10 Best NBA Players Born In February: This Is The Month When The GOAT Was Born

The month of love has some of the most liked players in NBA history. When you look at the best players born in February, it gave the fans plenty of moments they loved, so it’s not ironic at all they were born this month too. The list of February talent is so strong that not even Stephon Marbury, Steve Francis, D’Angelo Russell, and Joakim Noah made the cut.

From Hall of Fame talent to future Hall of Fame talent, this list also features two of the greatest champions in history. The number of MVPs and championship rings could fill a trophy case. Without any further ado, these are the 10 best NBA players born in February.

Honorable Mentions

Vlade Divac

Birth Date: February 3, 1968

Career Stats: 11.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.4 BPG

Awards: All-Star (2001), All-Rookie First Team (1990), No. 21 retired by Kings, Hall of Fame

Divac spent most of his career playing center and was considered a well-established passer. He was a pioneer player for future European talent. He was one of the first European players to transfer to the NBA in the late 80s.

He finished his career as one of the best players in the EuroLeague, while also finishing one of seven players to ever record at least 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, and 1,500 blocks. That list includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Pau Gasol, and Hakeem Olajuwon, which is not bad company to be around.

Luka Doncic

Birth Date: February 28, 1999

Career Stats: 26.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Awards: 3x All-Star (2020-2022), 2x All-NBA First Team (2020, 2021), Rookie of the Year (2019)

Doncic is one of the game’s best young stars. At the age of 23, he is already a multi All-NBA First Team selection. He was the first player to receive a supermax contract off a rookie deal. We are continuing to witness his development, which will likely include a season that sees him average a triple-double.

Doncic owns just four seasons in the NBA, so he is an honorable-mention selection for now. Give Doncic some time and we could be talking about him as an MVP or Finals MVP. The Mavericks were fortunate to go from Dirk Nowitzki to Doncic in a matter of time.

Neil Johnston

Birth Date: February 4, 1929

Career Stats: 19.4 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 2.5 APG

Awards: NBA Champion (1956), 6x All-Star (1953-1958), 4x All-NBA First Team (1953-1956), All-NBA Second Team (1957), 3x Scoring Champion (1953-1955), Rebounding Leader (1955), Hall of Fame

From 1951 to 1959, Johnston played for the Philadelphia Warriors. He was one of the game’s best scorers at the time, winning three straight scoring titles in the 50s. He also won the scoring title and rebounding title in the same season in 1955.

Johnston was forced to retire from the league early due to a knee injury. In his eight-year career, he averaged a strong stat line that also featured a field-goal percentage of 44.4%. Johnston was eventually elected to the Hall of Fame.

Chet Walker

Birth Date: February 22, 1940

Career Stats: 18.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.1 SPG, 0.0 BPG

Awards: NBA Champion (1967), 7x All-Star (1964, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974), All-Rookie First Team (1963), Hall of Fame

Walker was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals, where he enjoyed most of his success. He followed the team to Philadelphia when the team changed locations. He was a part of the first NBA-wins record holder when the 76ers won 68 games in 1966-1967. That same team also ended an eight-year championship run by the Boston Celtics.

Walker played six seasons with the Bulls as well and never averaged less than 19 points per game. He finished his career with nearly 19,000 career points. While playing the forward position, he was an exceptional free throw shooter as well, leading the league in 1971. He was later selected to the Hall of Fame.

10. Adrian Dantley

Birth Date: February 28, 1955

Career Stats: 24.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG

Awards: 6x All-Star (1980-1982, 1974-1986), 2x All-NBA Second Team (1981, 1984), Comeback Player of the Year (1984), Rookie of the Year (1977), All-Rookie First Team (1977), 2x Scoring Champion (1981, 1984), No. 4 retired by the Jazz, Hall of Fame

Dantley was a bona fide scorer during his heyday. He led the league in scoring two times and in free throws six times. He shares the record with Wilt Chamberlain for most free throws made in a regular-season game with 28.

Dantley’s scoring was recognizable to James Harden. His ability to score in the low post was remarkable. What was even more impressive was that he did all of that while having shorter legs than his opposition.

9. Alonzo Mourning

Birth Date: February 8, 1970

Career Stats: 17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2.8 BPG

Awards: NBA Champion (2006), 7x All-Star (1994-1997, 2000-2002), All-NBA First Team (1999), All-NBA Second Team (2000), 2x Defensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000), 2x All-Defensive First Team (1999, 2000), 2x Blocks Leader (1999, 2000), All-Rookie First Team (2013), No. 33 retired by the Heat, Hall of Fame

Mourning was one of the best defensive centers in league history. Mourning was an efficient post player on offense, but his true call to fame was his defense during the later part of the 90s. Mourning was back-to-back winners of the Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000, where he also led the league in blocks.

