Wilt Chamberlain, one of basketball’s most dominant figures, recently secured the No. 6 spot on The Athletic’s “The Basketball 100” list—a ranking of the NBA’s greatest players. Known for his incredible scoring ability, unmatched physicality, and larger-than-life persona, Chamberlain’s legacy is built on jaw-dropping stats that remain virtually untouchable. Most notably, his 100-point game and his 1961-62 season average of 50.4 points per game stand as feats that few can even imagine reaching. The Athletic’s ranking reinforces how Chamberlain, despite playing in an earlier era, achieved performances that continue to define the limits of what players can do on the court.
The quote, “OK, Wilt’s gonna get his 50,” captures the inevitability of Chamberlain’s scoring power. Opponents and fans alike recognized that stopping Wilt was almost impossible—he would simply dominate games in ways no one else could. His size and skill set allowed him to control games from start to finish, making him a constant threat on offense and defense. This scoring predictability became his signature, challenging both individual defenders and entire teams. His ability to put up such high numbers game after game helped shape the way the league evolved, leading to rule changes and strategies focused solely on limiting his impact.
Ranking Wilt at No. 6 acknowledges his lasting influence on the game while reflecting how difficult it is to compare players across different eras. Chamberlain’s athletic prowess and record-breaking performances solidified his place among the greatest of all time, and even decades after his retirement, he continues to be a standard for excellence. The Athletic’s list reminds us that while many players have achieved greatness, few have reached the legendary status of Chamberlain, whose dominance still resonates within the basketball world today.
