"GREASTEST NBA PLAYERS EVER"

1. Julius Erving

Actor | Philadelphia

One of the NBA's first superstars Julius Erving's high flying hard powered style brought the NBA and basketball to levels previously unheard of. Julius Erving was born in Hempstead New York in 1950. He grew up in a housing project, the son of a single mother, with two siblings. His father having ...

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Actor | Airplane!

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American retired professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. During his career as a center, Abdul-Jabbar was a record six-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), a record...

3. Magic Johnson

Producer | Obsessed

Magic Johnson was born on August 14, 1959 in Lansing, Michigan, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Obsessed (2009), Dead Tone (2007) and Hair Show (2004). He has been married to Cookie Johnson since September 14, 1991. They have two children.

4. Michael Jordan

Actor | Space Jam

Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 17, 1963. He was the fourth of five children born to James and Deloris. James Jordan was a mechanic and Deloris Jordan was a bank teller. Soon after Michael's birth, James and Deloris felt that the streets of Brooklyn were unsafe to ...

5. Larry Bird

Actor | Space Jam

Larry Bird graduated from Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Indiana in 1974. He attended Indiana University briefly, then transferred to Indiana State University in Terre Haute. He then embarked on an outstanding basketball career, establishing himself as one of the best shooting forwards ...

6. George Gervin

Actor | Uncle Drew

George Gervin was born on April 27, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He is an actor, known for Uncle Drew (2018), Greatest Sports Legends (1972) and NB80's (2011). He has been married to Joyce King since October 9, 1985. He was previously married to Joyce King.

7. Clyde Drexler

Actor | The Sentinel

Clyde Drexler is an American former professional basketball player who was the commissioner of the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league. Nicknamed "Clyde the Glide", Drexler played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), spending a majority of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers ...

8. Karl Malone

Actor | After the Sunset

Karl Malone is an American retired professional basketball player.

Malone played the power forward position and spent his first 18 seasons (1985-2003) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Utah Jazz and formed a formidable duo with his teammate John Stockton. Malone also played one ...

9. John Stockton

Director | Standing Up

John attended Sunderland University (2007-2011) and received a first for his final film "Wheelies". He also received a first for his overall degree in Media Production Video and New Media. He went on to study at Shiney Row college for a teaching qualification. He received a PTLLS award in March ...

10. Hakeem Olajuwon

Actor | Heaven Is a Playground

Hakeem Olajuwon, is a Nigerian-American former professional basketball player. From 1984 to 2002, he played the center position in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors. He led the Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. In ...

11. Dennis Rodman

Actor | Double Team

Dennis Rodman is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was nicknamed "The Worm" and is famous for his fierce defensive and ...

12. Peter Maravich

Writer | The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend

Peter Maravich was born on June 22, 1947 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, USA. He was a writer, known for The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend (1991), Scoring (1979) and The NBA on CBS (1973). He was married to Jackie Elliser. He died on January 5, 1988 in Pasadena, California, USA.

13. Jerry West

Actor | Uncle Drew

Jerry West was born on May 28, 1938 in Chelyan, West Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Uncle Drew (2018), Arli$$ (1996) and Vince's Places (2022). He has been married to Karen Christine Bua since May 28, 1978. They have two children. He was previously married to Martha Jane Kane.

14. Elgin Baylor

Actor | Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

Elgin Baylor (born September 16, 1934) is an American former basketball player, coach, and executive. He played 14 seasons as a small forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers, appearing in eight NBA Finals. Baylor was a gifted shooter, strong ...

15. James Worthy

Actor | Star Trek: The Next Generation

James Worthy is an American former professional basketball player who is a commentator, television host, and analyst. Named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, "Big Game James" was a seven-time NBA All-Star, three-time NBA champion, and the 1988 NBA Finals MVP with the Los Angeles Lakers...

16. Wilt Chamberlain

Actor | Conan the Destroyer

Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Olivia Ruth (Johnson), a domestic worker, and William Chamberlain, a welder, custodian, and handyman. Wilt didn't come from a race of giants as many thought. Both his parents were no bigger than 5-9, but as a young boy he began a ...

17. Bill Russell

Actor | On the Right Track

The term Dynasty might have never applied to Basketball had it not been for Bill Russell. In the History of professional sports there has never been an athlete who has more accolades or championships, in other words Bill Russell was not only a champion, but he was perhaps the definition of a ...

18. Walt Frazier

Actor | Eddie

Walt Frazier was born on March 29, 1945 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is an actor, known for Eddie (1996), 3 A.M. (2001) and Aaron Loves Angela (1975). He was previously married to Marsha Ann Clark.

