The greatest basketball players of all time

Joel Embiid, Cameroonian center and league scoring champion for the Philadelphia 76ers, is starting to pave a path of his own. Embiid was named the NBA's most valuable player for the 2022-23 season—only the league's second winner from Africa—beating out two-time MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets with 73 votes compared to Jokic's 19, per the BBC.

The 29-year-old averaged 33.1 points to win his second straight scoring title, averaged 10.2 rebounds and tied a career high with 4.2 assists per game. Embiid played in 66 games this season, the second-highest total of his career, but suffered injuries in the playoffs and has been sidelined with a sprained right knee, though his team won the opening game of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against Boston on May 1, 2023. Many are waiting in anticipation to see whether Embiid can make it to the roster of the best of the best in the NBA.

1 / 33 Fotos

Lebron James -

LeBron James will go down in history as one of the greatest the sport has ever known (if not the actual greatest). He broke the NBA's all-time scoring record in the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 7, surpassing the record that six-time MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had held for 39 years with 38,387 points. At the end of the third quarter, James scored his 36th point of the game and 38,388th of his career, and the crowd at Crypto.com Arena went wild. Officials even paused the game and James' family came out to embrace him. Abdul-Jabbar was also in attendance to happily hand over the crown.

2 / 33 Fotos

Giannis Antetokounmpo -

Thanks to his unbelievable performance in the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo has firmly carved out his spot in sporting history. The young player had been making waves towards the end of the season, scoring 40 points in multiple games, but his exploits in the final were legendary. Antetokounmpo single-handedly carried the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years. He scored 50 of their 105 points, as well as getting 14 rebounds, five blocks, and nailing his free throw. His performance was unparalleled and he was named the NBA Finals MVP.

3 / 33 Fotos

Elgin Baylor (1934-2021) -

NBA Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Lakers icon Elgin Baylor passed away on March 21, age 86, leaving an incredible legacy behind. The 11-time All-Star, known for his acrobatic athleticism, is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, setting a precedent throughout the 1960s that paved the way for players like Michael Jordan.

4 / 33 Fotos

Elgin Baylor (1934-2021) -

Baylor helped the Los Angeles Lakers reach the NBA Finals eight times. He also played in 11 NBA All-Star Games.

5 / 33 Fotos

Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) -

The basketball legend tragically died in a helicopter crash on January 26 of 2020, alongside his daughter Gianna and seven others. The 18-time all-star was one of the most brilliant players in NBA history.

6 / 33 Fotos

Shaquille O'Neal -

Shaq's dominance was second to none. That's why he's one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

7 / 33 Fotos

Charles Barkley -

"The Round Mound of Rebound" is one of only four players in NBA history with at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.

8 / 33 Fotos

Bill Russell (1934-2022) -

Bill Russell won 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics. He's widely regarded as one of the best ever in his sport.

9 / 33 Fotos

Bob Pettit (1934-2022) -

Bob Pettit was the first player to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

10 / 33 Fotos

Chris Paul -

"CP3" is arguably the best point guard of his generation.

11 / 33 Fotos

Stephen Curry -

Curry has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player twice, and is quite possibly the best shooter in NBA history.

12 / 33 Fotos

Russell Westbrook -

In the 2017-18 season, Westbrook became the only player to have ever averaged a triple-double twice in his career.

13 / 33 Fotos

Reggie Miller -

Miller is one of the greatest shooters and scorers in the Indiana Pacers' history.

14 / 33 Fotos

Kevin Durant -

One of the greatest players of his generation, Durant has an average of 27.0 points per game.

15 / 33 Fotos

Dirk Nowitzki -

The German big man played a crucial role in the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA Finals.

16 / 33 Fotos

John Stockton -

The point guard par excellence is in the top 10 for career steals per game.

17 / 33 Fotos

Karl Malone -

"The Mailman" sits in third place in the NBA value over replacement player statistic, behind only Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

18 / 33 Fotos

Kevin Garnett -

Also known as the "The Big Ticket," "The Kid," and "KG," Garnett made the All-Star team in just his second season.

19 / 33 Fotos

Dwyane Wade -

Wade has recently retired, with an average of 22.0 points per game.

20 / 33 Fotos

Scottie Pippen -

Pippen played a crucial role in the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championship wins in the '90s. He was a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times!

21 / 33 Fotos

Julius Erving -

"Dr. J" scored an average 22.0 points per game in 11 NBA seasons.

22 / 33 Fotos

Jerry West (1938-2024) -

West was the only player to have ever won the Finals MVP award while playing for the losing team. This was in 1969.

23 / 33 Fotos

David Robinson -

"The Admiral" went down in history as one of the best San Antonio Spurs players ever.

24 / 33 Fotos

Oscar Robertson -

With 181 triple doubles, "The Big O" is yet to have his record beaten.

25 / 33 Fotos

Hakeem Olajuwon -

Nigeria-born Hakeem Olajuwon had amazing footwork for such a big player.

26 / 33 Fotos

Wilt Chamberlain (1936-1999) -

A dominant giant in his time, Chamberlain is still the NBA's best rebounder.

27 / 33 Fotos

Larry Bird -

Besides Bill Russell, "Larry Legend" is probably the Boston Celtics' most iconic player of all time.

28 / 33 Fotos

Tim Duncan -

There's a reason why Shaquille O'Neal dubbed Tim Duncan as "The Big Fundamental." Duncan's skills were indeed outstanding!

