Basketball has produced plenty of recognizable stars. Who would yours be? Here are our top NBA and WBNA players.
Key Takeaways
- Michael Jordan leads our ranking thanks to a combination of championship success, individual dominance, and worldwide cultural influence.
- The greatest NBA careers span very different eras, from Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
- Stephen Curry's record-breaking three-point shooting shows how an individual superstar can change how basketball is played.
- WNBA legends such as Diana Taurasi, Lisa Leslie, and Sue Bird now sit alongside modern stars including A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark in basketball’s wider story.
The Most Popular Basketball Players of All Time
To start, we'll look at the NBA, one of the major basketball leagues in the US. We picked players not just by raw points. We've also included players by impact. Even the NBA's famous Top 50 selection recognized exceptional careers rather than trying to establish one definitive order of greatness.⁴
Being one of the greatest basketball players is not exactly the same as being one of the most famous. Championships, MVP awards, records, and individual ability matter, but so do iconic performances, cultural reach, longevity, and influence on later generations. This article considers both sporting achievement and how much each player became associated with basketball itself.
| Rank | Player | Position | Main NBA team(s) | Championships | MVPs | Defining legacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jordan | Shooting guard | Chicago Bulls; Washington Wizards | 6 | 5 | Bulls dynasty and global basketball icon |
| 2 | LeBron James | Forward | Cleveland Cavaliers; Miami Heat; Los Angeles Lakers | 4 | 4 | Scoring records, longevity, and all-around play |
| 3 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Center | Milwaukee Bucks; Los Angeles Lakers | 6 | 6 | Skyhook and record six MVP awards |
| 4 | Magic Johnson | Point guard | Los Angeles Lakers | 5 | 3 | Showtime basketball and elite playmaking |
| 5 | Kobe Bryant | Shooting guard | Los Angeles Lakers | 5 | 1 | Scoring, championships, and global following |
| 6 | Larry Bird | Forward | Boston Celtics | 3 | 3 | Shooting, passing, and the Magic Johnson rivalry |
| 7 | Bill Russell | Center | Boston Celtics | 11 | 5 | Championships and transformative defense |
| 8 | Wilt Chamberlain | Center | Warriors; Philadelphia 76ers; Los Angeles Lakers | 2 | 4 | Historic scoring and rebounding records |
| 9 | Shaquille O'Neal | Center | Orlando Magic; Los Angeles Lakers; Miami Heat; others | 4 | 1 | Interior dominance and crossover celebrity |
| 10 | Stephen Curry | Point guard | Golden State Warriors | 4 | 2 | Three-point revolution |
1. Michael Jordan
God disguised as Michael Jordan.
Larry Bird used the description after Jordan’s 63-point playoff performance against Boston in 1986.³
Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards
Shooting guard
6
5
6
Title-clinching shot against Utah in the 1998 NBA Finals
Scoring, championships, Air Jordan, and worldwide basketball fame.³
2. LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers
Forward
4
4
4
Becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer
Longevity, elite scoring, playmaking, and positional versatility.⁵
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers
Center
6
6
2
Skyhook
Longevity, efficient scoring, and a record six NBA MVP awards.¹
4. Magic Johnson
Los Angeles Lakers
Point guard
5
3
3
Showtime Lakers
Passing, transition basketball, size, and his rivalry with Larry Bird.⁶
5. Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers
Shooting guard
5
1
2
81 points against the Toronto Raptors
Scoring, competitiveness, longevity, and a huge international following.²
6. Larry Bird
Boston Celtics
Forward
3
3
2
Celtics-Lakers rivalry of the 1980s
Shooting, passing, rebounding, and clutch play.⁶
7. Bill Russell
Boston Celtics
Center
11
5
0
Defense and rebounding
Leading the most successful championship dynasty in NBA history.⁶
8. Wilt Chamberlain
Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers
Center
2
4
1
NBA-record 100-point game
His historic scoring and rebounding numbers still define his legacy.⁶
9. Shaquille O’Neal
Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, others
Center
4
1
3
Lakers three-peat from 2000 to 2002
Interior dominance, physical power, personality, and crossover celebrity.⁵
10. Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
Point guard
4
2
1
Long-range shooting
Transforming modern NBA offense through unprecedented three-point volume and range.⁷
regular-season three-pointers across his NBA career.⁷
Most Famous Basketball Players by Era
Great players are products of their eras. Remember that the early legends helped establish professional basketball, the 1980s brought rivalries that expanded the NBA's television appeal, and later generations reached increasingly global audiences. Consider what they did for the game, not just their stats. Many of these stars also spent their careers competing with some of the best NBA teams, where individual greatness translated into sustained team success.
