In the NBA, achieving a triple-double isn’t as rare as it used to be, but still quite a notable stat line that happens most-often with points, rebounds, and assists.  Can you imagine securing a triple-dub with 10 or more blocks is an extraordinary accomplishment. With Victor Wembanyama’s recent triple-double with 10+ blocks at a young age has brought this rare achievement into the spotlight. This rarest of feats not only highlight a player’s versatility in impacting the game, but also shifting NBA odds during a game as most of the time, they ended up in wins.

Let’s look at how many times this has happened in NBA history and the top five NBA players who have pulled it off the most.

Most Triple-Doubles With Blocks in NBA History

In all 76 years of the NBA’s existence… well since they started recording blocks in 1973-74 right as Wilt Chamberlain retired, a triple double including blocks as one of the categories has happened fewer than 75 times. We’re going to look at the five players that represent more than half of those occurrences.

5) Mark Eaton (5 triple doubles with blocks)

The Mountain Man Mark Eaton imposed a large shadow in the paint. At 7-4 and wide, Eaton achieved five triple-doubles with 10 or more blocks. His most memorable performance was on January 18, 1985, with 20 rebounds, a career-high 14 blocks, and 12 points. Eaton was also the Defensive Player of the Year that season and led the NBA with an average of 5.6 blocks per game. That 5.6 blocks per game average is still an NBA record for a season.

4) Shawn Bradley (6)

It’s a shame that we can’t have a serious conversation about Shawn Bradley. Forever known as a draft bust, Bradley in actuality carved out a nice NBA career. Among being one of the all-time leaders in blocks, the 7-6 center has recorded six triple-doubles that included at least double digit blocks. Five of these were with the New Jersey Nets between 1996 and 1997, and one with the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. His standout performance was on April 7, 1998, for the Mavericks, where he amassed 13 blocks, 22 points, and 22 rebounds.  Those 13 blocks? That’s a Dallas Mavericks record.

3) David Robinson (9)

David Robinson, the celebrated Spurs center, notched nine triple-doubles with 10+ blocks from 1990 to 1994. In two of these games, Robinson scored 43 points, including a game against the Orlando Magic on January 10, 1991, and another against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 9, 1993. Inclided in The Admiral’s triple double with blocks – a very rare quadruple double.

2) Dikembe Mutombo (10)

Perhaps no player in NBA history is more synonymous with the block than Dikembe Mutombo. While the 7’2″ star from Kinshasa, Congo isn’t the all-time leader or was known to block shots into the expensive seats, Mutombo’s blccks often kept the ball in play and his finger wag is a top 10 signature celebration in NBA history. Over his career, Mt. Mutombo’s timing and wingspan allowed him to post 10 triple-doubles with at least ten blocks.

Eight of these special triple dubs were with the Denver Nuggets between 1993 and 1995, and then one each for the Atlanta Hawks in 2000 and the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001. His career-high in blocks came with 12 blocks in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 18, 1993.

1) Hakeem Olajuwon (11)

Hakeem Olajuwon, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, snuck by Mutombo with eleven triple-doubles with 10+ blocks during his career with the Houston Rockets from 1986 to 1996. One of his most notable games was on November 11, 1989, when “The Dream” blocked 12 shot, alongside 24 points and 21 rebounds for one dominant triple double. Like Robinson, Olajuwon is one of four players in NBA history to pull off a quadruple double.

These NBA legends have not only placed their names in the history books for a defensive triple double, but also have had a significant impact on their teams and the dynamics of the games they played.