Later in his career, Mourning was an essential piece in the Miami Heat winning the 2006 championship. Mourning was always a well-respected locker room presence too. Altogether, he was a complete package that helped land him in the Hall of Fame.

8. Klay Thompson

Birth Date: February 8, 1990

Career Stats: 19.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Awards: 3x NBA Champion (2015, 2017, 2018), 5x All-Star (2015-2019), 2x All-NBA Third Team (2015, 2016), All-Defensive Second Team (2019), Three-Point Contest Champion (2016), All-Rookie First Team (2012)

If Klay Thompson played the last two seasons, he could be on track to finish behind Steph Curry in the all-time rankings for three-point field goals. Thompson missed the last two seasons due to injuries, but when healthy, he was one of the game’s best two-way players. There was a dominant stretch where he was one of the best shooters in the game, which is why the “Splash Bros” featured him alongside Steph Curry.

Thompson was a major contributor to the Warriors winning three championships and making five straight appearances in the NBA Finals from 2015 to 2019. Thompson could be a major reason why the Warriors win a fourth title this year. That remains to be seen, but he remains a critical part of NBA history for his shooting.

7. James Worthy

Birth Date: February 27, 1961

Career Stats: 17.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Awards: 3x NBA Champion (1985, 1987, 1988), Finals MVP (1988), 7x All-Star (1986-1992), All-NBA Third Team (1990, 1991), All-Rookie First Team (1983), NBA 50th Anniversary Team, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, No. 42 retired by the Lakers, Hall of Fame

“Big Game James” was a different breed. Worthy could have ridden the coattails of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson in the 80s. Both of those players were good enough to carry the Lakers, but Worthy made his own story. Worthy led the Lakers in playoff scoring in 1987 and 1988, which also saw him win the Finals MVP in 1988.

Worthy typically scored more in the playoffs than in the regular season which is why his teammates gave him the nickname. Worthy averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in his regular-season career. In the playoffs, those numbers grew to 21.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, while shooting more than 50% from the field.

6. Nikola Jokic

Birth Date: February 19, 1995

Career Stats: 19.6 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Awards: MVP (2021), 4x All-Star (2019-2022), 2x All-NBA First Team (2019, 2021), All-NBA Second Team (2020), All-Rookie First Team (2016)

Jokic is 26 years old and still blossoming into one of the best passing centers we have ever seen. Jokic is on track to potentially repeat as the MVP this season as well. The four-time All-Star has never played in the NBA Finals, but he is nearly averaging a triple-double at times as a seven-footer.

Jokic is a true modern-day center. He can run the floor, shoot from outside, and pass. His ability to see the floor is something compared to an elite point guard, yet he is a center. Jokic is going to be a Hall of Famer if he keeps this up, but he needs to find a way to get his team to the championships before he moves up this list.

5. Charles Barkley

Birth Date: February 20, 1963

Career Stats: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Awards: MVP (1993), 11x All-Star (1987-1997), All-Star Game MVP (1991), 5x All-NBA First Team (1988-1991, 1993), 5x All-NBA Second Team (1987, 1987, 1992, 1994, 1995), All-NBA Third Team (1996), All-Rookie First Team (1985), Rebounding Leader (1988), NBA 50th Anniversary Team, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, No. 34 retired by the 76ers, Hall of Fame

Barkley is right up there with Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Steve Nash as the best players to never win a championship. Barkley was an ultimate post player that could play small forward, power forward, or center. He was a physical rebounder that helped him win the rebounding title in 1988, while his brash and outspoken confidence made him a polarizing figure in the league in his prime.

Barkley was incredibly efficient inside the arc, leading the league in two-point field goal percentage every season from 1987 to 1991. Barkley was considered undersized, which is why this is more impressive. After all, he was the shortest player in league history to win a rebounding title.

4. Steve Nash

Birth Date: February 7, 1974

Career Stats: 14.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 8.5 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Awards: 2x MVP (2005, 2006), 8x All-Star (2002, 2003, 2005-2008, 2010, 2012), 3x All-NBA First Team (2005-2007), 2x All-NBA Second Team (2008, 2010), 2x All-NBA Third Team (2002, 2003), 5x Assists Leader (2005-2007, 2010, 2011), 4x 50-40-90 Club (2006, 2008-2010), NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Hall of Fame

With Nash finishing as a two-time MVP, he gets the extra nod over Barkley. Nash was known for his playmaking and shooting, but more importantly his efficiency. Nash led the league in assists five times, helping the likes of Amar’e Stoudemire turn into one of the game’s best centers. While Nash was effective in playmaking, he was also an efficient shooter.

