Some of the greatest centers in NBA history have won multiple championships, including Hall of Famer Bill Russell, who has a record 11 championships on his resume. Other superstar centers, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal, also managed to win multiple championships, and we have a list of the 32 centers in NBA history with at least two.
11 Championships
Bill Russell
Bill Russell stands alone at the pinnacle of NBA history when it comes to championships, boasting an astonishing 11 titles. His dominance in the league during the 1950s and 60s with the Boston Celtics is unparalleled and cements his legacy as one of the greatest winners in all of sports. What makes Russell’s 11 championships even more impressive is the era in which he played; the NBA was a smaller league with fewer teams, making the competition arguably more concentrated.
Key to Russell’s success was not just his talent but his leadership and ability to make those around him better. He was a defensive stalwart, a fierce rebounder, and a masterful shot-blocker, setting the tone for the Celtics’ defensive identity year after year.
6 Championships
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is another towering figure in NBA history with an impressive six championships to his name. His career spanned two decades, from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, and he showcased an extraordinary level of consistency and longevity. Abdul-Jabbar’s championships came with two different teams: the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, demonstrating his ability to adapt and excel in different environments.
One of the defining aspects of Abdul-Jabbar’s game was his patented skyhook, an almost unblockable shot that became his signature move. Standing at 7’2″, he combined his height with remarkable agility and basketball IQ, making him a dominant force on both ends of the floor. His offensive repertoire was diverse, and he was a prolific scorer throughout his career, eventually becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer—a record that stood until the 2022-23 season.
5 Championships
George Mikan
George Mikan, often referred to as the “Mr. Basketball” of his era, managed to earn five championships during his illustrious career in the early days of the NBA. Mikan was a trailblazer in the sport, standing at 6’10”, which was considered exceptionally tall during his playing days in the 1940s and 1950s. His size and dominant play revolutionized the center position and set the stage for future generations of big men in the NBA.
Mikan’s championships came during his time with the Minneapolis Lakers, where he was the focal point of their offense and defense. He was a prolific scorer and a formidable shot-blocker, earning him the reputation as one of the most intimidating players of his time. He averaged 23.1 points and 13.4 rebounds per game over his seven-year career that saw him enter the Hall of Fame.
4 Championships
Shaquille O’Neal, Robert Parish, Will Perdue
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. Standing at 7’1″ and weighing over 300 pounds during his playing days, Shaq combined brute strength with surprising agility for a player of his size. His championships came with three different teams: the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three titles alongside Kobe Bryant in the early 2000s, and the Miami Heat, where he won his fourth title in 2006. His physical presence and scoring ability made him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams, and he is the last player to win three straight Finals MVPs with a single team.
Robert Parish, also known as “The Chief,” won his four championships with the Boston Celtics during the 1980s. Parish was a key member of the Celtics’ legendary Big Three, alongside Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. Standing at 7’0″, Parish was known for his durability, playing in a record 1,611 regular-season games over his 21-year career. The big man’s longevity and consistent performance were crucial to the Celtics’ success during the 1980s, and his four championships solidified his place as one of the great centers in NBA history.
Will Perdue won his four championships with the Chicago Bulls (3) during the early 1990s and with the Spurs in 1999. While not as well-known as Shaq or Parish, Perdue played a valuable role as a backup center on the Bulls’ championship teams. Standing at 7’0″, Perdue was a solid defender and rebounder off the bench, providing valuable minutes behind Bulls’ star center, Bill Cartwright.
3 Championships
Clyde Lovellette, Stacey King, Luc Longley, James Edwards, Bill Cartwright, Bill Wennington, JaVale McGee, Scott Williams, Kevon Looney
Clyde Lovellette, a four-time All-Star, was a dominant center in the 1950s and won his three championships with the Minneapolis Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Standing at 6’9″, Lovellette was known for his scoring ability and was one of the first big men to develop a reliable jump shot, making him a unique and valuable player during his era.
Stacey King won his three championships with the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the early 1990s. King, a 6’11” power forward/center, was a solid contributor off the bench, providing scoring and rebounding in limited minutes. His time with the Bulls allowed him to be part of one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history.
Luc Longley, an Australian center, earned his three championships with the Chicago Bulls during their second three-peat in the late 1990s. Longley, standing at 7’2″, was a key part of the Bulls’ frontcourt, providing solid defense, rebounding, and passing. His international background and unique skill set made him an essential piece of the Bulls’ championship puzzle.
James Edwards, known as “Buddha,” won his three championships with the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Edwards, a 7’0″ center, was a skilled low-post scorer and a reliable defender. His veteran presence and championship experience were valuable assets to both the Pistons and Bulls during their title runs.
Standing at 7’1″, Bill Cartwright was a starting center for the Bulls and provided leadership, scoring, and defense in the paint. His experience and skill set were integral to the Bulls’ success during their championship years.
