Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most recognizable players in NBA history, even 52 years after he retired from the game. He's second all-time in PPG (30.1), first in RPG (22.9), and scored the most points in a single game (100). Wilt has some of the sport's most unbreakable records that would take too long to encapsulate, but he's surely one of the most dominant players ever.
However, it's not just his incredible statistics that keep Chamberlain in discussions over half a century since the day he hung up the shoes for good. He was also a very fascinating person off the floor, providing some of the wackiest stories and quotes of any NBA player.
When Wilt gives his opinion on a matter, it's probably best practice listening to him. Back in 1979, Chamberlain ranked his top 10 players of all-time, and it was certain to ruffle some feathers, even in those days.
Now, Chamberlain didn't have access to the future, so he wasn't even considering most of the greats that have revealed themselves in the last 45 years. Still, it was a very interesting list with some major omissions.
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Lakers
At first overall, Wilt Chamberlain stuck to his not-so-humble brand, choosing himself to be the starting center on his fictitious team. However, while his arrogance may come off as gauling to some fans, he had every reason to do so, as Wilt was easily one of the two best centers that had ever played circa 1979 (he is still in 2025).
Chamberlain's dominance was equal parts statistical as pure eye test, as his seven-foot-one, 275-pound frame was more athletic and skilled than anyone had seen at that size. He moved with the grace of a point guard, jumped with the power of LeBron James, and was still bigger and stronger than everyone in the league. Wilt's success would easily translate to the modern day.
Although he didn't break through for more than just two championships in an era run by Bill Russell's Boston Celtics, Chamberlain's statistical profile is alarmingly great. He has the second-best all-time career PPG, is first in all-time RPG, and has the highest single-season (44.9) and game scoring record (100).
Wilt averaged 33-plus points and 22-plus rebounds a game for six straight seasons to open his career. He won four league MVPs and was one of the two best players of the 1960s. He belongs firmly on this list, regardless of who made it. However, he had interesting comments to make about his other superstar rival of that era. More on that later.
Jerry West
Jerry West
Chamberlain fittingly selects the NBA logo, Jerry West, at second. Similar to himself, West was a legendary player who dominated the league despite only winning one NBA title over nine Finals appearances. He, just like Chamberlain, fell victim to an era overseen by Bill Russell's Celtics, and was only able to break through after Russell retired.
Furthermore, West's 1972 title was won alongside Wilt, who joined the LA Lakers in 1968-69. A 35-year-old Chamberlain won Finals MVP that season, but West was the clearcut best player on the squad, averaging 25.8 points and a league-leading 9.7 assists.
West was another extremely dominant statistical player, averaging 27.0 points (seventh all-time) and 6.7 assists a game for his career. He won Finals MVP in 1969 despite losing the series, further marking how unlucky of a player he was. West remains the only guy to win that award in a series loss.
Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson
As this list was given by a legend of this era and made in 1979, there's going to be a lot of underrated NBA greats on it that people may have forgotten about. Well, Oscar Robertson is the epitome of an underrated basketball legend. He was the old-time version of a modern-day Russell Westbrook, with better winning intangibles than Westbrook.
Robertson was the first player to average a triple-double for a season until Westbrook did it in 2017, posting 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.8 assists a game in 1962. He came close to doing it again several times, as he hovered around 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for most of his prime.
Oscar has nine top-five MVP finishes, the 1964 MVP award, and won the 1971 NBA title next to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was like a modern point guard at six-foot-five who could do everything on the floor. Robertson was an excellent scorer, passer, rebounder, defender, and transition player. He knew how to fill up the box-score, and did it all while helping his team win games.
Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor, Lakers
Talk about forgotten legends. Elgin Baylor is fourth on Wilt's list, and rightly so, as Baylor is still one of the all-time great scorers. His 27.4 points per game rank fifth all-time, and although he never won a title with the Lakers, he remains one of the very best small forwards ever.
Baylor is arguably the most accomplished player ever to not win a championship, as he was yet another guy who fell victim to Bill Russell's dominance in the 1960s. Sensing a theme? He also averaged 13.5 rebounds a night for his career, which ranks 10th all-time.
