NBA players with the most rings as of 2023: most NBA championships

NBA players and fans consider winning an NBA championship the epitome of success. The victory cements the team and players' legacies. Throughout the history of the NBA, some outstanding players have consistently helped their teams win championships. Who are these players? This article lists NBA players with the most rings or championship titles.

Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are among the teams with the most NBA championship titles. Several NBA players with the most rings have played for these teams at different times in history. Find out more about these sports stars below.

Who are the NBA Players with the most rings?

NBA players cement their legacies by winning as many championship rings as possible. Check out the following legendary players' NBA rings list based on the most updated publication:

13. Scottie Pippen – 6 rings

• Full name: Scotty Maurice Pippen Sr.
• Birthday: 25 September 1965
• Birthplace: Hamburg, Arkansas, United States
• Age: 57 years (as of 2023)
• Jersey number: 33
• Position: Small forward
• NBA draft: 1987 (Round: 1 / Pick: 5)
• NBA seasons: 17
• Height: 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 2010

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Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen transformed the NBA in the 1990s. Scottie Pippen is usually mentioned as the greatest small forward of all time. He had an NBA career lasting 17 seasons, including 11 seasons for Chicago Bulls, winning six championship titles.

12. Michael Jordan – 6 rings

• Full name: Michael Jeffrey Jordan
• Birthday: 17 February 1963
• Birthplace: Cumberland Hospital, Fort Greene, Brooklyn, United States
• Age: 59 years (as of 2023)
• Jersey number: 23
• Position: Shooting guard
• NBA draft: 1984 (Round: 1 / Pick: 3)
• NBA seasons: 15
• Height: 6 feet 4¾ inches (194.9 cm)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 2009

According to the NBA’s website, this is the greatest basketball player of all time. He was a global cultural icon and integral in popularizing basketball worldwide in the 1980s and 1990s. Michael Jordan played 15 NBA seasons, and 13 of those were with the Chicago Bulls, where he won six championship titles.

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11. Kareem Abdul Jabbar – 6 rings

• Full name: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
• Birthday: 16 April 1947
• Birthplace: Harlem, New York, United States
• Age: 75 years (as of 2023)
• Jersey number: 33
• Position: Center
• NBA draft: 1969 (Round: 1 / Pick: 1‎)
• NBA seasons: 20
• Height: 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 1995

Kareem Abdul Jabbar 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. He played for two teams in his 21-NBA season career. Kareem won one championship ring in the five seasons he played for the Milwaukee Bucks and five for the 16 seasons he was at the LA Lakers.

10. Bob Cousy – 6 rings

• Full name: Robert Joseph Cousy
• Birthday: 9 August 1928
• Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
• Age: 52 years (as of October 2023)
• Jersey number: 14
• Position: Point guard
• NBA draft: 1950 (Round: 1 / Pick: 3)
• NBA seasons: 14
• Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 1971

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

9. Robert Horry – 7 rings

• Full name: Robert Keith Horry
• Birthday: 25 August 1970
• Birthplace: Harford County, Maryland, United States
• Age: 52 years (as of 2022)
• Jersey numbers: 25, 5
• Positions: Power forward, Small forward
• NBA draft: 1992 (Round: 1 / Pick: 11)
• NBA seasons: 16
• Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 2014

Some basketball purists call Robert Horry the luckiest athlete in NBA history, for he is among the four players who have won the NBA championship with three teams. Horry was an excellent player, even though he never featured in the MVP and the All-star list. He was a franchise player and played 16 NBA seasons. Robert won two championships with the Houston Rockets, three with the LA Lakers, and two with the San Antonio Spurs.

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8. Frank Ramsey – 7 rings

• Full name: Frank Vernon Ramsey Jr.
• Birthday: 13 July 1931
• Birthplace: Corydon, Kentucky, United States
• Died: 8 July 2018 at Madisonville, Kentucky, United States
• Age: 86 years (at the time of death)
• Jersey number: 23
• Positions: Small forward, Shooting guard
• NBA draft: 1953 (Round: 1 / Pick: 5)
• NBA seasons: 9
• Height: 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 1982

Legend Frank Ramsey 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-year-NBA career for the club and was part of the team that won seven championships.