Nash made the 50-40-90 Club four times in his career. He leads the league in that capacity. Only Larry Bird is the only player ever to do it more than once (two times), while all other members of the club have done it one time. Nash is also one of the three point guards (Magic Johnson and Steph Curry) to own multiple MVPs, while just one of four guards (Johnson, Curry, and Michael Jordan) to win back-to-back MVPs.

3. Julius Erving

Birth Date: February 22, 1950

Career Stats: 22.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Awards: NBA Champion (1983), MVP (1981), 11x All-Star (1977-1987), 2x All-Star Game MVP (1977, 1983), 5x All-NBA First Team (1978, 1980-1983), 2x All-NBA Second Team (1977, 1984), No. 32 retired by the Nets, No. 6 retired by the 76ers, NBA 35th Anniversary Team, NBA 50th Anniversary Team, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Hall of Fame

One could make the argument that Erving is the best player ever to come out of the ABA. He remains the only player to ever win MVP in the ABA and NBA. When he transitioned to the NBA, he was just as good. He is the eighth-highest scorer in ABA/NBA history with over 30,000 career points. Erving was a poster child for dunking, which included iconic dunks from the free-throw line in Slam Dunk Contests.

Erving was extremely talented. He cemented his legacy as a great NBA player by winning the MVP and an NBA championship. On top of that, he made the All-Star team 11 times and was a seven-time All-NBA member. At the end of the day, there is no better dunker born in February than Erving.

2. Bill Russell

Birth Date: February 12, 1934

Awards: 11x NBA Champion (1957, 1959-1966, 1968, 1969), 5x MVP (1958, 1961-1963, 1965), 12 All-Star (1958-1969), All-Star Game MVP (1963), 3x ALl-NBA First Team (1959, 1963, 1965), 8x All-NBA Second Team (1958, 1960-2962, 1964, 1966-1968), All-Defensive First Team (1969), 4x Rebounding Champion (1959, 1959, 1964, 1965), No. 6 retired by the Celtics, NBA 25th Anniversary Team, NBA 35th Anniversary Team, NBA 50th Anniversary Team, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Hall of Fame

Russell never averaged 20 points in a season, but he never needed to do that. He had a role on the team and excelled at it. He was a dominant defensive player that remains one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history. Had All-Defensive First Teams not started until his final year in the league, he likely would have finished his career with the most appearances.

Russell led the league in rebounds four times and had 12 seasons with at least 1,000 or more rebounds. He is also only one of two players (Wilt Chamberlain) to have finished with at least 50 rebounds in a single game. Russell is the greatest champion in the sport, having won 11 titles, complemented with 5 regular season MVPs.

1. Michael Jordan

Birth Date: February 17, 1963

Career Stats: 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Awards: 6x NBA Champion (1991-1993, 1996-1998), 6x Finals MVP (1991-1993, 1996-1998), 5x MVP (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), 14x All-Star (1985-1993, 1996-1998, 2002, 2003), 3x All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998), 10x All-NBA First Team (1987-1993, 1996-1998), All-NBA Second Team (1985), Defensive Player of the Year (1988), 9x All-Defensive First Team (1988-1993, 1996-1998), Rookie of the Year (1985), All-Rookie First Team (1985), 10x Scoring Champion (1987-1993, 1996-1998), 3x Steals Leader (1988, 1990, 1993), 2x Slam Dunk Champion (1987, 1988), No. 23 retired by the Bulls, No. 23 retired by the Heat, NBA 50th Anniversary Team, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, Hall of Fame

The only player to beat the greatest champion is potentially the greatest player ever to play. That’s Michael Jordan. The 14-time All-Star from the Chicago Bulls led two different three-peats, which included a perfect 6-0 mark in the NBA Finals. For his six titles came six Finals MVPs too. His stats include 10 scoring titles and nine All-Defensive First Team selections, cementing his legacy as a top two-way player.

Jordan did just about everything you could ask of a player in his career. When it came to taking over, it was to get the ball to Jordan and get out of the way. Jordan was beloved by the fans, who remain loyal by calling him the best player ever. It’s only fitting that he was born in the “love month” given how beloved he is by the NBA universe. 

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