19. Bob Cousy

Actor | Celtic Pride

Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Cousy entered the NBA in 1950, and became the foundation of the great Boston Celtic teams of the 50's and 60's. On retiring from the Celtics in 63, Cousy accepted the job of head coach at Boston college and built it into a respected 5 time NCAA Tournament team. Cousy ...

20. Artis Gilmore

Actor | The White Shadow

Artis Gilmore was born on September 21, 1949 in Chipley, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for The White Shadow (1978), Bulls Podcast (2018) and The NBA on CBS (1973). He has been married to Enola Gay since July 1, 1972. They have five children.

21. Patrick Ewing

Actor | Space Jam

Patrick Ewing is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and head coach of the Georgetown University men's basketball team. He played most of his career as the starting center of the NBA's New York Knicks and also played briefly with the Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic.

...

22. Robert Parish

Actor | Inside Moves

Robert Parish is an American retired basketball center who played 21 seasons in the NBA, tied for second most in league history. He played an NBA-record 1,611 regular season games in his career. Parish was known for his strong defense, high arcing jump shots, and clutch rebounding late in games.

...

23. George Mikan

Self | To Tell the Truth

George Mikan is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Invariably playing with thick, round ...

24. Allen Iverson

Actor | Hustle

One of the most controversial Basketball players of all time, Allen Iverson is one of the most loved and hated figures in Basketball. Born Allen Ezail Iverson in Hampton, Virginia, he grew up very poor to a struggling mother and a father who deserted him. Growing up, he was very athletic, playing ...

25. Ray Allen

Actor | He Got Game

Ray Allen was born at Castle Air Force Base, near Merced, California, to Flora (Day) and Walter Allen, Sr. He graduated from Hillcrest High school in Dalzell, South Carolina in 1993 after taking the varsity basketball team (the Wildcats) to the State Championships. He was the 1996 Big East Player ...

26. Kobe Bryant

Producer | Dear Basketball

Kobe Bean Bryant was an American professional basketball player. A shooting guard, he spent his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Bryant won five NBA championships, ...

27. Jason Kidd

Actor | Like Mike

Jason Kidd is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Previously a point guard in the NBA, Kidd was a 10-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA First Team member, and a nine-time ...

28. Steve Nash

Self | Life as We Know It

Steve Nash is a Canadian former professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an eight-time NBA All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA selection. Twice, Steve Nash was named the NBA Most Valuable Player while playing for the Phoenix Suns. He ...

29. Charles Barkley

Actor | Hot Shots!

Charles Barkley is an American retired professional basketball player who is an analyst on Inside the NBA (1988).

Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominant power forwards. An All-American power forward at Auburn University, he was drafted as a junior ...

30. Tyrone Bogues

Actor | Space Jam

Tyrone Bogues was born on January 9, 1965 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Space Jam (1996), Juwanna Mann (2002) and Eddie (1996). He has been married to Kimberly Bogues since January 9, 2015. He was previously married to Kimberly Bogues.

31. Nick Van Exel

Actor | Eddie

Nick Van Exel was born on November 27, 1971 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Eddie (1996), The Safe Guard and Hip Hop: Don't Stop (2014).

32. Glen Rice

Actor | Arli$$

A 6-8 forward who is one of the top shooters in basketball, Rice left the Wolverines as the leading scorer in Big Ten history with 2,442 points. A member of the The Sporting News All-America Second Team as a senior, he powered Michigan to the NCAA Championship in 1989 with a string of performances ...

33. Ron Harper

Actor | Kenan & Kel

Ron Harper was born on January 20, 1964 in Dayton, Ohio, USA. He is an actor, known for Kenan & Kel (1996), NBA on NBC (1990) and The 2000 NBA Finals (2000).

34. Shaquille O'Neal

Actor | Steel

Shaquille O'Neal is a retired professional American basketball player who is a sports analyst on the television program Inside the NBA on TNT. He is considered one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. He was one of the tallest and heaviest players ever. O'Neal ...

35. Kevin McHale

Actor | Cheers

Kevin Edward McHale (born December 19, 1957) is an American retired basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics. He is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and is regarded as one of the best power forwards of all time. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary...

36. Robert Horry

Actor | The Lincoln Lawyer

Robert Horry was born on August 25, 1970 in Andalusia, Alabama, USA. He is an actor, known for The Lincoln Lawyer (2022), Passions (1999) and Eve (2003). He has been married to Keva Develle since July 5, 1997. They have two children.

37. LeBron James

Producer | Space Jam: A New Legacy

LeBron James is an American basketball player and film producer who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers. He is one of the most accomplished basketball players of the 21st century. He played himself in Space Jam: A New Legacy and Trainwreck. He is the owner of a ...

38. Dwyane Wade

Actor | What to Expect When You're Expecting

Dwyane Wade was born on January 17, 1982 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012), Shot in the Dark (2017) and Relentless. He has been married to Gabrielle Union since August 30, 2014. They have one child. He was previously married...

