Top 10 NBA Centers of All Time: Big Men Who Ruled the Paint and the League
When you talk about the Top 10 NBA Centers of All Time, you’re talking about the pillars of basketball history. These weren’t just tall dudes blocking shots and grabbing boards—they were dynasties in sneakers, the anchors of championship runs, and the faces of their eras.
From Kareem’s skyhook to Shaq’s backboard-breaking power, from Wilt’s mind-bending stats to Jokic’s modern-day wizardry, these centers didn’t just protect the paint—they owned it. Some dominated with brute force. Others with footwork, finesse, or freakish IQ. But all of them? Unstoppable when it mattered most.
This list blends old-school legends with new-school brilliance, honoring those who built the game and those still shaping it. Whether it’s rings, records, or revolutionizing the position, these 10 stand tallest—literally and historically.
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Let’s break down the Top 10 NBA Centers of All Time and settle the big man debate once and for all.
#10. George Mikan
Height/Weight: 6’10”, 245 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: Minneapolis Lakers (1948–1956)
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Let’s tip things off with the original big man blueprint—#10. George Mikan, the player who laid the foundation for every dominant center that came after. Before Wilt, Kareem, Shaq, or Jokic—there was George Mikan. Known as the NBA’s first true superstar, Mikan wasn’t just big for his era—he was a force of nature. He used his size, hook shots, and tough interior play to dominate early pro basketball and literally change the rules of the game.
Mikan led the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships, was a scoring and rebounding leader, and is the reason we have goaltending rules, widened lanes, and shot clock urgency. His presence demanded change. That’s how impactful he was.
You don’t build a house without a foundation—and for the center position, Mikan laid the bricks.
Accolades:
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5× NBA Champion
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4× NBA All-Star
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6× All-BAA/NBA First Team
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3× Scoring Champion
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Hall of Fame Inductee (1959)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#9. Patrick Ewing
Height/Weight: 7’0”, 240 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: New York Knicks (1985–2000), Seattle SuperSonics (2000–2001), Orlando Magic (2001–2002)
Patrick Ewing was the heart of the Knicks and a warrior in the paint. He brought power, finesse, and that signature midrange jumper to every matchup—no matter how bruising it got. In the physical, defense-heavy ’90s, Ewing went toe-to-toe with Hakeem, Shaq, and Robinson, never backing down and often outworking them.
He gave New York everything—11 All-Star seasons, countless playoff runs, and a trip to the 1994 NBA Finals that put him inches from a ring. He might not have won it all, but he gave the Garden a reason to believe for over a decade.
Accolades:
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11× NBA All-Star
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7× All-NBA Selection
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3× NBA All-Defensive Team
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NBA Rookie of the Year (1986)
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Olympic Gold Medalist (1984, 1992)
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Hall of Fame Inductee (2008)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#8. Moses Malone
Height/Weight: 6’10”, 215 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: Utah Stars (ABA, 1974–1975), Spirits of St. Louis (ABA, 1975–1976), Houston Rockets (1976–1982), Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986, 1993–1994), Washington Bullets (1986–1988), Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991), Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993), San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)
Moses Malone was a rebounding machine and a relentless scorer, especially on second chances. If he missed a shot, he was already back up in the air for the putback. He dominated with grit, effort, and elite positioning, especially during his prime in the early ’80s.
In 1983, he joined Dr. J and led the Sixers to a championship—predicting a sweep and delivering with a Finals MVP performance. He finished his career with over 27,000 points and 16,000 rebounds, and to this day, he’s considered one of the most underrated all-time greats.
Accolades:
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NBA Champion (1983)
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NBA Finals MVP (1983)
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3× NBA MVP (1979, 1982, 1983)
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12× NBA All-Star
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8× All-NBA Selection
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6× Rebounding Champion
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Hall of Fame Inductee (2001)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#7. David Robinson
Height/Weight: 7’1”, 235 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1989–2003)
David Robinson, a.k.a. “The Admiral,” brought athleticism, intelligence, and professionalism to the paint. He could do it all—score, rebound, block, run the floor, and lead. His early years were full of dominant stats, including a 1994 scoring title and a quadruple-double, but his greatest impact came later, when he passed the torch to Tim Duncan and helped build a dynasty.
Robinson was a 10-time All-Star, a former MVP, and one of the best two-way bigs in league history. Smooth midrange jumper, elite timing on blocks, and the strength to go toe-to-toe with Shaq—he had no holes in his game.
Accolades:
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2× NBA Champion (1999, 2003)
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NBA MVP (1995)
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10× NBA All-Star
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4× All-NBA First Team
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8× All-Defensive Team
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NBA Rookie of the Year (1990)
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NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1992)
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NBA Scoring Champion (1994)
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Olympic Gold Medalist (1992, 1996)
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Hall of Fame Inductee (2009)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#6. Nikola Jokic
Height/Weight: 6’11”, 284 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: Denver Nuggets (2015–present)
Nikola Jokic is the most skilled and versatile offensive center the league has ever seen. His court vision is ridiculous, his decision-making is elite, and his footwork and touch around the basket are nearly unguardable. But what truly separates Jokic? He runs the entire offense like a point guard in a 7-foot frame.
The three-time MVP led Denver to its first NBA championship in 2023, dominating with triple-doubles, clutch buckets, and a complete takeover of every playoff series. He’s redefining the center position in real time, and he’s just getting started.
Whether it’s a no-look dime, a high-post dagger, or a walk-off game-winner, Jokic plays at his own pace—and makes the game bend around him.
