Double-double

Understanding Double-Doubles in Basketball

A double-double is a single-game performance with ten or more points and rebounds, or any two of five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.

The Significance of Double-Doubles

Imagine you’re playing basketball and you manage to score 10 points and grab 10 rebounds in a game. That’s a double-double! It’s not just about scoring; it’s about contributing in multiple ways, making the game more balanced and effective.

The Triple-Double: A Step Up

But what if you want to take your game to another level? A triple-double means accumulating ten or more points, rebounds, and assists. It’s like hitting a home run in baseball but doing it three times over! The term ‘triple-double’ became an officially recorded statistic in the NBA during the 1979–80 season.

Notable Performers

Tim Duncan, John Stockton, and Russell Westbrook lead the pack with their impressive double-doubles. Tim Duncan has 841 points-rebounds combinations, while John Stockton holds the record for points-assists at 714.

The Rarity of Quadruple-Doubles

A quadruple-double is a rare feat where a player accumulates ten or more in four out of five statistical categories. This is like hitting a home run, stealing a base, making an assist, and grabbing a rebound all in one game! Only four players have officially recorded a quadruple-double in NBA history.

Historical Highlights

Nate Thurmond was the first American male player above high school level to achieve this feat in 1974. Ann Meyers, playing for UCLA Bruins, became the first female player to do so in 1978.

Quintuple-Doubles: The Ultimate Challenge

A quintuple-double is even more rare, requiring a player to accumulate double-digits in all five statistical categories. There are only five known officially recorded quintuple-doubles, all done at the girls’ high-school level.

The First Quintuple-Double

Tamika Catchings of Duncanville High School achieved this feat with 25 points, 18 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 steals, and 10 blocks in 1997. The most recent was Kira Reynolds of South Bend Washington High School on January 6, 2025.

Five-by-Fives: A Balanced Performance

A five-by-five is a performance where a player accumulates a total of five in five statistical categories. Hakeem Olajuwon leads all players with six career five-by-fives, followed by Andrei Kirilenko and Victor Wembanyama.

Conclusion

The world of basketball is full of incredible performances, from the double-double to the quintuple-double. These achievements not only showcase a player’s skill but also their ability to contribute in multiple ways on the court. Whether you’re a fan or a player, striving for these milestones can truly elevate your game.

Condensed Infos to Double-double