Bill Wennington, a 7’0″ center, was a reliable backup to Bill Cartwright, providing scoring and rebounding off the bench. His versatility and basketball IQ made him a valuable role player for the Bulls.
JaVale McGee won his three championships with the Golden State Warriors in the 2010s. McGee, a 7’0″ center, was a high-energy player known for his shot-blocking and dunking ability. His athleticism and rim protection were key components of the Warriors’ championship-winning teams.
Scott Williams won his three championships with the Chicago Bulls in the early 1990s. Williams, a 6’10” power forward/center, was a tenacious rebounder and defender off the bench. His hustle and physicality provided the Bulls with valuable frontcourt depth during their title runs.
Kevon Looney, a 6’9″ big man, is known for his defense, rebounding, and high basketball IQ. His versatility and ability to guard multiple positions made him a key contributor to the Warriors’ championship success as a big man in a small-ball lineup.
2 Championships
Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Willis Reed, Bill Walton, Dave Cowens, Bob McAdoo, Arnie Risen, Andrew Bynum, Mychal Thompson, Bill Laimbeer, Mel Counts, Earl Cureton, Mike Smrek, Mark Madsen, Greg Kite, D.J. Mbenga
Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most dominant centers in NBA history, won his two championships with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 1972. Standing at 7’1″, Chamberlain was a prolific scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker. His unmatched athleticism and scoring ability made him a transcendent figure in the game and a key contributor to his teams’ championship runs and he would have had more rings if not for the Bill Russell-led dynasty.
Hakeem Olajuwon captured his two championships with the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995. Olajuwon, a 7’0″ center, was known for his extraordinary footwork, shot-blocking prowess, and scoring ability in the post. His performance during the Rockets’ back-to-back championship seasons earned him the NBA Finals MVP award both years and solidified his place as one of the greatest centers in NBA history.
David Robinson won his two championships with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999 and 2003. Robinson, known as “The Admiral,” was a 7’1″ center with a versatile skill set, including scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking. His leadership and on-court excellence were crucial to the Spurs’ success, especially alongside Tim Duncan in the frontcourt.
Willis Reed led the New York Knicks to championships in 1970 and 1973. Reed, a 6’9″ center, was a tenacious rebounder and defender. He was also known for his scoring ability and leadership, famously playing through a torn thigh in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals and inspiring his team to victory.
Bill Walton won his two championships with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977 and the Boston Celtics in 1986. Walton, a 6’11” center, was a highly skilled and versatile player known for his passing, rebounding, and shot-blocking. His unselfish play and team-first mentality were integral to both the Blazers’ and Celtics’ championship runs.
Dave Cowens was a part of the Boston Celtics’ championship teams in 1974 and 1976. Cowens, a 6’9″ center, was a fierce competitor known for his hustle, rebounding, and scoring ability. His intensity and leadership were key factors in the Celtics’ success during the mid-1970s.
Bob McAdoo won his two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1982 and 1985. McAdoo, a 6’9″ center, was a prolific scorer and rebounder. His offensive prowess and versatility were valuable assets to the Lakers during their championship-winning seasons although he made his name before he earned his championships, winning three scoring titles in the 1970s.
Arnie Risen earned his rings with the Rochester Royals in 1951 and the Boston Celtics in 1957. Risen, a 6’9″ center, was a skilled scorer and rebounder. His contributions to the Royals and Celtics were crucial in their championship runs during the early years of the NBA.
Andrew Bynum captured his two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010. Bynum, a 7’0″ center, was a promising young talent known for his size, rebounding, and shot-blocking but became part of a twin-towers pairing alongside Pau Gasol in Kobe Bryant’s Lakers.
Mychal Thompson won his two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 and 1988. Thompson, a 6’10” power forward/center, was a solid rebounder and defender. His frontcourt presence and contributions off the bench were key to the Lakers’ back-to-back championships.
Bill Laimbeer won his two championships with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990. Laimbeer, a 6’11” center, was known for his physicality, rebounding, and outside shooting ability. His toughness and competitiveness were integral to the Pistons’ “Bad Boys” era and their championship success.
Mel Counts was a solid rebounder and scorer. His contributions off the bench were valuable to the Celtics’ championship-winning teams during the mid-1960s. Earl Cureton, a 6’9″ big man, was a tenacious rebounder and defender. His hustle and physical play were key factors in the Pistons’ back-to-back championships.
Mike Smrek won his two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987 and 1988. Smrek, a 7’0″ center, was a role player known for his rebounding and shot-blocking. Mark Madsen, a 6’9″ center, was known for his energy and hustle. His contributions off the bench and his popularity among teammates and fans made him a memorable part of the Lakers’ championship teams.
Greg Kite won his two championships with the Boston Celtics in 1984 and 1986. Kite, a 6’11” center, was a solid rebounder and defender. His contributions off the bench were valuable to the Celtics’ championship-winning teams while D.J. Mbenga won his two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009 and 2010 as a bench player.
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