Who has the most championships in the nba

Even the best players in the NBA struggle to earn championship rings. It’s not just about the individual. Winning the NBA Final is a team effort, so winning multiples can be extremely difficult. Of this list of players who’ve won the most rings, the majority were part of the Boston Celtics. The others were Lakers, the two teams who’ve won the most rings (tied at 17).

The Celtics made it to the NBA finals for the first time since 2010 this season, after a hard-fought battle against the Miami Heat in Game 7. But they were unable to add to their ring tally as the Warriors prevailed in Game 6 of the Finals.

Right now, the current active player with the most championships in the NBA is LeBron James, with four rings - two with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and one with the LA Lakers. He’s made it to the finals 11 times, but only won four, proving just how difficult winning that title really is.

Keeping in mind all of that, let’s take a look at the NBA players with the most rings to their name.

Bill Russell: 11 NBA Championships

The Boston Celtics team of the 1960s was historic. Bill Russell led them to the finals 12 times in 13 years and won 11 of those titles. He was an important shot blocker and defender who impacted the team more than anyone else. Though he wasn’t the greatest scorer of all time, he was able to get the rebounds and though his stats aren’t impressive on the surface, he contributed a lot to his team’s successes.

Sam Jones: 10 NBA Championships

Sam Jones was also a member of the legendary Celtics team of the 60s. He completed his entire 12-year career with the team and won 10 rings during that time in 11 finals. He was one of the leading scorers every single year, and even more importantly, he was the closer. A clutch performer, Jones is regarded as one of the best shooting guards of all time.

Tom Heinsohn, K.C. Jones, Tom Sanders, John Havlicek: 8 NBA Championships

This group was also a part of the successful Celtics, earning eight rings during their time with the team. Heinsohn was a forward who contributed immediately after being drafted. He was a high scorer who earned double figures during all nine years of his NBA career. Havlicek was THE leading scorer for the Celtics…of all time. He played as forward and guard and it was that versatility that made him so valuable to the team. In fact, it’s his steal to clinch the series against the Sixers in the 70s which is regarded as one of the greatest moments in NBA history.

Jones was one of those players whose stats don’t look impressive from the outside, but still contributed enough on offense and defense to win eight rings in nine seasons. Tom “Satch” Sanders was with the Celtics for 13 seasons, and was known for his defense and rebounds. His stats don’t come close to telling the story of how he contributed to that team.

Jim Loscutoff, Frank Ramsey, Robert Horry: 7 NBA Championships

Lostcutoff was the Celtics’ top draft pick in 1955 and he proved himself worthy of that spot. He wasn’t the best scorer of all time, but he was an excellent rebounder. He took the team to seven championships in nine years. Ramsey was a clutch performer who played amongst other star players and still managed to average 13 and five throughout his career. Horry individually isn’t that impressive, but he was part of several all-star teams.

In 1994 and 1995, he played for the Houston Rockets, and earned two championships with them. Then, in the 2000s, he was part of the Lakers team led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. That’s not all. He then went on to play for the San Antonio Spurs to finish off his NBA career with another two championship titles.

Bob Cousey, Kareem Abdul-Jabarr, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippin: 6 NBA Championships

Bob Cousy was one of the best players for the Boston Celtics in the 50s and 60s. He was a revolutionary ball handler and passer and one of the best playmakers in the history of the league. He led the league in assists for eight consecutive seasons and was a huge difference maker, helping the Celtics to six championships. Kareem Abdul-Jabarr finished his NBA career with the most points, most block shots, most MVPs, and most All-Star selections of all time.

He played a whopping 20 seasons in the NBA, not retiring until 42 years old. He won with the Bucks in the early 1970s and the Lakers in the 1980s, dominating in both decades. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippin are one of the greatest duos in NBA history, winning six titles over eight years. During those years, they never had to compete in a Game 7, dominating the whole way through.

As the good old saying goes, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” In the NBA, winning a championship is considered the epitome of success. It cements the legacies of the team and players. Throughout the history of the NBA, we’ve had both players and teams who have won the championship or been on the winning team multiple times, due to their vitality and a host of basketball skills. Well, who are these players? This article will list NBA players with the most rings or championship titles.

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Who has the most championships in the nba
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When discussing teams with the most championship titles in the NBA, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are tying at the top. Team members that have played for the two teams at various times in history are some of the NBA players with the most rings. So, stick around to find out who these players are and much more.

