Basketball Centers are the tallest athletes on the team and typically the tallest athletes in the world. Centers can strike fear in opponents - and who wouldn't at more than 7' tall.
Wilt Chamberlain by his own reckoning was the greatest basketball player who ever lived. He retired after 14 seasons in 1973 after having recorded 31419 points and 23924 rebounds. Learn more about this Hall of Fame basketball player. See more »
Artis Gilmore ranks as the most accurate shooter in professional basketball history, but he was not elected to the NBA Hall of Fame -- which has puzzled many people, because his records stand to this day.
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Bill Russell was named 'the Greatest Player in the History of the NBA' in 1980. His scoring record may have been lacking, but he was an amazing defensive player who could dominate a game. Learn more about this basketball legend.
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Bill Walton is considered one of the most versatile centers of all time, despite many injuries. Though his style didn't appeal to everyone, he was a leader to his teammates. Learn more about Bill Walton and his 14-year career.
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Bob Lanier played in eight All-Star Games, winning MVP honors at the 1974 renewal. He retired after having his eighth knee surgery in 1984. He entered the NBA Hall of Fame in 1991. Get details about Bob Lanier and his career totals.
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Dave Cowens, who spurred the Celtics to two championships, was the second-leading rebounder in franchise history. He retired from professional play in 1980 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990. Read about Cowens's NBA career.
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David Robinson is one of four players in history to score 70 points in an NBA game. What's even more unbelievable is that 'The Admiral' was mainly a defensive player. Learn more about David Robinson's career highs, awards and titles.
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In 1950 the Associated Press honored George Mikan as the best basketball player of the first half of the 20th century. He was known as a fierce competitor who often muscled his way to the basket for easy shots.
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Hakeem Olajuwon averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first 12 seasons with the Houston Rockets. He retired in 2002 and is considered one of the five best centers in NBA history. Read about Hakeem Olajuwon's averages.
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played center in the NBA for a record 20 years. He is famous for holding the record for the most points scored in NBA history, with 38,387. Learn more about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his signature 'sky hook.'
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Moses Malone played 21 seasons, won three NBA MVPs and set a record for most career offensive rebounds. He holds the record for going 1212 games without a disqualification.
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Patrick Ewing, throughout his career, changed his basketball personality to an extent that few players do. He was one of the most complete pivotmen in college and professional basketball history.
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Ralph Sampson won National Player of the Year honors three straight years, but enjoyed only brief success in the NBA. He was recruited heavily but suffered several knee problems.
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Robert Parish played more games than any player in history and won four championship rings. His career ended with the Chicago Bulls, who ironically were torn over whether or not to draft him 20 years earlier.
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Shaquille O'Neal, one of the most dominant figures in NBA history, earns millions a year as a movie/rap star. O'Neal ranks with Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell as one of the best centers to ever play the game.
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Willis Reed was the first player named MVP of the regular season All-Star Game and NBA Finals in the same season (1970). He retired in 1974 and went on to coach the Knicks and Nets. He entered the Hall of Fame in 1981. Read more about Willis Reed.
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Wilt Chamberlain by his own reckoning was the greatest basketball player who ever lived. He retired after 14 seasons in 1973 after having recorded 31419 points and 23924 rebounds. Learn more about this Hall of Fame basketball player.
See more »Elvin Hayes tied for sixth best in NBA scoring history and had a nine-year run with the Bullets. He played 1,303 games, a record at that time, and exactly 50,000 minutes. Read more about Elvin Hayes and his greatest moments.
See more »Meadowlark Lemon joined the Harlem Globetrotters in 1954 and played several thousand games over the next 25 years. The highlights of his act included amazing ball-handling and hook-shots from half court.
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