Nate Thurmond
Inducted:
1985
Player Stats
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
Born
July 25, 1941
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Died
July 16, 2016
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Position
Center
Power forward
College
Bowling Green (1960–1963)
Nate Thurmond was one of the most dominant defensive centers in NBA history. Known for his rebounding strength, shot-blocking ability, and physical presence, Thurmond starred primarily with the Golden State Warriors during the 1960s and early 1970s.
Playing in an era alongside legends like Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Thurmond carved out his own legacy as a relentless defender and elite rebounder. He recorded the first officially recognized quadruple-double in NBA history (1974) while with the Chicago Bulls.
A seven-time NBA All-Star, Thurmond averaged a double-double for his career and was named to multiple All-Defensive Teams. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.
Thurmond's Awards & Records
- Consensus second-team All-American (1963)
- 3× First-team All-MAC (1961–1963)
- First player to record an official Quadruple-Double (1974)
- 42 retired by Golden State Warriors
- 42 retired by Cleveland Cavaliers
NBA Records
- 7× NBA All-Star (1965–1968, 1970, 1973, 1974)
- 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1969, 1971)
- 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1972–1974)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1964)
- NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th)
NBA Teams
San Francisco / Golden State Warriors (1963–1974)
Chicago Bulls (1974–1975)
Cleveland Cavaliers (1975–1977)
NBA Draft
1963: 1st round, 3rd overall pick
San Francisco Warriors
Number Worn
42
NBA Stats
Seasons:
14 (1963–1977)
Games Played:
984
Points:
14,437 (15.0 ppg)
Rebounds:
14,464 (15.0 rpg)
Assists:
2,575 (2.7 apg)
Steal:
125 (0.5 spg)
Blocks:
553 (2.1 bpg)
Field Goal(%):
42.1%
Free Throw(%):
66.7%