Who are the NBA Players with the most rings?

Based on the most updated publications, below are the NBA players who have cemented their legacy and are renowned for having many championship rings.

13. Scottie Pippen-6 rings

Credited together with Michael Jordan for playing an essential role in transforming the NBA and popularising it across the world in the 1990s. Scottie Pippen is usually mentioned as the greatest small forward of all time.

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Who has the most championships in the nba
Scottie Pippen was one of the Franchise players of the Chicago Bulls from the 1990s Era. Photo: Focus on Sport, Noam Galai (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He had an NBA career lasting 17 seasons, including 11 seasons for Chicago Bulls, winning six championship titles.

12. Michael Jordan-6 rings

“Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time,” according to the NBA’s website. He was integral in popularising basketball worldwide, in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a global cultural icon.

Who has the most championships in the nba
In the NBA, it doesn't get bigger than Michael Jordan. He is considered the greatest of all time, in the league. Photo: Andy Lyons, Tim Nwachukwu (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He played 15 seasons in the NBA, and 13 of those were with the Chicago Bulls, where he won six championship titles.

11. Kareem Abdul Jabbar- 6 rings

Kareem has arguably one of the greatest resumes in NBA history. Some basketball purists tout him as the greatest in the league’s history in favor of Michael Jordan or Lebron James.

Who has the most championships in the nba
Kareem Abdul Jabbar is considered one of the top five ballers in NBA history. Photo: Focus on Sport, Leon Bennett (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He had a 21-seasons career as a player in the NBA, playing for two teams. For the Milwaukee Bucks, he played for five seasons, winning the championship ring once, and at LA Lakers for 16 seasons, winning five championships.

10. Bob Cousy- 6 rings

Nicknamed “the Houdini of the Hardwood,” Robert Joseph Cousy is one of the pioneering stars in the NBA and one of the greatest point guards and playmakers.

Who has the most championships in the nba
Bob Cousy is considered one of the greatest point guards of all time. Photo: Mark Wilson (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He played for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963, where he won the NBA championship six times.

9. Robert Horry-7 rings

Some basketball purists usually call Horry the luckiest athlete in NBA history because he is one of the only four players to have won the NBA championship with three teams. Yet, he is nowhere featured in the MVP or All-star list, nor was he a franchise player. This is not to slander him; Horry is such an excellent player, and he deserves every ring that he’s won.

Who has the most championships in the nba
Robert Horry is one of only four players in NBA history to win a championship with three teams. Photo: Tibrina Hobson, Sporting News (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He played in the NBA for 16 seasons, winning two championships with the Houston Rockets, three championships with the LA Lakers, and two titles with the San Antonio Spurs.

8. Frank Ramsey-7 rings

Who has the most championships in the nba
Frank Ramsey sits on the bench during Game Three of the 1962 NBA Eastern sector championship series against the Philadelphia Warriors. Photo: The Boston Globe
Source: Getty Images

Frank is one of the stars who played a significant role in the early days of establishing the Boston Celtics' dominance in the NBA. He played as a point guard in his entire 9 years of NBA career for the club, and was part of the team that won seven championships.

7. Jim Loscutoff- 7 rings

Jim is always known as one of the toughest players in NBA history. But, like Frank, who we previously discussed, he was also an instrumental player during the days Boston Celtics established dominance in the NBA. He also had a nine-year career and was part of the team that won seven NBA titles.

Who has the most championships in the nba
Jim Loscutoff (number 18) jumps for a loose ball up against Joe Graboski ( number 9), during the Boston Celtics against Philadelphia match. Photo: Bettemann
Source: Getty Images

6. John Havlicek-8 rings

“Havlicek stole the ball,” a quote by broadcaster Johnny Most, is the most famous radio call in basketball history. John was known for his workhorse and incredible stamina and is one the most clutch performers the NBA has ever seen. He is also considered one of the most impactful athletes in NBA history.

Who has the most championships in the nba
John Havlicek was one the best clutch performers the NBA has ever seen. Photo: Focus on Sport, Mike Lawrie(modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He spent his entire 16-season NBA career with the Boston Celtics and won eight championships with the team.

