The first player to record an official quadruple-double — an elite defensive center of the 1960s and 1970s.
Nathaniel Thurmond was born in Akron, Ohio in 1941 and attended Bowling Green State University. San Francisco Warriors selected him third overall in the 1963 NBA Draft. His 14-season career produced averages of 15.0 points and 15.0 rebounds per game along with seven All-Star appearances. He is credited with recording the first official quadruple-double in NBA history — achieving it with the Chicago Bulls in October 1974 with 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocks. He was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team five times. He was selected to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996. He averaged 15.0 rebounds per game across his career — among the highest career rebounding averages in NBA history. He was considered the finest defensive center of the mid-1960s to early 1970s — his ability to contest shots, hold position against larger opponents and organise defensive rotations was rated by coaches as the best of his era. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. His legacy has been somewhat obscured by playing in San Francisco rather than a major market, but within basketball circles his defensive excellence was widely recognised.
Dominant defensive center and shot-blocking pioneer
How They Played
Defensive anchor with exceptional shot-blocking and rebounding skills
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest defensive centers in NBA history, revolutionized shot-blocking
All-Star 7x
Career Honours
- All-Star 7x
- All-NBA Defensive First Team 5x
- Hall of Fame (1985)
- NBA 50th Anniversary Team