29 / 33 Fotos

Magic Johnson -

One of the NBA's best all-around players ever, the Lakers' point guard became an idol in the sport.

30 / 33 Fotos

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -

Another NBA living legend, for a long time Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for the highest number of points scored, with 38,387. He was surpassed only by LeBron James in 2023.

31 / 33 Fotos

Michael Jordan -

MJ is often quoted as the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, and is a true living legend of the sport.

Now, find out The 50 best athletes of the 21st century

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Joel Embiid -

1 / 33 Fotos

Lebron James -

2 / 33 Fotos

Giannis Antetokounmpo -

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3 / 33 Fotos

Elgin Baylor (1934-2021) -

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4 / 33 Fotos

Elgin Baylor (1934-2021) -

Baylor helped the Los Angeles Lakers reach the NBA Finals eight times. He also played in 11 NBA All-Star Games.

Getty Images

5 / 33 Fotos

Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) -

Getty Images

6 / 33 Fotos

Shaquille O'Neal -

Shaq's dominance was second to none. That's why he's one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Getty Images

7 / 33 Fotos

Charles Barkley -

"The Round Mound of Rebound" is one of only four players in NBA history with at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 4,000 assists.

Getty Images

8 / 33 Fotos

Bill Russell (1934-2022) -

Bill Russell won 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics. He's widely regarded as one of the best ever in his sport.

Getty Images

9 / 33 Fotos

Bob Pettit (1934-2022) -

Bob Pettit was the first player to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player.

Getty Images

10 / 33 Fotos

Chris Paul -

"CP3" is arguably the best point guard of his generation.

Getty Images

11 / 33 Fotos

Stephen Curry -

Curry has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player twice, and is quite possibly the best shooter in NBA history.

Getty Images

12 / 33 Fotos

Russell Westbrook -

In the 2017-18 season, Westbrook became the only player to have ever averaged a triple-double twice in his career.

Getty Images

13 / 33 Fotos

Reggie Miller -

Miller is one of the greatest shooters and scorers in the Indiana Pacers' history.

Getty Images

14 / 33 Fotos

Kevin Durant -

One of the greatest players of his generation, Durant has an average of 27.0 points per game.

Getty Images

15 / 33 Fotos

Dirk Nowitzki -

The German big man played a crucial role in the Dallas Mavericks winning the 2011 NBA Finals.

Getty Images

16 / 33 Fotos

John Stockton -

The point guard par excellence is in the top 10 for career steals per game.

Getty Images

17 / 33 Fotos

Karl Malone -

"The Mailman" sits in third place in the NBA value over replacement player statistic, behind only Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Getty Images

18 / 33 Fotos

Kevin Garnett -

Also known as the "The Big Ticket," "The Kid," and "KG," Garnett made the All-Star team in just his second season.

Getty Images

19 / 33 Fotos

Dwyane Wade -

Wade has recently retired, with an average of 22.0 points per game.

Getty Images

20 / 33 Fotos

Scottie Pippen -

Pippen played a crucial role in the Chicago Bulls' six NBA championship wins in the '90s. He was a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight times!

Getty Images

21 / 33 Fotos

Julius Erving -

"Dr. J" scored an average 22.0 points per game in 11 NBA seasons.

Getty Images

22 / 33 Fotos

Jerry West (1938-2024) -

West was the only player to have ever won the Finals MVP award while playing for the losing team. This was in 1969.

Getty Images

23 / 33 Fotos

David Robinson -

"The Admiral" went down in history as one of the best San Antonio Spurs players ever.

Getty Images

24 / 33 Fotos

Oscar Robertson -

With 181 triple doubles, "The Big O" is yet to have his record beaten.

Getty Images

25 / 33 Fotos

Hakeem Olajuwon -

Nigeria-born Hakeem Olajuwon had amazing footwork for such a big player.

Getty Images

26 / 33 Fotos

Wilt Chamberlain (1936-1999) -

A dominant giant in his time, Chamberlain is still the NBA's best rebounder.

Getty Images

27 / 33 Fotos

Larry Bird -

Besides Bill Russell, "Larry Legend" is probably the Boston Celtics' most iconic player of all time.

Getty Images

28 / 33 Fotos

Tim Duncan -

There's a reason why Shaquille O'Neal dubbed Tim Duncan as "The Big Fundamental." Duncan's skills were indeed outstanding!

Getty Images

29 / 33 Fotos

Magic Johnson -

One of the NBA's best all-around players ever, the Lakers' point guard became an idol in the sport.

Getty Images

30 / 33 Fotos

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -

Another NBA living legend, for a long time Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held the record for the highest number of points scored, with 38,387. He was surpassed only by LeBron James in 2023.

Getty Images

31 / 33 Fotos

Michael Jordan -

MJ is often quoted as the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan won six championships with the Chicago Bulls, and is a true living legend of the sport.

Now, find out The 50 best athletes of the 21st century

Getty Images

32 / 33 Fotos

The greatest basketball players of all time

Today is National Basketball Day

06/12/24 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Nba

With basketball invented in 1891 and the NBA founded in 1949, generations of basketball lovers have been fortunate enough to witness the talents of amazingly skilled players. But amongst all these flashy pros, who stands out? Which players can truly consider themselves the best of the best?

Click through the gallery to see who makes it onto the list of the greatest basketball players of all time.