Accolades:
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NBA Champion (2023)
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NBA Finals MVP (2023)
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3× NBA MVP (2021, 2022, 2024)
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7× NBA All-Star
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4× All-NBA First Team
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Career Averages: 20+ PPG, 10+ RPG, 6+ APG
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#5. Hakeem Olajuwon
Height/Weight: 7’0”, 255 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: Houston Rockets (1984–2001), Toronto Raptors (2001–2002)
Hakeem Olajuwon was the smoothest big man to ever do it. His post moves were poetry—the Dream Shake is still untouchable. But it wasn’t just offense—Hakeem is the only player in NBA history to rank top 10 in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. He anchored defenses, carried offenses, and outclassed elite centers on both ends of the floor.
In 1994 and 1995, he led the Rockets to back-to-back titles, destroying David Robinson, Karl Malone, and Shaq in the process. He was graceful, cerebral, and fierce—a once-in-a-generation mix of athleticism, IQ, and footwork.
Accolades:
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2× NBA Champion (1994, 1995)
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2× NBA Finals MVP
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NBA MVP (1994)
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12× NBA All-Star
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6× All-NBA First Team
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5× All-Defensive First Team
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2× NBA Defensive Player of the Year
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NBA All-Time Leader in Blocks
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Hall of Fame Inductee (2008)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#4. Bill Russell
Height/Weight: 6’10”, 215 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: Boston Celtics (1956–1969)
Bill Russell was the greatest winner in the history of team sports. Period. 11 rings in 13 seasons, 5 MVPs, and a legacy built on defense, leadership, and unmatched impact. He didn’t care about stats—he cared about winning, and he did it better than anyone.
Russell revolutionized defense—shot-blocking, help rotations, switching—he was doing it all before the league tracked it. He anchored the Celtics dynasty and outdueled Wilt, West, and Oscar when it mattered most. And he became the first Black head coach in pro sports, all while still playing.
He changed the game—and the culture around it.
Accolades:
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11× NBA Champion
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5× NBA MVP
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12× NBA All-Star
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3× All-NBA First Team
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NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969)
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Olympic Gold Medalist (1956)
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First Black Head Coach in NBA History
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Hall of Fame Inductee (1975, as coach in 2021)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#3. Wilt Chamberlain
Height/Weight: 7’1”, 275 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965), Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968), Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973)
Wilt Chamberlain wasn’t just dominant—he was mythical. The man averaged 50 points per game in a season, once scored 100 points in a single game, and led the league in scoring, rebounding, assists, and minutes—multiple times. He didn’t just break records; he rewrote the sport’s statistical reality.
Yes, the era was different—but Wilt was different, too. He was 7’1” with world-class track-and-field athleticism, and he used it to dominate every big man he faced. Over time, he shifted from scorer to facilitator and defensive anchor, leading the league in assists in 1968—as a center.
While critics point to fewer championships (two total), Wilt’s individual dominance is without peer. No one in NBA history ever put up numbers like his.
Accolades:
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2× NBA Champion
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NBA Finals MVP (1972)
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4× NBA MVP
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13× NBA All-Star
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7× Scoring Champion
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11× Rebounding Champion
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1× Assist Champion
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Hall of Fame Inductee (1979)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#2. Shaquille O’Neal
Height/Weight: 7’1”, 325 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: Orlando Magic (1992–1996), Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004), Miami Heat (2004–2008), plus brief stints with PHX, CLE, BOS
Shaquille O’Neal was the most physically dominant force the game has ever seen. He wasn’t just big—he was unstoppable. When Shaq got the ball in the paint, it was over. He dunked through you, over you, and sometimes broke the backboard while doing it.
Shaq won three straight Finals MVPs with the Lakers, formed the most lethal inside-out duo with Kobe, and later added a fourth ring in Miami. He led the league in scoring in 2000 and was nearly impossible to officiate—you couldn’t guard him without fouling, and you couldn’t foul him without giving up an and-one.
He was a character, a superstar, and a force of nature. At his peak? Unguardable.
Accolades:
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4× NBA Champion
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3× NBA Finals MVP
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NBA MVP (2000)
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15× NBA All-Star
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8× All-NBA First Team
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2× Scoring Champion
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NBA All-Rookie First Team (1993)
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Hall of Fame Inductee (2016)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
#1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Height/Weight: 7’2”, 225 lbs
Position: Center
Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the most accomplished center in NBA history, period. He won six MVPs (most all-time), six championships, and held the NBA scoring record for nearly 40 years. His signature move—the skyhook—was the most unstoppable shot the league has ever seen.
Kareem dominated in two different decades, winning titles in the ’70s and ’80s, and stayed elite well into his late 30s. He was a consistent 20 and 10 machine, a defensive anchor, and a cerebral player who outthought and outworked his opponents.
Beyond the stats and rings, Kareem brought leadership, longevity, and legacy. He was the centerpiece of the Showtime Lakers and the bridge from Oscar Robertson to Magic Johnson.
Kareem wasn’t just great—he was timeless.
Accolades:
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6× NBA Champion
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2× NBA Finals MVP
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6× NBA MVP (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980)
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19× NBA All-Star
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10× All-NBA First Team
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5× All-Defensive First Team
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NBA Rookie of the Year (1970)
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NBA All-Time Leading Scorer (until 2023)
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Hall of Fame Inductee (1995)
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NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Love classic big man battles? Check out the Top 10 White NBA Centers of All Time for a look at legends who held it down in the paint, or check out the Best Post Players in NBA History to see who truly dominated with their back to the basket.
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