NBA: Members of the quadruple double club

Just over a year ago, the 11th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft during his rookie game for the Philadelphia 76ers came mighty close to achieving something that nobody had for over 2 decades - a quadruple double. Michael Carter Williams was the rookie and he was entering the NBA after a Syracuse University, the same college Carmelo Anthony went to before taking his talents to the league. With his stats of 22 points, 11 assists, 9 steals and 7 rebounds, he guided a lowly placed 76ers to an upset victory over the then two-time defending champions Miami Heat. While Williams missed out on an incredible feat that would have made his name immortal alongside the league’s greats, there were four other players who didn’t miss out on recording a quadruple double.In case any of you are not clear about what a quadruple-double means here is what it is- a player recording double figures in any four of these five categories – points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.Here’s an insight into those four players and the only four games that ever witnessed a triple-double.

Also read: The only 4 Players to have recorded a Quadruple-Double

#4 Nate Thurmond

18th Oct 1974

For the Chicago Bulls against the Atlanta Hawks

Stat Line: 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocks.

In the overtime game between the two teams, Nate Thurmond was the first player in the history of the league to ever record a quadruple double. Thurmond is a member of Naismith Hall of Fame Basketball and was named in 1997 in the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

He played for three teams-The Golden State Warriors, Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers over the course of his 14 year NBA career. Nicknamed “Nick the Great”, Thurmond’s #42 jersey has been retired by the Cavs and Warriors.

#3 Alvin Robertson

18th Feb 1986

For the San Antonio Spurs against the Phoenix Suns

Stat Line: 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 steals.

Far lesser known than the rest of the players on this list, Alvin Robertson holds the record for the highest average in steals per games played-2.71. He spent 12 years in the NBA playing for the Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors.

Other than these two records to his name, Robertson is also remembered for being the first player to score points in Raptors franchise history after he scored a three pointer off a winning opening tip.

#2 Hakeem Olajuwon

29th March 1990

For the Houston Rockets against the Milwaukee Bucks

Stat Line: 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists and 11 blocks.

Believed to be the greatest center to have ever played, Hakeem Olajuwon was drafted 1st overall in 1984 NBA Draft, a draft class that included John Stockton, Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. He played 17 of his 18 years in the NBA for the Houston Rockets, who he also won back to back to championships in the 1990’s and a single year with the Raptors.

He is inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame Basketball and was also named in the 50 Greatest Players to have ever played in the NBA. Other than being the all-time blocks leader, he is also the only player to have won the NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP in the same season.

#1 David Robinson

17th Feb 1994

For the San Antonio Spurs against the Detroit Pistons

Stat Line: 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocks.

Nicknamed “The Admiral” Robinson is the only player on this list to be a two time Naismith Hall of Fame Basketball, one himself and the other as a member of the1992 USA National Basketball Team. To date, he is the only player from the Navy to have played in the NBA.

He played all his 14 years in the league for the San Antonio Spurs for with whom he won 2 championships, one in 1999 and the other in 2003. He was named the league MVP in 1995 and among the 50 Greatest Players ever to play in 1997.