A good shot blocker changes the way their entire team defends, striking fear in opposing players around the rim.
These big men did this at the highest level, contributing greatly to the overall success many of their teams enjoyed.
While many of the great post players in NBA history are on this list, you’ll notice that all players come from a certain era of basketball. The NBA didn’t begin to track blocks until the beginning of the 1973-74 season, so some of the games greatest defensive big men, like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, are not in the blocks record book.
The emphasis on 3-point shooting in the modern game has spaced the floor, making it difficult for current big men to accumulate the same block totals. That’s why no active player is higher than 20th on the all-time list.
Let’s take a look at the players with the most blocks of all time.
1. Hakeem Olajuwon – 3,830
Olajuwon’s exceptional timing, footwork, and court awareness helped him become one of the NBA’s greatest players ever on both ends of the floor.
His rim protecting abilities propelled him to two NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards and helped the Houston Rockets to two NBA titles.
2. Dikembe Motumbo – 3,289
When many NBA fans think of a shot blocker, they picture Motumbo and his finger-wag celebration. This is for good reason, as Motumbo was a defensive powerhouse for the Denver Nuggets, winning four Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 3,189
Often recognized for his capabilities on the offensive end and his patented sky hook, Abdul-Jabbar’s incredible shot-blocking ability was vital to the success of his Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers teams.
4. Mark Eaton – 3,064
With the fewest career games played of any player on this list, Eaton’s career average of 3.5 blocks per game is the highest in NBA history. The 7-foot-4 big man’s 5.56 blocks per game in the 1984-85 season also remains the highest single-season average in history.
5. Tim Duncan – 3,020
Duncan is another all-time great known for his capabilities on both ends of the floor. His intelligent positioning set him up for success on the defensive end where he was nominated for a record 15 NBA All-Defensive teams, with eight First Team nominations.
6. David Robinson – 2,954
Robinson utilized his athleticism to amass his block total the way his San Antonio Spurs teammate Tim Duncan used his intelligence. Robinson remarkably averaged over 3.0 blocks per game in each of his first seven NBA seasons.
7. Patrick Ewing – 2,894
Ewing was a force in the paint on both ends of the floor, anchoring the defense of his New York Knicks teams throughout his career.
8. Shaquille O’Neal – 2,732
O’Neal was a rare blend of size and incredible athleticism and a force on both ends. As a player primarily known for physical play, O’Neal’s place on this list demonstrates why he is viewed as one of the greatest players of all time.
9. Tree Rollins – 2,542
Rollins was a consistent force in the paint, altering or blocking numerous shots each game. He was especially dominant during his time with the Atlanta Hawks, where he had nine seasons averaging at least 2.3 blocks per game.
10. Robert Parish – 2,361
Parish was a force in the paint throughout his 21-year career, anchoring the defense that helped the Celtics win multiple titles in the 1980s.
Enjoy this? Check out our NBA, NFL, college basketball, FBS and FCS coverage. And follow along on Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and X for more.
