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In basketball, a double-double is a noteworthy achievement where a player accumulates double-digit numbers in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The term double-double refers to the two categories and the double-digit number achieved in each. This article will explore the concept of double-doubles in basketball, including how they are punctuated and their significance in evaluating player performance and versatility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates double-digit totals in two of the five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. |
| Common Combinations | Points and rebounds, followed by points and assists. |
| Leaders | Since the 1983–84 season, Tim Duncan leads the National Basketball Association (NBA) with 841 double-doubles. John Stockton leads the points–assists combination with 714, and Russell Westbrook leads the rebounds–assists combinations with 142. |
| Fantasy Basketball | Double-doubles are valuable as they mean a player is performing well in multiple categories, which is beneficial in points leagues and nine-category leagues. |
| Rare Combinations | Mark Eaton has the most career double-doubles with blocks (14), while Alvin Robertson has the most with steals (4). No player has recorded 10 blocks and 10 steals in the same game. |
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What You'll Learn
Double-doubles are a valuable indicator of a player's versatility and value
In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates double-digit numbers in two of the five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The term was coined by former NBA player John Shedd in the 1980s.
Double-doubles are an important indicator of a player's versatility and value. They showcase a player's ability to perform well in multiple facets of the game and their capability to make significant contributions in various roles, enhancing the team's overall performance. This versatility is crucial, as it allows the player to adapt to different game situations and be effective in multiple positions, whether it's scoring, rebounding, or assisting. For example, a center securing 15 rebounds while scoring 20 points helps the team's offense and controls the defensive end. Similarly, a point guard with 12 assists and 15 points demonstrates playmaking skills that elevate the performance of their teammates.
Achieving a double-double generally increases a player's value within the team, as it indicates their ability to contribute significantly in multiple areas, making them a more versatile and valuable asset to the team's strategy and success. Double-doubles are more common among positions like centers and power forwards, who are more likely to accumulate high numbers in points and rebounds. Point guards may also frequently achieve double-doubles in points and assists.
In the modern era, players like Russell Westbrook have expanded the definition of the double-double. While traditional power forwards and centers dominate in points and rebounds, Westbrook has become known for achieving double-doubles through points and assists. His aggressive playing style allows him to accumulate stats in multiple categories, making him one of the most versatile players in the league.
Double-doubles are also very valuable in fantasy basketball, as they indicate that a player is filling the stat sheet in multiple categories, which is extremely beneficial in both points leagues and nine-category leagues.
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The most common double-double combinations
A double-double in basketball is achieved when a player reaches double digits in two of the five main statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The most common double-double combinations are points and rebounds, and points and assists.
For players in power forward and center positions, the most common double-double combination is points and rebounds. San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan posted 841 points-and-rebounds double-doubles throughout his 19-year career, the most of any player since the 1983-84 season. Wilt Chamberlain is the overall career leader in this category with 968 double-doubles, although some consider Duncan the leader since all of his double-doubles occurred after the statistic became officially recognised by the NBA.
For guards, the most common double-double combination is points and assists. John Stockton leads the points-assists combination with 714 double-doubles since the 1983-84 season. Smaller players may also achieve double-doubles by combining points with steals.
Double-doubles are valuable in fantasy basketball, as they indicate a player's versatility and ability to fill multiple categories. They are also more common now due to the increased pace of the standard NBA game and the use of team-oriented offences, which allow more players to score rebounds.
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Mark Eaton holds the record for most career double-doubles with blocks
In basketball, a double-double is achieved when a player reaches double figures (at least 10) in two of the five main statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. A player can record a double-double without scoring 10 points as long as they reach double figures in two of the other five stat categories.
Mark Eaton, a former American professional basketball player, holds the record for the most career double-doubles with blocks. Eaton spent his entire 11-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz, from 1982 to 1993. Standing at 7 feet 4 inches tall, he became one of the best defensive centers in NBA history. Eaton was known for his shot-blocking abilities and led the league in blocks multiple times. He holds the NBA single-season records for blocks (456) and blocked shots per game average (5.6). Throughout his career, he blocked a total of 3,064 shots, ranking second all-time in league history in total blocked shots when he retired.
Eaton's impressive defensive skills were a major factor in the Utah Jazz's success. In addition to his blocking prowess, he also contributed with rebounds and occasional "tippy toe" dunks. Eaton was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice, in 1985 and 1989, and was a five-time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team. His impact on the court was recognized by the Jazz, who retired his jersey number 53.
Eaton's record for the most career double-doubles with blocks stands at 14. This achievement, along with his other defensive records, cements his legacy as one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history.
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The evolution of the double-double
The double-double in basketball is a statistical achievement where a player records double-digit numbers (10 or more) in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots. The term "double-double" was coined by former NBA player John Shedd in the 1980s, allegedly inspired by the "Double-Double" burger at In-N-Out. While it gained popularity in the 1980s, the concept of double-doubles has been around since the early days of basketball, showcasing a player's versatility and value.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Wilt Chamberlain dominated the game with an unprecedented streak of double-doubles, setting records that still stand today. However, during this era, individual statistics were not as heavily emphasized, and the sport focused more on team success. It wasn't until the 1980s that the double-double became a popular metric for evaluating players' performances.
Moving into the 1980s and 1990s, Magic Johnson and John Stockton redefined double-doubles by emphasizing assists, highlighting the importance of playmaking. This era saw the double-double gain recognition as a key performance indicator in both professional and amateur basketball, with coaches and analysts using it to assess players' contributions beyond basic scoring.
In the 2000s, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett showcased the consistency of double-doubles, proving that they could define a player's legacy over a long career. Duncan, in particular, became known as the most prolific double-double getter of the modern era, recording 841 double-doubles throughout his 19-year career.
By the 2010s, Russell Westbrook popularized triple-doubles (double-digits in three statistical categories), but his consistent double-double performances also emphasized the importance of rebounding and playmaking for guards. Today, with the rise of analytics and positionless basketball, achieving a double-double is considered a mark of a well-rounded player, regardless of position. While it is a challenging feat, players continue to chase these milestones, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.
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Double-doubles in fantasy basketball
In basketball, a double-double is a single-game performance in which a player accumulates double-digit totals in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The term was coined by former NBA player John Shedd in the 1980s.
Double-doubles are very valuable in fantasy basketball. This is because they indicate that a player is filling the stat sheet in multiple categories, which is beneficial in both points leagues and nine-category leagues. For instance, in the 2023-2024 NBA season, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis led the NBA in double-doubles with 77. Sabonis averaged 19.4 points and 13.7 rebounds per game.
Some players are known for regularly achieving double-doubles, with some even making a career out of being prolific double-double machines. For example, San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan posted 841 double-doubles throughout his 19-year career. He leads the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the points–rebounds combination.
When building a fantasy basketball team, it is important to consider players who are known for achieving double-doubles. For instance, Enes Kanter has averaged 10+ points and 9+ rebounds per game throughout his career. Before a hip injury, he was a good option for a fantasy basketball team, especially given his young age of 27.
There are many platforms available for starting a fantasy basketball league. Sleeper is one such platform, offering exclusive features like Lock-In mode, Game-Pick mode, voice and text chat, custom scoring, in-depth notes for research, custom playoff settings, multi-team trades, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
A double-double in basketball is when a player accumulates a double-digit number total in two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
The term "double-double" is usually not punctuated in basketball. It is written as two words, with each word beginning with a capital letter, and there is no hyphen or space between them.
An example of a double-double in basketball would be a player scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds in a single game.
Double-doubles are not very rare in the NBA. During the 2008-09 season, 69 players recorded at least 10 double-doubles.
