Ayrton Oneill
A quadruple-double in basketball is a rare feat where a player achieves double-digit figures in four of the five major statistical categories in a single game. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Since the 1973-74 season, when the NBA started keeping track of these categories, there have only been four official quadruple-doubles recorded in NBA history. The last one was achieved by David Robinson in 1994 while playing for the Spurs, with 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times achieved in NBA history | 4 |
| Number of players to have achieved it | 4 |
| First player to record it | Nate Thurmond |
| Last player to record it | David Robinson |
| Year of the last record | 1994 |
| Number of blocks by a player to get closest to a quadruple-double recently | 9 |
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What You'll Learn
Quadruple-double requirements
A quadruple-double is a rare feat in basketball, requiring a player to accumulate 10 or more in four out of five major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This means that a player must reach double digits in four of these categories during a single game.
To achieve a quadruple-double, a player must demonstrate a combination of offensive and defensive mastery on the court. While it is common for players to excel in points, rebounds, and assists, the defensive aspects, such as steals and blocks, are what make the quadruple-double so challenging.
Only four players in NBA history have officially recorded a quadruple-double:
- Nate Thurmond
- Alvin Robertson
- Hakeem Olajuwon
- David Robinson
Nate Thurmond was the first player to achieve this remarkable feat, and he did so with a stat line of 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals. Alvin Robertson, one of the league's best defenders, recorded his quadruple-double with steals instead of blocks, showcasing his defensive prowess. Hakeem Olajuwon became the third player to join this elite group, dominating with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists. The fourth and most recent player to accomplish a quadruple-double was David Robinson, who achieved this feat in 1994.
The quadruple-double is an incredibly challenging achievement in basketball, demanding a player to be well-rounded and dominant on both ends of the court. It requires a unique blend of skills, including offensive prowess, defensive expertise, and the ability to contribute to their team's success through assists and rebounds.
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Players who have achieved it
A quadruple-double is one of the rarest achievements in basketball, with only four players having officially achieved this feat in NBA history. The achievement occurs when a player records 10 or more in any four of the five major statistical categories: points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks.
The first NBA player to record a quadruple-double was Nate Thurmond. In a 120-115 overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks, he recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals.
Alvin Robertson, a guard for the San Antonio Spurs, is the second player to achieve this feat. He recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists in a 120-114 win against the Phoenix Suns.
Hakeem Olajuwon, a center for the Houston Rockets, became the third player to record a quadruple-double. In a 120-94 win against the Milwaukee Bucks, he recorded the same stats as Robertson: 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists.
David Robinson, playing for the San Antonio Spurs, is the fourth and most recent player to achieve a quadruple-double. In a 115-96 win against the Detroit Pistons, he recorded 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks. This occurred during the 1993-94 NBA season, with the last quadruple-double taking place over 31 years ago.
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How rare is it?
A quadruple-double is an extremely rare achievement in basketball, occurring when a player reaches double digits in four of the five major statistical categories in a single game: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This feat is so uncommon because it requires a player to excel in multiple aspects of the game and have an exceptional all-around performance.
As of the 2020-21 NBA season, there have only been four official quadruple-doubles recorded in the history of the league, spanning more than seven decades. The first official quadruple-double was achieved by Nate Thurmond of the Chicago Bulls in 1974, and the other three were accomplished by Alvin Robertson in 1986, Hakeem Olajuwon in 1990, and David Robinson in 1994. This averages out to one official quadruple-double every seven years in a league with approximately 1,230 games played per season. When compared to the frequency of other achievements, such as double-doubles or triple-doubles, the rarity of quadruple-doubles becomes even more apparent.
While the official quadruple-doubles are sparse, there have been a handful of players who have come very close to achieving this feat. There have been several reported unofficial quadruple-doubles, where the player fell short in one category by a single statistic. For example, in 1968, Wilt Chamberlain recorded 22 points, 25 rebounds, 14 assists, and 11 blocks but fell short in steals. Similarly, in 2018, Ben Simmons recorded 13 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists, and 5 steals but only managed 7 blocks. These near misses further highlight the challenge of attaining a quadruple-double.
The rarity of the quadruple-double is also evident when comparing it to the more common triple-double. In recent years, triple-doubles have become more frequent, with players like Russell Westbrook and LeBron James achieving them multiple times in a season. However, even the most accomplished triple-double leaders in NBA history, such as Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson, never recorded a quadruple-double in their careers. This demonstrates the significant leap in difficulty between a triple-double and a quadruple-double.
The rules and style of play in the NBA have also evolved over time, impacting the likelihood of achieving a quadruple-double. The game has shifted towards a more fast-paced, high-scoring style, which can make it challenging for players to accumulate high numbers in defensive categories like steals and blocks. Additionally, the value of assists has increased, but the focus on individual scoring may make it harder for players to balance their point totals with other statistics.
In conclusion, the quadruple-double is an incredibly rare feat in basketball that requires an extraordinary all-around performance. The official records and near misses of this achievement showcase the challenge of mastering four statistical categories in a single game. The evolution of the game and the shift in playing styles further contribute to the rarity of the quadruple-double. For these reasons, the quadruple-double remains an elusive milestone in the world of basketball.
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Triple-doubles
A triple-double in basketball is when a player reaches double figures in three of the five main statistical categories in a single game. The five main statistical categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This means that a triple-double can be achieved in a number of ways, for example, a player could score 10 points, make 10 rebounds, and record 10 assists.
In addition to triple-doubles, there are also double-doubles, which are achieved when a player reaches double figures in two of the five main statistical categories. Double-doubles are more common than triple-doubles, and both are precursors to the extremely rare quadruple-double.
Understanding the significance of a quadruple-double requires first understanding the triple-double. While triple-doubles are impressive, they are not as rare as quadruple-doubles, which require an even higher level of skill and performance.
Only four players in NBA history have achieved a quadruple-double, and none have done so since 1994. As such, the quadruple-double remains one of basketball's rarest statistical feats.
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Double-doubles
A double-double in basketball refers to a player achieving a double-digit figure in two of the five major statistical categories in a single game. These categories are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. For example, a player who scores 10 points and 12 rebounds has achieved a double-double.
Understanding double-doubles is crucial to comprehending the more rare and impressive triple-doubles and quadruple-doubles. A triple-double occurs when a player reaches double digits in three of the five major statistical categories, while a quadruple-double is achieving double digits in four of these categories.
The five statistical categories provide a comprehensive evaluation of a player's performance, encompassing their offensive and defensive contributions. Points refer to the number of baskets scored, rebounds are the recovery of missed shots, assists are passes that lead to a basket, steals are taking possession of the ball from an opponent, and blocks are defending shots near the basket.
The focus on double-digit achievements is an intriguing aspect of basketball statistics. The number 10 holds a certain appeal, and achieving milestones or multiples of ten is often seen as more remarkable. This fascination with specific numbers adds another layer to the world of sports statistics and the pursuit of impressive performances.
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Frequently asked questions
A quadruple double is achieved when a player reaches double digits in four of the five major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Only four players in NBA history have officially recorded quadruple doubles. These are Nate Thurmond (1974), Alvin Robertson (1986), Hakeem Olajuwon (1990) and David Robinson (1994).
In 2024, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama recorded 23 points, 15 rebounds, 9 blocks and 8 assists in a game. He needed just two more assists and two more blocks to achieve a quadruple double.
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