In NBA history, certain players have stood out not just for their talent but also for their unique combination of skills, physique, and attributes. These players are often referred to as "unicorns," as the term was coined to describe generational athletes.
On this list, we'll get to know some of the most notable NBA players who were and are labeled as unicorns.
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain was truly a one-of-a-kind player during his era. Standing at an impressive 7 feet 1 inch tall, Chamberlain dominated the court like no other player at the time. His towering presence intimidated his rivals, and his incredible athleticism mesmerized hoops fans.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Wilt's game was his scoring ability. Known for his exceptional scoring prowess, "The Big Dipper" holds numerous records that still stand today, including scoring 100 points and 55 rebounds in a single game and averaging a career of 22.9 rebounds and 50.4 points per game in a season.
The above numbers alone were already more than enough to consider Chamberlain a unicorn as it's very unlikely that any player in today's game will ever break those records. Apart from that, Chamberlain's rebounding skills were equally impressive. His strength and agility allowed him to outmuscle his opponents easily season after season.
Besides basketball, Wilt also excelled in track and field and volleyball. For that, he was widely regarded as the ultimate athlete, which only served as an additional testament to his unicorn status. Chamberlain's attributes were so out-of-this-world that Rasheed Wallace once called him an "alien ."
" Alien! You talkin about the quadruple-double? He's the only NBA player that is in the collegiate Hall of Fame of two sports - basketball and volleyball, " Sheed once said. "He might've been an alien. He was a phenomenal athlete; you talkin' about a guy back then with a lot of the talents that a lot of the bigs have today as far as their athleticism… you know how they say in Men in Black, 'Everybody's a weirdo,' but he's an alien."
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Unlike other unicorns, Giannis Antetokounmpo did not strike the NBA as a one-in-a-lifetime player right from the jump. However, "The Greek Freak" swept the whole basketball world away once he hit his stride in the NBA.
One of the most striking aspects of Giannis's game is his incredible versatility on the court. He has the height of a center but moves and handles the ball like a guard. His rare blend of size and athleticism allows him to play multiple positions and dominate in various categories.
Antetokounmpo's unconventional and unpredictable playing style makes him a nightmare for opposing teams. He is able to utilize his insanely lengthy arms and legs to his advantage, swatting the ball away on the defensive end and driving the crowd crazy with his otherworldly dunks.
Another key factor that sets Giannis apart is his work ethic and dedication to improving his skills. His humility and commitment to getting better every day, both physically and mentally, have propelled him to the top and to an NBA championship. Moreover, it's a trait that fans don't often see in a celebrated NBA superstar.
"He ended up improving his game and his shot to the point where the free throws helped them win the championship. Tells me a lot about this man's mental capacity and his work ethic and discipline. Now he's shooting at three with confidence. And I know we are excited about so many players in the league but Giannis is the best player in basketball," Jalen Rose once said of Giannis.
Kevin Durant
Many have already anticipated Kevin Durant's rise to superstardom even before he made his NBA debut simply because of his unconventional physique yet incredible game. Despite having a lanky frame, KD was relentless on the offensive end.
At 6-foot-11 with a wingspan of a seven-footer, Durant makes good use of his length advantage, posting up and shooting over shorter defenders without breaking a sweat. His silky-smooth shooting has become one of the most unstoppable plays in his generation.
Durant's ability to effortlessly sink clutch three-pointers and go strong to the basket with finesse made him a constant threat to the opposing team. KD is already regarded as one of the greatest scorers in the game but he will undeniably go down in NBA history as one of the best unicorns of all time as well.
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson may have been hailed by many as the greatest point guard to ever grace NBA hardwood, but back then, he was considered a unicorn too. As most fans have witnessed, Johnson was the ultimate "point god," having demonstrated everything that defines a great playmaker. However, he wasn't like any other point guard, as Magic stands at 6-foot-9.
Throughout his legendary NBA career, Johnson played a position traditionally reserved for little men, but he impacted and dominated the game as an all-around player. For his size, Magic was unbelievably finesse. His ball-handling ability and court vision were also beyond compare.
In addition, Magic was a highly intelligent player. His brilliance, along with his physical attributes, allowed him to control the game. Johnson also drew fans from all over the world with his flashy passes, which drove the crowd into a frenzy.
Off the court, Magic's charismatic personality and celebrity status endeared him to fans from all walks of life. Today, he is not just known as a basketball legend but a cultural icon who transcended the sport. That said, there's no doubt Magic ticked all the boxes to earn the title of an NBA unicorn.
Nikola Jokic
Hailing from Serbia, Nikola Jokic brought his eccentric basketball arsenal into the NBA. At first glance, Jokic may appear to be just another big European man, but "Joker" is not your typical NBA center.
Unlike other bigs, Jokic doesn't usually bulldoze his way to the basket down low. However, he has gained notoriety as a scoring threat from anywhere on the court. His outside shooting has been remarkable for a player of his size, having been able to knock down three-pointers with such impressive consistency.
