In the world of professional basketball, the quadruple-double is a rare and impressive feat. A player must accumulate double-digit totals in four statistical categories—points, rebounds, assists, and blocks—in a single game. It’s an incredibly difficult accomplishment and one that has only been achieved by a handful of players in the history of the NBA.
History of the Quadruple-Double
The quadruple-double was first accomplished in the NBA by Alvin Robertson of the San Antonio Spurs on February 18, 1986. He scored 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 12 steals in a game against the Phoenix Suns. Since then, six other players have recorded a quadruple-double—Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shawn Kemp, Jason Kidd, Andrei Kirilenko, and Russell Westbrook.
The Players Who Have Achieved a Quadruple-Double
Alvin Robertson
Robertson was a guard for the Spurs from 1984 to 1989. He was known for his defensive prowess, leading the NBA in steals for three consecutive seasons (1985-86, 1986-87, and 1987-88). Robertson’s quadruple-double was the first in NBA history, and he remains the only player to record a quadruple-double with steals as the fourth category.
Hakeem Olajuwon
Olajuwon was a center for the Houston Rockets from 1984 to 2001. He was an 11-time All-Star and a two-time NBA champion. On March 29, 1990, Olajuwon became the second player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double, accumulating 18 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and 11 blocks in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
David Robinson
Robinson was a center for the Spurs from 1989 to 2003. He was an 8-time All-Star and a two-time NBA champion. On February 17, 1994, Robinson recorded the third quadruple-double in NBA history, scoring 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks in a game against the Detroit Pistons.
Shawn Kemp
Kemp was a power forward for the Seattle SuperSonics from 1989 to 1997. He was a 6-time All-Star and an All-NBA Second Team selection in 1995. On April 11, 1994, Kemp became the fourth player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double, tallying 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks in a game against the Golden State Warriors.
Jason Kidd
Kidd was a point guard for the Dallas Mavericks from 1994 to 1996, and again from 2008 to 2012. He was a 10-time All-Star, a 5-time All-NBA First Team selection, and the NBA’s co-Rookie of the Year in 1995. On April 11, 1995, Kidd recorded the fifth quadruple-double in NBA history, totaling 18 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Andrei Kirilenko
Kirilenko was a small forward for the Utah Jazz from 2001 to 2011. He was an All-Star in 2004 and an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2011. On January 8, 2001, Kirilenko became the sixth player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double, accumulating 21 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and 10 blocks in a game against the Denver Nuggets.
Russell Westbrook
Westbrook is a point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team he has been with since 2008. He is an 8-time All-Star, a 5-time All-NBA First Team selection, and the 2017 NBA MVP. On April 2, 2017, Westbrook became the seventh and most recent player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double, tallying 24 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 steals in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Conclusion
The quadruple-double is a rare feat that has only been accomplished seven times in the history of the NBA. Alvin Robertson was the first to achieve this feat in 1986, followed by Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Shawn Kemp, Jason Kidd, Andrei Kirilenko, and Russell Westbrook. While it may be a while before anyone else joins this exclusive club, it’s sure to be an incredible accomplishment when they do.