Simply put, Baylor is one of the best scorers to ever pick up a basketball, and doesn't get the shine he deserves because other players from his era were remembered more fondly than he was.
Bob Pettit
Bob Pettit
At fifth, Chamberlain gives props to one of the very original stars of the NBA, Bob Pettit. Pettit, an eleven-year veteran who played primarily with the St. Louis Hawks from 1956-1965, was an eleven-time All-Star and All-NBA member. Pettit won two league MVPs, the Rookie of the Year, and never placed outside the top-six in MVP voting until his final season.
Bob averaged 26.4 points (10th all-time) and 16.4 rebounds (third) for his career, posting one of the most impressive statistical resumes of all-time. Pettit won the 1958 championship, cementing his legacy as a legend of the game. He was truly one of the pioneers of the sport we now call modern basketball.
Rick Barry
Rick Barry
At sixth, Chamberlain gives the nod to a fellow San Francisco Warrior, Rick Barry. Wilt and Rick never overlapped as players in San Francisco, but Barry played eight of his 14 seasons in the Bay. Barry was one of the original volume scorers, averaging 24.6 points per game for his career.
Rick was a well-rounded player, also giving his teams 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He was also a winner who defined what it took to help his team, and the 1975 Golden State Warriors won the title behind his impeccable 28.1 point, 6.1 assist per game playoff run that landed him Finals MVP.
Billy Cunningham
Billy Cunningham, Philadelphia 76ers
Wilt then chose Billy Cunningham, small forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, because "I guess no one hustled harder than he did". Cunningham was one of several selections that featured back-handed compliments from Chamberlain, but he also earned his spot on the list as one of the greatest players of the pre-Bird/Magic era of the NBA.
For his career, Cunningham averaged 21.2 points and 10.4 rebounds. He was part of the 1967 76ers squad who broke through Bill Russell's era of dominance and captured a title. He was a hustle player, for sure, but Cunningham was also just one of the better players of that time.
Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy Boston Celtics
At eighth, Wilt handed out another backhanded compliment to Bob Cousy, Celtics legend. He chose Cousy, "not because he was so good, but because he was a showman". So, Wilt picked Cousy for his all-time ranking not because he had supreme skill or talent, but because he knew how to put on a show. Chamberlain certainly knows a little bit about that.
Although Chamberlain was right about Cousy's showmanship, as he was one of the original entertaining players due to his funky passes, creative dribble moves, and weird shots, he was also an elite player who led Boston to 6 of their 11 titles in the 50s and 60s.
Cousy averaged 18.4 points and 7.5 assists in his 14-year career.
John Havlicek
John Havlicek
At nine, Wilt chose John Havlicek over Walt Clyde Frazier because while Walt was always hurt, Havlicek would never miss a game. As Wilt said, "You'd have to shoot Havlicek in both legs to stop him". Although Frazier was an injury-prone player, he certainly was the better superstar in that era, but Chamberlain has his reasons.
Havlicek played his entire 16-year career with the Celtics, bridging the gap between the Cousy/Russell core that won 11 titles and the Larry Bird era of Boston basketball. Havlicek won 6 titles in the 60s, but also stole two rings in the 1970s with a completely different Boston team. To some, he is the ultimate Celtic.
Nate Thurmond
Nate Thurmond
At ten, Wilt made his most ridiculous omission. He picked Nate Thurmond over Bill Russell for his next center position because "he was a better, tougher defender who could also score the ball". According to Wilt, Russell "loafed" on offense far more often than Thurmond ever did on either end, which is why he chose Nate over Bill.
Thurmond was an excellent player in his own right, averaging 15 points and 15 rebounds for his career. However, Russell was an eleven-time champion who is considered one of the 10 greatest players of all-time, even in 2025. Chamberlain claims that the Celtics would've been just as great with Thurmond at center as they were with Russell.
It's an outlandish contention that seems to be rooted in jealousy of the rival that bested him so many times, but Chamberlain was the one playing on the floor. So, maybe he knows something we don't.