The Quadruple Double: Basketball's Elusive Feat

has a quadruple double ever happened in basketball

In basketball, a quadruple-double is a remarkable feat achieved by a player who accumulates ten or more in four of the five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. This rare occurrence has only been officially recorded four times in NBA history, with players like Jason Kidd, James Harden, and Hakeem Olajuwon achieving this remarkable feat. In other leagues, such as the WNBA and NCAA, players like Veronica Pettry and Lester Hudson have also achieved quadruple-doubles, showcasing their dominance on the court.

Characteristics Values
Number of times a quadruple-double has happened in the NBA 4
Names of players who have achieved a quadruple-double Jason Kidd, James Harden, Hakeem Olajuwon, Alvin Robertson
First male player in NCAA Division I history to record a quadruple-double Lester Hudson in 2007
First Division I women's player to record a quadruple-double Veronica Pettry of Loyola–Chicago in 1989
Other women who have recorded a quadruple-double Jackie Spencer of Louisville (1984-85 season), Shakyla Hill of Grambling State (2018 and 2019)

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What is a quadruple double?

In basketball, a quadruple-double is a rare feat in which a player reaches double figures in four of the five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. This means a player must accumulate 10 or more in four out of the five categories during a single game.

For example, if a player achieves 10 points, 10 assists, 10 rebounds, and 10 blocks in a game, they have achieved a quadruple-double. This requires a high level of all-around performance, including offensive and defensive mastery, making it an extremely challenging milestone to reach.

As of 2024, there have only been four official quadruple-doubles recorded in the NBA's history. The first was by Phoenix Suns point guard Jason Kidd on November 17, 2000, with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and 14 turnovers. The second was by Houston Rockets guard James Harden on March 7, 2020, with 30 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds, and 10 turnovers.

Outside of the NBA, there have been a few other recorded quadruple-doubles. Lester Hudson recorded the first in NCAA Division I history in 2007. In women's basketball, Veronica Pettry of Loyola–Chicago achieved the feat in 1989, and it has only been accomplished three other times since, with the most recent being Shakyla Hill of Grambling State in 2018 and 2019.

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How many quadruple doubles have been achieved in the NBA?

A quadruple-double in basketball is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates double digits in four out of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. This feat is extremely rare, with only four players officially recording a quadruple-double in National Basketball Association (NBA) history.

The first American male player above the high school level to achieve this feat was Nate Thurmond, who played for the Chicago Bulls in 1974. In his first game with the team, he scored 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks, leading the Bulls to a 120-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The other three players who achieved a quadruple-double are all considered "big men". David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs recorded 10 assists and 14 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on the final day of the 1993-94 NBA season. Olajuwon of the Houston Rockets scored 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists in a 120-94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in 1990. The second instance of a quadruple-double occurred in 2020 when James Harden of the Houston Rockets had 30 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds, and 10 turnovers in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

Alvin Robertson, also of the San Antonio Spurs, is the only guard and the only player to achieve a quadruple-double with points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

While quadruple-doubles are extremely rare in the NBA, they are even rarer in other leagues. For example, only eight triple-doubles have been recorded in EuroLeague history as of 2024.

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Who has achieved a quadruple double in the NBA?

A quadruple-double is a single-game performance in which a basketball player accumulates ten or more in four of the five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. This feat is extremely rare, with only four players officially recording a quadruple-double in NBA history.

The first player to record a quadruple-double was Nate Thurmond, who achieved this feat in his first game as a member of the Chicago Bulls. He totaled 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks while leading the Bulls to a 120-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks in overtime.

The second player to achieve a quadruple-double was Alvin Robertson, who is the only player to accomplish the feat without being a center, doing so with steals rather than blocks. The third player was Hakeem Olajuwon, who holds the NBA record for the most 5x5 games and came closest to recording 10 blocks and 10 steals in the same game.

The fourth and most recent quadruple-double was recorded by James Harden of the Houston Rockets on March 7, 2020. Harden had 30 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds, and 10 turnovers in a 108-99 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

Prior to Harden, the most recent quadruple-double was achieved by David Robinson during the 1993-94 NBA season. While his quadruple-double performance was impressive, it was not even his most impressive performance of that season. Robinson's best performance that year was a 71-point, 14-rebound, 5-assist, and 2-block showing in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

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What is a quintuple double?

In basketball, a quintuple-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates ten or more in all five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. This feat is considered extremely rare and has reportedly only been achieved once in the history of the NBA.

Wilt Chamberlain, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, is said to have achieved this feat on March 18, 1968, against the LA Lakers. Chamberlain's alleged quintuple-double included 53 points, 32 rebounds, 14 assists, 24 blocks, and 11 steals. However, it is important to note that the NBA did not officially count steals and blocks at the time, so this record is considered unofficial.

The rarity of quintuple-doubles can be attributed to the difficulty of achieving double digits in all five statistical categories, especially steals and blocks. Double-digit steals and blocks occur very infrequently, with steals happening once or twice a decade and blocks happening once or twice a season in the NBA.

To put Chamberlain's alleged quintuple-double into perspective, only four official quadruple-doubles have ever been recorded in the NBA. A quadruple-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates ten or more in four of the five statistical categories. This feat has been accomplished by Jason Kidd, James Harden, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Alvin Robertson.

Given the rarity and difficulty of achieving a quadruple-double or a quintuple-double, it is considered a remarkable accomplishment in the world of basketball.

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How do the number of games in a season impact the likelihood of a quadruple double?

The number of games in a basketball season can impact the likelihood of a quadruple-double occurring. The NBA season, for example, consists of 82 games, whereas the EuroLeague season has only 34 games. This difference in the number of games provides more opportunities for players in the NBA to achieve a quadruple-double.

The length of each game also varies between leagues. EuroLeague games are 40 minutes long, while NBA games are 48 minutes long. The longer game duration in the NBA gives players more time to accumulate the necessary statistics for a quadruple-double.

The variation in the number of games and game lengths between leagues contributes to the difference in the frequency of quadruple-doubles. As of 2024, there have been eight triple-doubles recorded in EuroLeague history, with only four occurring in the modern era of EuroLeague basketball (since 2000). In contrast, there have been four official quadruple-doubles recorded in NBA history, with the last one occurring in 2020.

The rules and criteria for recording statistics can also impact the likelihood of a quadruple-double. Differences in rules and stricter criteria in the EuroLeague, such as those related to assists, can make achieving a quadruple-double more challenging.

Additionally, the level of competition and playing style in different leagues can influence the likelihood of quadruple-doubles. The NBA is known for its high level of competition and the presence of elite players who have the skills and abilities to achieve quadruple-doubles.

The combination of a higher number of games, longer game durations, rule variations, and competitive player talent in the NBA increases the potential for quadruple-doubles compared to leagues with fewer games and other differing factors.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, a quadruple double has happened in basketball.

Only four quadruple-doubles have ever officially been recorded in the NBA.

The four players who have recorded a quadruple-double in the NBA are Jason Kidd, James Harden, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Alvin Robertson. Lester Hudson recorded a quadruple-double in NCAA Division I men's basketball.

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