While a center with a soft touch is not new in the NBA, his court vision and playmaking skills are what separates Jokic from the pack. Despite being the big man, "Joker" can thread the needle with precision passes, setting up his teammates for easy baskets and creating scoring opportunities out of thin air. By showcasing his exceptional passing ability, he earned the label "point center."
Atop the above attributes, "Joker" is also a genius on the floor. He could pull off smart plays that the opposing team would have never anticipated. With that in mind, it's no surprise Jokic has been the driving force of the current Denver Nuggets team.
NBA legend Reggie Miller was one of the many who viewed Jokic as "different ." For Uncle Reg, he'd rather pick "Joker" over another multi-talented player in Luka Doncic.
"I would take Jokic, especially for my skill set," the Hall of Famer said. "I'm gonna put myself like who could I benefit from and play with the most. And it definitely would be Jokic, the way he passes and can score. He's so unselfish. Not that Luka isn't very unselfish as well, but Jokic is just a different breed. He's just different."
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki made a name for himself in the NBA for his lethal shooting and nearly unstoppable signature fadeaway jumper. However, that didn't sum up the legacy of "German Jesus."
In today's game, the NBA has been plagued with bigs who fire from all cylinders. However, it was Nowitzki who revolutionized the power forward position. Dirk is remembered for being one of the first big men to consistently shoot from long range, paving the way for the modern stretch-four in the NBA.
Throughout his illustrious NBA career, Nowitzki proved he was the epitome of a true team player. Many may have overlooked it but Dirk's work ethic, dedication, and humble personality have added glitter to his already shimmering legacy. Indeed, it's safe to say Nowitzki is one of the first notable NBA unicorns.
Victor Wembanyama
While it's too early to conclude, San Antonio Spurs rising star Victor Wembanyama already deserves a spot on this list after showing off his potential as a player. Standing tall at 7-foot-4, Wemby has been making waves in the league with his knack for scoring and shot-blocking.
As early as now, Wembanyama has earned a reputation as one of the most promising talents in the game after capping off his rookie season with flying colors. In his first 71 games in the league, Wemby averaged a remarkable tally of 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 blocks per game to cop the well-deserved NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Kristaps Porzingis
Towering at 7-foot-2 and able to attack the rim, Kristaps Porzingis was already viewed as a unicorn early in his NBA career. Two distinctive aspects of Porzingis' skill set are his ball-handling skills and footwork, which are very important but not all seven-footers have in their game.
However, his overall game makes "KP6" arguably the most complete unicorn thus far. Though Porzingis isn't as explosive as Antetokounmpo or as dominant as Chamberlain, he possesses a great mix of everything in his arsenal.
" We knew that [Porzingis] had a lot of talent, " former New York Knicks executive Phil Jackson once remarked . "We saw that even in the workout with him shooting, and I had some fun with one of the Buss guys, and I told him after [our] workout, 'You guys are going to be sorry if you don't pick up Porzingis with the second pick.' They didn't, we did."
Porzingis is naturally a power forward/center, and it's no surprise that he has a couple of post moves in his bag. But aside from that, the Latvian sensation's mid and long-range shooting is also unreal. Defensively, Porzingis could block a few shots and make it difficult for offensive players to score using his size.
In addition to all that, "KP6" also proved that he has a high basketball IQ. He follows the playbook well and showcases his passing ability occasionally.
Yao Ming
Much like Wembanyama, Yao Ming left fans and spectators in awe of his height. At 7-foot-6, Yao's future as an NBA star was already expected. But unlike his predecessors such as Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan, "The Great Wall" had serious basketball skills that put him in the unicorn category.
For a foreign player, Yao's development was quick. He spent all his eight healthy seasons in the league as an All-Star due to his consistent high-level performances.
Yao wasn't only good for rebounding and blocking shots. Contrary to what many expected, "The Great Wall" didn't earn his points by effortlessly dipping the ball into the hoop. Instead, Yao demonstrated superb shooting and footwork. To top it off, Yao possessed a high basketball IQ for a big man as well.
Unfortunately, a foot injury cut short Yao's career. Nevertheless, he has already solidified his legacy as one of his era's rarest and most influential athletes.
"He was so knowledgeable of the history of basketball, and I think that's one of the things that never gets talked about, his IQ, because of his lower body wouldn't have went out, he'd probably be considered one of the greatest because he could play. He was very skilled, very smart, " former Houston Rockets forward Robert Horry once said of Yao .
In conclusion, these so-called unicorns in the NBA challenge traditional positions and redefine what it means to be a basketball player. They have the ability to impact the game in ways that few others can and push the boundaries of what is thought possible on NBA hardwood.
All told, those qualities made them both exciting to watch and easy to remember. As the game continues to evolve, it wouldn't be a shock to see another influx of players who fit the mold of the NBA unicorn in the future.
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