5. Satch Sanders- 8 rings

Known primarily for his works outside the pitch, Thomas Ernest Sanders, otherwise called Satch Sanders, wasn’t your typical star, but was instead an excellent team member of the Boston Celtics. He has been applauded by most of his former teammates for being one of the best defensive forwards in the league.

Who has the most championships in the nba
Satch Sander is considered to be one of the greatest defenders in NBA history. Photo: Jim Davis, The Boston Globe (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He had a career lasting 13 seasons in the NBA, all of which he was with the Boston Celtics, and won eight championship titles.

4. KC Jones – 8 rings

Jones wasn’t flashy in any way, and during his playing days, he mainly was overshadowed by more glamourous teammates, but KC, whose initials are his real name, is a true representation of success. He started his NBA career as a player and later became a successful coach.

Who has the most championships in the nba
Jones is one of the few players who successfully transitioned from playing to coaching, and excelled at the latter. Photo: Focus on Sport, Clarence Gatson (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

He served nine years in the NBA as a player for the Boston Celtics, winning eight championship titles, and once he retired, he made a successful transition into coaching, winning three titles, one as an assistant coach and two as a head coach.

3. Tom Heinsohn- 8 rings

Given the nickname “Mr. Celtics,” Tom spent close to seven decades with the Boston Celtics as a player, broadcaster, and coach. He served for nine seasons on the team and was part of its squad that won eight championship titles. While as a coach, he served the club for 9 years and won two titles.

Who has the most championships in the nba
Tom Heinsohn was mostly known for this commentary role later on in life. Photo: Mike Lawrie, Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

2. Sam Jones-10 rings

Sam Jones was one the best clutch scorers the NBA has ever seen, with his signature bank shots, hallmarks of every game, and a source of anticipation for every fan. He played for the Boston Celtics during their dynasty years and was part of each Celtics squad that won the NBA Championship for eight years in a row.

Who has the most championships in the nba
Sam Jones is one of the franchise players that saw the Boston Celtics through its dynasty years. Photo: Cliff Welch/, Michael Tullberg (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

His NBA career as a player lasted twelve seasons with the Celtics and won ten championship titles.

1. Bill Russell-11 rings

Bill Russell is the greatest winner in American sports history. He revolutionized the game and brought new rules and moves with his defense mastery as the anchor of the Boston Celtics Dynasty.

Who has the most championships in the nba
No other sportsman has won as many championship titles as Bill Russell has in American NBA history. Photo: Ethan Miller, Rolls Press (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Russell is currently the all-time leader in NBA championship rings. He Garnered eleven rings in the thirteen seasons he played for the Boston Celtics.

This 5-time MVP and 12 times All-Star is usually considered the greatest basketball player of all time due to his championship rings. However, this title elicits fierce debate amongst basketball purists who tend to differ and point out that the title belongs to Michael Jordan.

Who are the current NBA players with the most rings?

Below is a compilation list of active players with the most rings:

  • LeBron James-4 rings
  • Patrick McCaw-3 rings
  • Draymond Green-3 rings
  • Klay Thompson- 3 rings
  • Stephen Curry- 3 rings
  • Danny Green- 3 rings
  • JaVale McGee- 3 rings
  • Andre Iguodala- 3 rings
  • Udonis Haslem- 3 rings
  • Chris Boucher- 2 rings

Which coaches in the NBA have the most rings?

The NBA has had its fair share of coaches throughout its history. But the ones named below are considered the greatest due to their legacies of winning championships. They are:

  • Phil Jackson- 11 rings
  • Red Auerbach-9 rings
  • John Kundla- 5 rings
  • Pat Riley- 5 rings
  • Gregg Popovich- 5 rings

Who is the worst NBA player with the most rings?

With two championship rings under his name, DJ Mbenga is considered the worst player in the NBA league, with the most rings.

That concludes our pick in the list of NBA players with the most rings. I hope you now know something about your favorite NBA player from this article. Also, what are some of the best moments in the championship you remember about any of the above-listed players or coaches? Let us know in the comment section.

READ ALSO: Ranked! Who are the best NBA players without rings?

Sportbrief.com recently did an article ranking some of the best NBA players who have not been successful at winning championship titles despite being exceptional players.

Being a ringless NBA superstar can have a detrimental effect on your career and legacy. So, who are the best NBA players without rings? Find out who they are here.

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Source: SportsBrief.com