If you’ve ever watching a gripping basketball game played at the highest levels of the game, then you know the unique brand of athleticism that a truly great basketball player possesses. Read on to learn about five of the very best players to ever hit a basketball court:

 

Michael Jordan

Many basketball fans and sports experts consider Jordan to embody the peak of human capabilities when it comes to the sport of basketball. His career accomplishments are dazzling. An inductee of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he was a 14-time NBA All-Star, a member of six NBA championship teams, and a five-time NBA MVP, and he holds the all-time record for the most points per game in NBA history. At the height of his game, he was also a hugely popular figure for his charisma and general sportsmanship. 

 

Magic Johnson

This phenomenal Los Angeles Lakers player is one of the most famous figures in basketball history, known for his dazzling versatility on the court. Sports experts tout Johnson’s ability to play every position with consummate skill and also his talent for generating a positive team spirit. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star, a three-time NBA MVP, a member of five NBA championship teams, and holds the all-time record for most assists per game in NBA history.

Bill Russell

Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics was widely revered for his many skills on the court, and especially for his virtuosic abilities when it came to defensive positions. He was considered the kind of athlete who made everyone around him a better player. Russell was the member of 11 NBA Championship teams, was a 12-time NBA All-Star, holds the record for having the second highest number of rebounds in all of NBA history, and has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

 

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal is known for his size and remarkable agility, and widely considered one of the best centers that professional basketball has ever seen. He’s known for innovating moves like the “drop step,” an effective offensive move designed to help him achieve slam dunks, and he became celebrated for his accuracy when it came to dunking. O’Neal was a member of four NBA Championship teams, was a 15-time NBA All-Star, one-time NBA MVP, and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection.

 

Wilt Chamberlain

Chamberlain is celebrated for his phenomenal ability to consistently do one of the most important things in the game of basketball – score points. He played the center position and is considered by many sports fans, experts, and fellow players to be one of the greatest and most dominant players in NBA history. His statistics and accomplishments are the stuff of legend. He was a 13-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA MVP, two-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, and he has been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.