What is a double-double in basketball?

The double-double is a common stat line that a player can put up. What does it mean and who has the most in NBA history?

The double-double is very similar to seeing deer — it is a common sight to come across but always a pleasure to watch everything unfold.

The double-double is pretty common compared to its counterpart the triple-double. A double-double can be achieved by almost any player during any given game. For certain players, it comes across quite easily and for others, it may take the whole game to finally achieve it.

What is a double-double?

In a basketball game, a double-double is when a player has double-digits (at least 10) in two out of the five major statistical categories — points, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks. A triple-double occurs when a player has three out of the five categories in double digits.

The most common way a player achieves a double-double is by getting at least 10 points and 10 rebounds, the second most common way is with at least 10 points and 10 assists.

How common is the double-double and has anyone averaged one?

The double-double is an extremely common stat line. The NBA had 2,162 double-doubles with 262 different players achieving at least one double-double throughout the 2022-23 season.

Even though it is still a common stat line to put up, only so many players are able to average a double-double throughout an entire NBA season. Last season there were 15 players to average a double-double with 12 out of the 15 being centers. The other three were Trae Young, James Harden, and Tyrese Haliburton, who did it with assists.

Who has the most double-doubles?

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that the player who has had the most double-doubles throughout their career was Wilt Chamberlain, who is the biggest statistical anomaly in the history of sports. Despite being so statistically dominant, there are plenty of players who have other double-double records.

Most double-doubles in an NBA season

1. Hakeem Olajuwon — 72 (1992-93)
2. Kevin Garnett — 71 (2003-04)
3. Andre Drummond — 69 (2018-19)
4. Dwight Howard — 69 (2007-08)
5. Kevin Garnett — 69 (2004-05)
6. John Stockton — 69 (1991-92)

Most double-doubles in an NBA career

1. Wilt Chamberlain — 968
2. Moses Malone — 894
3. Elvin Hayes — 890
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — 885
5. Tim Duncan — 841