Early NBA Legends
George Mikan
- One of the NBA’s first dominant centers
- Multiple championships with Minneapolis
- Helped establish the big man as a focal point of professional basketball
Bill Russell
- 11 NBA championships
- Five NBA MVP awards
- Defense, rebounding, and team-first basketball
Wilt Chamberlain
- NBA-record 100-point game
- Four NBA MVP awards
- Historic scoring and rebounding numbers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Six NBA championships
- Six NBA MVP awards
- Famous for the skyhook and extraordinary longevity.¹
1980s Basketball Icons
Magic Johnson
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Five NBA championships
- Three NBA MVP awards
- Showtime passing and transition basketball
Larry Bird
- Boston Celtics
- Three NBA championships
- Three consecutive NBA MVP awards
- Shooting, passing, and rivalry with Magic Johnson
Julius Erving
- Philadelphia 76ers icon
- 1981 NBA MVP
- Spectacular above-the-rim style
- Helped connect the ABA and NBA eras.⁴
Many stars of this period had already built national reputations with some of the best college basketball teams of all time before reaching the NBA.
Global Superstars of the 90s and 2000s
Michael Jordan
- Six championships with Chicago
- Five NBA MVP awards
- Worldwide advertising and sneaker presence
- Helped turn NBA superstardom into global celebrity.³
Shaquille O’Neal
- Four NBA championships
- Three Finals MVP awards
- One of the most dominant interior scorers of his era
- Built a profile across film, television, music, and advertising
Kobe Bryant
- Five NBA championships
- 81-point game
- Long-term Los Angeles Lakers star
- Developed one of the largest international followings of his generation.²
Modern Era Greatest Stars
LeBron James
- Four NBA championships
- Four NBA MVP awards
- Elite scoring and playmaking
- Remarkable longevity
Stephen Curry
- Four NBA championships
- Two NBA MVP awards
- NBA’s all-time three-point leader
- Changed modern offensive spacing.⁷
Kevin Durant
- Two NBA championships
- 2014 NBA MVP
- Elite scorer from multiple areas of the floor
- Combines forward size with guard-like shooting and ball handling
Famous WNBA Players
The WNBA isn't as old as the NBA, but plenty of players have shaped the women's game. We've included players who built their reputations through championship dynasties, helped their teams rise through the WNBA standings, or are known for longevity, individual brilliance, or transforming the league's visibility. Who'd be on your list?
