA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Pettit</span> American former basketball player and coach (born 1932)

Robert E. Lee Pettit Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965). In 1956, he became the first recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award and he won the award again in 1959. He also won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award four times. As of the end of 2023-2024 regular season, Pettit is still the only regular season MVP in the history of the Hawks. Pettit is the leader for most career rebounds (12,849), and most rebounds per game with 16.2 in Hawks franchise history.

The 1991–92 NBA season was the 46th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season ended with the Chicago Bulls winning their second straight NBA Championship, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals. This was Larry Bird's final season as a player in the NBA.

The 1966–67 NBA season was the 21st season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Philadelphia 76ers winning the NBA Championship, beating the San Francisco Warriors 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals, ending the Boston Celtics' record title run at 8.

The 1963–64 NBA season was the 18th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Boston Celtics winning their 6th straight NBA Championship, beating the San Francisco Warriors 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals.

The 1961–62 NBA season was the 16th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Boston Celtics winning their 4th straight NBA title, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bailey Howell</span> American basketball player (born 1937)

Bailey E. Howell is an American former professional basketball player. After playing college basketball at Mississippi State, Howell played 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Howell was a six-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA champion and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill McGill</span> American basketball player (1939–2014)

Bill "The Hill" McGill was an American basketball player best known for inventing the jump hook. McGill was the No. 1 overall pick of the 1962 NBA draft out of the University of Utah, with whom he led the NCAA in scoring with 38.8 points per game in the 1961–1962 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Los Angeles Lakers accomplishments and records</span>

This page details the all-time statistics, records, and other achievements pertaining to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team currently playing in the National Basketball Association.

The 1961–62 Philadelphia Warriors season was the sixteenth season for the National Basketball Association franchise in Philadelphia, and the last before their relocation to San Francisco, California, for the following season.

References

  1. 1 2 "Chamberlain towered over NBA". ESPN.com. October 14, 1999. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  2. ↑ Deford, Frank (October 12, 1999). "Just doing fine, my man". CNN. Archived from the original on August 18, 2000. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  3. ↑ Lazenby, Roland (February 14, 2007). "Big Norman". Archived from the original on January 3, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Wilt Chamberlain Statistics". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference. February 14, 2007. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  5. ↑ "ESPN: Top North American athletes of the century". ESPN.com. October 29, 1999. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  6. ↑ "SLAM 500 Greatest NBA Players of All Time". Slam. June 19, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Wilt Chamberlain Biography". Hoophall.com. February 10, 2007. Archived from the original on April 4, 2004. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  8. ↑ nba.com/history (2007-04-22). "Wilt Chamberlain's NBA Records". NBA.com .
  9. ↑ Schwartz, Larry (February 10, 2007). "Wilt battled loser label" . Retrieved January 26, 2008.
  10. ↑ Heisler, Mark: "Giants: Big Men Who Shook the NBA", page 14. Triumph Books
  11. ↑ ProBasketballNews.com Archived 2007-03-23 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ @ESPNStatsInfo (26 January 2019). "James Harden has now led all players in scoring in 22 straight games.According to Elias Sports Bureau, the only l…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ @nbastats (26 January 2019). "#JamesHarden (35 PTS on Friday) has been the outright leading scorer (for both teams) in each of his last 22 games.…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ↑ @EliasSports (3 March 2019). "James Harden has outscored each of his teammates in each of his last 40 regular-season games. That's the 6th-longes…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ↑ blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2014/11/09/duncan-earns-800th-career-double-double/
  16. ↑ "NBA: Is Wilt Chamberlain the Most Undersold Superstar in NBA History?". Bleacher Report .
  17. ↑ "ESPN - Elias Says: Sports Statistics - Stats from the Elias Sports Bureau - ESPN". Archived from the original on 2012-11-06. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  18. ↑ "NBA & ABA Single Season Leaders and Records for Player Efficiency Rating".
  19. ↑ Triple Doubles
  20. ↑ "Dwight Howard becomes just eighth player to grab 30 points and 30 rebounds in a game". TheGuardian.com . 22 March 2018.
  21. ↑ "Spurs vs. Grizzlies - Game Recap - May 25, 2013 - ESPN".
  22. ↑ nba.com. "Calderon seems perfectly aligned to set free-throw mark". NBA.com . Retrieved April 9, 2009.

22.https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/per_season.html

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.