The most statistically dominant player in NBA history — scored 100 points in a single game and averaged 50.4 points per game in 1961-62.
Wilton Norman Chamberlain was born in Philadelphia in 1936 and became the most physically dominant player in NBA history, establishing records that may never be approached. He joined the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959 after a year with the Harlem Globetrotters and played for the Warriors, 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers across 14 seasons. His 30.1 ppg career average equals Jordan for the highest in NBA history — achieved across 1,045 regular season games. His 22.9 rebounds per game is the highest ever by a wide margin. His 100-point game against the New York Knicks on 2 March 1962 — in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with no television coverage — is the most celebrated individual performance in NBA history. That same 1961–62 season he averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game across 80 games. He scored 31,419 career points and grabbed 23,924 rebounds — the all-time record. He won 4 MVPs and 2 championships. His top speed of 42.3 km/h was extraordinary for a 7ft 1in, 300lb centre. He played 47,859 regular season minutes. He never fouled out of a game in his entire NBA career. He won 7 scoring titles and 11 rebounding titles. He later claimed he had slept with 20,000 women — the most discussed off-court statistic in sports history.
100-point game, dominant scoring and rebounding
How They Played
Dominant center with exceptional scoring and rebounding
Lasting Impact
One of basketball's most dominant players ever
NBA Champion 1967 (Philadelphia 76ers), 1972 (Los Angeles Lakers)
He scored 100 points in a single game in 1962 — a record that has never remotely been approached.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- NBA Champion 1967 (Philadelphia 76ers), 1972 (Los Angeles Lakers)
- NBA MVP 1960, 1966, 1967, 1968
- All-Star 13x
- Scoring Title 7x
- Rebounding Title 11x
- 100-point game (March 2, 1962)
- All-NBA First Team 7x