| Player | Position | Main WNBA team(s) | Championships | MVPs | Famous for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diana Taurasi | Guard | Phoenix Mercury | 3 | 1 | Scoring, longevity, and long-term league influence |
| Lisa Leslie | Center | Los Angeles Sparks | 2 | 3 | Early WNBA icon and pioneering star |
| Sheryl Swoopes | Forward | Houston Comets | 4 | 3 | Comets dynasty and two-way dominance |
| Sue Bird | Point guard | Seattle Storm | 4 | 0 | Playmaking, championships, and longevity |
| Candace Parker | Forward/Center | Los Angeles Sparks; Chicago Sky; Las Vegas Aces | 3 | 2 | Versatility and titles with three franchises |
| Maya Moore | Forward | Minnesota Lynx | 4 | 1 | Lynx dynasty and elite peak performance |
| A'ja Wilson | Center | Las Vegas Aces | 3 | 4 | Modern dominance and two-way excellence |
| Caitlin Clark | Guard | Indiana Fever | 0 | 0 | Long-range shooting, playmaking, and modern popularity |
Diana Taurasi
This well-deserved recognition reflects her sustained excellence on the court.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said this after fans voted Taurasi the league's greatest player of all time in 2021.⁹
Phoenix Mercury
Guard
3
1
2
Three championships with Phoenix
Scoring, longevity, clutch play, and sustained success.⁹
Lisa Leslie
Los Angeles Sparks
Center
2
3
2
Becoming the first player to dunk in a WNBA game
Dominant interior play, championships, MVP success, and helping establish the WNBA's first generation of stars.¹⁰
Sheryl Swoopes
Houston Comets, Seattle Storm, Tulsa Shock
Forward
4
3
0
Elite two-way play during Houston's four straight championships
Scoring, defense, and her central role in the WNBA's first dynasty.¹⁰
Sue Bird
Seattle Storm
Point guard
4
0
0
Elite playmaking and exceptional longevity with Seattle
Longevity, assists, leadership, and winning championships across multiple eras.¹⁰
Candace Parker
Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, Las Vegas Aces
Forward/Center
3
2
1
Winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP in 2008
Versatility, rebounding, playmaking, and winning championships with three franchises.
Maya Moore
Minnesota Lynx
Forward
4
1
1
Leading Minnesota during its championship dynasty
Elite scoring, athleticism, postseason performances, and an exceptional peak.¹⁰
A’ja Wilson
Las Vegas Aces
Center
3
4
2
Dominant two-way play
Scoring, rebounding, defense, and one of the strongest résumés in modern WNBA.⁸
WNBA MVP awards by the end of the 2025 season.⁸
Caitlin Clark
Indiana Fever
Guard
0
0
0
Long-range shooting and high-level playmaking
Deep three-point range, passing, and becoming one of the most recognizable players of the current WNBA generation.
The next generation of best college basketball players is already competing for the chance to become future NBA and WNBA stars. If you'd like to learn more about them or basketball, why not consider a basketball coach or tutor on Superprof? With most offering the first session for free, you can try a few before taking your game to the next level.
References
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.” Basketball Hall of Fame, https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/kareem-abdul-jabbar. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “Kobe Bryant.” Basketball Hall of Fame, https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/kobe-bryant. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- National Basketball Association. “Legends Profile: Michael Jordan.” NBA.com, 14 Sept. 2021, https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-legend-michael-jordan. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- National Basketball Association. “NBA at 50: Top 50 Players.” NBA.com, https://www.nba.com/history/nba-at-50/top-50-players. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- National Basketball Association. “NBA Finals MVP Award Winners.” NBA.com, updated 14 June 2026, https://www.nba.com/news/history-finals-mvp-winners. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- National Basketball Association. “NBA MVP Award Winners.” NBA.com, updated 18 May 2026, https://www.nba.com/news/history-mvp-award-winners. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- National Basketball Association. “NBA Players with Multiple 3-Point Scoring Titles.” NBA.com, 24 June 2026, https://www.nba.com/news/nba-players-with-multiple-3-point-scoring-titles. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- Women’s National Basketball Association. “A’ja Wilson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More.” WNBA, https://www.wnba.com/player/1628932/aja-wilson/bio. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- Women’s National Basketball Association. “Diana Taurasi Voted by Fans as WNBA’s Greatest Player of All Time.” WNBA, 10 Oct. 2021, https://www.wnba.com/news/diana-taurasi-voted-by-fans-as-wnbas-greatest-player-of-all-time. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
- Women’s National Basketball Association. “WNBA Continues Celebration of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players in League History, ‘The W25.’” WNBA, 5 Sept. 2021, https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-continues-celebration-of-landmark-25th-season-names-greatest-players-in-league-history-the-w25. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.
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