39. Kevin Garnett

Actor | Uncut Gems

Kevin Garnett is an American former professional basketball player who played for 21 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Known for his intensity, defensive ability, and versatility, Garnett is considered one of the greatest power forwards of all time. He is one of four NBA players ...

40. Amar'e Stoudemire

Actor | MacGruber

Amar'e Stoudemire was born on November 16, 1982 in Lake Wales, Florida, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for MacGruber (2010), Trainwreck (2015) and New Year's Eve (2011). He has been married to Alexis Welch since December 12, 2012. They have four children.

41. Tracy McGrady

Actor | Like Mike

Tracy McGrady was born on May 24, 1979 in Bartow, Florida, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Like Mike (2002), Arli$$ (1996) and Adidas Originals: Superstar - Change Is a Team Sport (2020). He has been married to Clarenda Harris since September 12, 2006. They have four children.

42. Kevin Durant

Producer | Swagger

Kevin Durant was born on September 29, 1988 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Swagger (2021), Two Distant Strangers (2020) and The 2017 NBA Finals (2017).

43. Vince Carter

Actor | Like Mike

Vince Carter was born on January 26, 1977 in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Like Mike (2002), NBA Today (1992) and WWE Smackdown! (1999). He is married to Sondi Carter. They have two children. He was previously married to Ellen Rucker.

44. Dirk Nowitzki

Actor | Hustle

Dirk Nowitzki was born on Monday, June 19th, 1978, in Wurzburg, Bavaria, Germany, Europe, as Dirk Werner Nowitzki. Dirk is a very active athlete & has become an actor, in sports events, especially basketball. He is best-known for being 24 for 24 in Western Conference Finals' Game 1, on Tuesday, May...

45. Jason Terry

Actor | West Wing Week

Jason Terry is an American former professional basketball player who played 19 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

He played combo guard. With the Dallas Mavericks, Terry won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2009 and an NBA championship in 2011. As of March 2020, Terry has ...

46. J.J. Barea

Self | Bar Rescue

J.J. Barea was born on June 26, 1984 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.

47. Earl Monroe

He Got Game

Earl Monroe was born on November 21, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for He Got Game (1998), Uncle Drew (2018) and Basketball: A Love Story (2018).

48. Dominique Wilkins

Actor | Billions

Dominique Wilkins is an American retired professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Wilkins was a nine-time NBA All-Star, and is widely viewed as one of the best dunkers in NBA history, earning the nickname "The Human ...

49. Dennis Johnson

Self | The Thin Blue Line

50. Gary Payton

Actor | After the Sunset

Gary Payton played his high school basketball at Skyline High School in Oakland, California before attending Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Throughout his four-year career at OSU, he became one of the most decorated basketball players in OSU history. During his senior year, Payton ...

51. Reggie Miller

Actor | He Got Game

Reggie Miller is an American retired professional basketball player who played his entire 18-year National Basketball Association (NBA) career with the Indiana Pacers.

Miller was known for his precision three-point shooting, especially in pressure situations and most notably against the New York ...

52. Rasheed Wallace

Actor | Juwanna Mann

Rasheed Wallace was born on September 17, 1974 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Juwanna Mann (2002), Like Mike (2002) and The 2010 NBA Finals (2010). He has been married to Fatima Sanders since July 18, 1998. They have four children.

53. Willis Reed

Self | Four Square Miles to Glory

Willis Reed was born on June 25, 1942 in Hico, Louisiana, USA. He was married to Gale Kennedy and Geraldine Oliver. He died on March 21, 2023 in Houston, Texas, USA.

54. Mo Cheeks

Actor | Hustle

Mo Cheeks was born on September 8, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor, known for Hustle (2022), 1982 NBA Finals (1982) and The 1983 NBA Finals (1983).

55. Gail Goodrich

Actor | Mannix

Gail Charles Goodrich Jr. is an American retired professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is best known for scoring a then record 42 points for UCLA in the 1965 NCAA championship game vs. Michigan, and his part in the Los Angeles Lakers' 1971-72 season. During...

56. Moses Malone

Self | The 1983 NBA Finals

Moses Malone is an American basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1974 through 1995.

A center, he was named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times, was a 12-time NBA All-Star and an eight-time All-NBA...

57. Lenny Wilkens

Producer | Rise Above

Lenny Wilkens was born on October 28, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is a producer, known for Rise Above, Four Square Miles to Glory and The NBA on CBS (1973). He has been married to Marilyn J. Reed since July 28, 1962. They have three children.

