10 Very Famous Basketball Players

I've never been that good at basketball, football has always come easier to me, however I do have an interest for the game. Not that I would watch it on t.v, I don't really follow sports on t.v, but nevertheless the sport does interest me.

I think that basketball takes skill to play and the very famous basketball players that are on this list, are obviously here for a reason - because they are recognised for their talent. 

Here's my list of 10 very famous basketball players, hope you enjoy. :)

1. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan mid-leap

Height: 6ft 6in

Michael Jordan (born 17 February 1963) is considered by many to be (or to have been, as he's retired) the best basketball player in the history of basketball. The popularity of the NBA during the 1980's and 1990's is partly down to Michael Jordan and the marketing involved in promoting the athlete and the game of basketball.

Michael Jordan was remarkably talented and when he wanted to score, there wasn't really anybody who could stop him in the game. To get an idea of how good this guy was, here are his notable awards: he's a 6-time NBA champion, 5 MVP awards, 10 All-NBA First Team designations, 9 All-Defensive First Team honours, 14 NBA All-Star Game appearances, 3 All-Star Game MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, 3 steals titles, 66 NBA Finals MVP awards, and the 1988 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, and he holds the NBA records for highest career regular season scoring average (30.12 points per game) and highest career playoff scoring average (33.45 points per game). 
He is also only 1 of 2 players to have ever broken through the 3,000 point mark in a single season, the other being Wilt Chamberlain.

2. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain

Height: 7ft 1in

Wilt Chamberlain (August 12, 1936 - October 12, 1999) was an American basketball player. He is considered one of the greatest players of all-time. Chamberlain himself considered himself to be the best player of all-time, and with his numerous awards and records, it's not surprising to see why he was so confident.

He is the only player to score 100 points in a single NBA game or average more than 40 and 50 points in a season, he won 11 rebounding titles, won 7 scoring awards, 9 field goal percentage awards, was a 2-time NBA champion, 4 Most Valuable Player awards, the Rookie of the Year award, one NBA Finals MVP award, and being selected to 13 All-Star Games and 10 All-NBA First and Second teams.

He is the only person to have broken the 4,000 point barrier (points in a single season), and the 3,000 point barrier.

3. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson

Height: 6ft 9in

Earvin Magic Johnson (born August 14, 1959) was an American basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He was selected by the Lakers in the 1979 NBA draft after winning championships in high school and college. He had a notorious rivalry and friendship with Celtics player Larry Bird who he faced in the 1979 NCAA finals and three NBA championship series.

He is a 5-time NBA champion, winner of 3 NVP awards, 12 all-star games, and 10 All-NBA First and Second Team nominations.

He retired immediately in 1991 after announcing that he had been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, but came back in the 1992 All-star game, winning another NBA MVP award. He retired again for four years, returning in 1996 to play 32 games, before retiring for the third and final time. Johnson has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and safe sex.

4. Larry Bird

Larry Bird

Credit: Lipofsky

Height 6ft 9in

Larry Bird (born December 7, 1956) was an American basketball player who played for the Lakers, and had a renowned rivalry with basketball player Magic Johnson. The two players played off against each other in numerous matches and finals, grabbing viewers attention. 
Their rivalry has been compared to that of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlaine.

Bird had a poor childhood, his family living close to poverty. Later on in life though, Bird stated that his poor financial upbringing still motivated him till this day.

Bird retired in 1992 due to chronic back problems. At his retiring ceremony, Magic Johnson stated that "Bird is a friend for life".

During his career, Bird won: 3 NBA championships, 3 NBA MVP's, was a 12-time NBA All-star, 2 NBA final MVP's, 3 Three-point Shootout champion, and voted to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.

5. Yao Ming

Yao Ming

Height: 7ft 6in

Yao Ming (born September 12, 1980) was a Chinese professional basketball player who became one of China's most popular athletes. He is well-known for his towering height, and during his last season, was the tallest active player in the NBA. 
During his rookie year, a documentary was made called: 'The Year of  the Yao'.

During his career Yao has been awarded: 8 time NBA All-star player, 2 time All-NBA Second Team player, 3 time All-NBA Third Team player, and reached the NBA playoffs 4 times.

6. Bill Russell

Bill Russell

Height: 6ft 9in

Will Russell (born February 12, 1934) was an American professional basketball player who played centre for the Boston Celtics. He is widely regarded like most of the players on this list, to be one of the all-time greats of basketball history.

Russell's excellent shot-blocking and man-to-man defense were major reasons for the Celtics' success, which inspired other team members to up their defensive play.

Russell is an 11 time NBA champion, 5 time MVP, 5 time NBA rebounding champion, a 12 time NBA All-star player, 3 time All-NBA First Team player, and 8 time All-NBA Second Team player.

The NBA announced in 2009 that the NBA Finals MVP trophy would be renamed the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in honour of Russell.

7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Height: 7ft 2in

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born April 16, 1947) was an American professional basketball player and is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. At the time of his retirement, Kareem was the NBA’s all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, and personal fouls.

During his high school years, Kareem helped his team win an impressive 71 games in a row. 

He has won 6 NBA championships, 6 NBA MVP's, 2 NBA Finals MVP, is a 5 time All-NBA Second Team player, is a 5 time NBA All-Defensive First Team player, and is a 19 time NBA All-star player.

8. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal

Credit: Steve Lipofsky

Height: 7ft 1in


Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (born March 6, 1972) was an American professional basketball player and current analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. 

Weighing in at 325 pounds, he was one of the heaviest players to ever play in the NBA. Rashaun O'Neal would often use his size and strength to overpower his opponents for rebounds and points.
It was because of his size, strength, and obvious talent, that elevated Rashaun O'Neal to become one of the best centres in the league.


Rashaun O'Neal has won 4 NBA championships, 3 NBA finals MVP's, an NBA MVP, and NBA rookie of the year. He is also a 15 NBA All-star player, a 2 time NBA scoring champion, an 8 time All-NBA first team player, an 2 time All-NBA second team player, and an 4 time All-NBA third team player.

9. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bean Bryant (born August 23, 1978) is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA.

Bryant was a recognised talent during his high school days and was seen as the best high school basketball player in the country. When Bryant entered the NBA, he quickly earned himself the reputation as a "high flyer".

Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002.

Bryant managed to score 81 points during a game against the Toronto-Riders, which is the second-highest score in a single game - second to Wilt Chamberlains record-holding score of 100.

Bryant has currently won 5 NBA championships, 2 MBA finals MVP's, an NBA MVP, and is an 14 time NBA All-star player, a 2 time NBA scoring champion, a 10 time All-NBA first team player, a 2 time All-NBA Second Team player, a 2 time All-NBA third Team player, and an NBA Slam Dunk Contest championship.

10. LeBron James

LeBron James

Height: 6ft 8in

LeBron James (born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player of the NBA. 
Whilst still a sophomore at St. Vincent – St. Mary High School, James was highly promoted by the media as an upcoming NBA superstar. He has been nicknamed 'king James'.

Since joining the league, James has set a number of youngest player records.

He has been a member of the USA national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics and gold at the 2008 Olympics.

So far during his career, James has won 3 NBA MVP's, NBA rookie of the year, NBA scoring championship, and is an 8 time NBA All-star player, a 6 time All-NBA First Team player, a 2 time All-NBA Second Team player, and a 4 time NBA All-Defensive First Team player.

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