58. Connie Hawkins

Actor | The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh

Connie Hawkins was born on July 17, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979), The NBA on CBS (1973) and NBA Hardwood Classics (1992). He died on October 6, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

59. Chris Webber

Actor | Uncle Drew

Chris Webber is an American former professional basketball player. He is a five-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA Team member, a former NBA Rookie of the Year, and a former number one overall NBA draftee. As a collegiate athlete, he was a first-team All-American and led the Michigan Wolverines...

60. Michael Finley

Producer | Sanctum

Michael Finley was born and raised in Maywood, Illinois and became a standout basketball player at Proviso East High School. Finley later attended the University of Wisconsin, where he majored in business and averaged over 20 points per game. He finished his career as the all time leading scorer in...

61. Alonzo Mourning

Actor | Space Jam

Alonzo Mourning was born on February 8, 1970 in Chesapeake, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Space Jam (1996), Like Mike (2002) and Arli$$ (1996). He has been married to Tracy Mourning since August 30, 1997. They have three children.

62. Yao Ming

Actor | Seola's Journal

Yao Ming was born on September 12, 1980 in Shanghai, China. He is an actor, known for Seola's Journal, Amazing (2013) and Yao Ming and Children Affected b HIV/AIDS (2005). He has been married to Ye Li since August 6, 2007. They have one child.

63. Rick Barry

Actor | Uncle Drew

Rick Barry will go down as one of the greatest, albeit misunderstood and controversial, stars in basketball history. He was born in New Jersey and, after a successful high school career, enrolled at the University of Miami (Florida). With a dead-eye outside shot, Barry put Hurricane basketball on ...

64. Bill Walton

Actor | Little Nicky

William Theodore Walton III (born November 5, 1952) is an American retired basketball player and television sportscaster. Walton played for John Wooden and the UCLA Bruins in the early 1970s, winning three successive College Player of the Year Awards. He led the UCLA Bruins to two NCAA ...

65. Isiah Thomas

Producer | Playin' for Love

Isiah Thomas is an American former basketball player who played professionally for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A point guard, the 12-time NBA All-Star was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball ...

66. Carmelo Anthony

Actor | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows

Carmelo Anthony is an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He has been named an NBA All-Star ten times and an All-NBA Team member six times. He played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange, winning a national ...

67. Manu Ginóbili

Actor | The Equalizer 2 Promo

Manu Ginóbili was born on July 28, 1977 in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is an actor, known for The Equalizer 2 Promo (2018), The NBA on TNT (1988) and León, reflejos de una pasión (2015). He has been married to Marianela Orono since July 11, 2004. They have three children.

68. Derek Fisher

Actor | The Fix

Derek Fisher was born on August 9, 1974 in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. He is an actor, known for The Fix (2019), Arli$$ (1996) and The Jamie Foxx Show (1996). He was previously married to Candace Fisher.

69. Danny Ainge

Actor | Space Jam

Danny Ainge was one of the best basketball players in the history of Brigham Young University (BYU). He won the Wooden Award as the college player of the year in 1981, but seemed intent on pursuing baseball as a career. He joined the Toronto Blue Jays minor league organization, but after batting ...

70. Michael Cooper

Actor | Men of a Certain Age

Michael Jerome Cooper (born April 15, 1956) is an American basketball coach and former player. He was most recently the head coach of the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Prior to joining Atlanta, he coached women's college basketball with the USC Trojans. former...

71. Byron Scott

Actor | Fallen

Byron Scott was born on March 28, 1961 in Ogden, Utah, USA. He is an actor, known for Fallen (1998), The NBA on CBS (1973) and The 1984 NBA Finals (1984). He has been married to Cece Gutierrez since July 11, 2020. He was previously married to Anita Carter.

72. Grant Hill

Actor | What Men Want

Grant Hill is a retired American professional basketball player who was a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks. After playing college basketball for Duke University, Hill played for four teams in his professional career in the National Basketball Association (NBA): The Detroit Pistons, the Orlando Magic, ...

73. Chauncey Billups

Producer | Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All-Star Comedy Jam - Live from Dallas

Chauncey Billups was born on September 25, 1976 in Denver, Colorado, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Shaquille O'Neal Presents: All-Star Comedy Jam - Live from Dallas (2010), The 2005 NBA Finals (2005) and NBA Ballers: Phenom (2006). He has been married to Piper Riley since July 14, ...

74. Baron Davis

Producer | The Drew: No Excuse, Just Produce

Baron Davis was born on April 13, 1979 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for The Drew: No Excuse, Just Produce (2015), That's My Boy (2012) and DOMINO: Battle of the Bones (2021). He has been married to Isabella Brewster since January 30, 2014. They have two ...

75. Shawn Marion

Actor | Slamball

Shawn Marion was born on May 7, 1978 in Waukegan, Illinois, USA. He is an actor, known for SlamBall (2002), Road to the Championship (2011) and Gone in an Instant (2020).