7. Jim Loscutoff – 7 rings

• Full name: James Loscutoff Jr.
• Birthday: 4 February 1930
• Birthplace: San Francisco, California, United States
• Died: 1 December 2015 at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Massachusetts, United States
• Age: 85 years (at the time of death)
• Jersey number: 18
• Position: Small forward
• NBA draft: 1955 (Round: 1 / Pick: 3)
• NBA seasons: 9
• Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m)

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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. Jim Loscutoff also had a nine-year career and was part of the team that won seven NBA titles.

6. John Havlicek – 8 rings

• Full name: John Joseph Havlicek
• Birthday: 8 April 1940
• Birthplace: Martins Ferry, Ohio, United States
• Died: 25 April 2019 at Jupiter, Florida, United States
• Age: 79 years (at the time of death)
• Jersey number: 17
• Positions: Small forward, Shooting guard
• NBA draft: 1962 (Round: 1 / Pick: 7th)
• NBA seasons: 16
• Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 1984

The most famous radio call in basketball history is “Havlicek stole the ball” by broadcaster Johnny Most. John Havlicek 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. He spent his entire 16-season NBA career with the Boston Celtics and won eight championships with the team.

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5. Satch Sanders – 8 rings

• Full name: Thomas Ernest "Satch" Sanders
• Birthday: 8 November 1938
• Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
• Age: 84 years (as of 2023)
• Jersey number: 16
• Position: Power forward
• NBA draft: 1960 (Round: 1 / Pick: 8)
• NBA seasons: 13
• Height: 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 2011

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. 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

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• Full name: Kirk Cameron Jones
• Birthday: 25 May 1932
• Birthplace: Taylor, Texas, United States
• Died: 25 December 2020 in Connecticut, United States
• Age: 88 years (at the time of death)
• Jersey numbers: 27, 25
• Position: Point guard
• NBA draft: 1956 (Round: 2 / Pick: 13)
• NBA seasons: 9
• Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 1989

Jones wasn't flashy in any way. Hence, glamourous teammates overshadowed him during his playing days. KC Jones started his NBA career as a player and later became a successful coach. He served nine years in the NBA as a player for the Boston Celtics, winning eight championship titles. Once he retired, he successfully transitioned into coaching, winning three titles, one as an assistant coach and two as a head coach.

3. Tom Heinsohn – 8 rings

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• Full name: Thomas William Heinsohn
• Birthday: 26 August 1934
• Birthplace: Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
• Died: 9 November 2020 at Needham, Massachusetts, United States
• Age: 86 years (at the time of death)
• Jersey number: 15
• Positions: Power forward, Small forward
• NBA draft: 1956 (Pick: Territorial Pick)
• NBA seasons: 9
• Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 1986

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

2. Sam Jones – 10 rings

• Full name: Samuel Gerald Jones
• Birthday: 24 June 1933
• Birthplace: Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
• Died: 30 December 2021 at Boca Raton, Florida, United States
• Age: 88 years (at the time of death)
• Jersey number: 24
• Position: Shooting guard
• NBA draft: 1957 (Round: 1 / Pick: 8)
• NBA seasons: 12
• Height: 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 1984

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

1. Bill Russell – 11 rings

• Full name: William Felton Russell
• Birthday: 12 February 1934
• Birthplace: West Monroe, Louisiana, United States
• Died: 31 July 2022, Mercer Island, Washington, United States
• Age: 88 years (at the time of death)
• Jersey number: 6
• Position: Center
• NBA draft: 1956 (Round: 1 / Pick: 2)
• NBA seasons: 13
• Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m)
• Basketball Hall of Fame induction: 1975

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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. Bill Russell garnered eleven rings in the thirteen seasons he played for the Boston Celtics. This 5-time MVP and 12 times All-Star is considered the greatest basketball player of all time.

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Who has the most rings in the NBA right now?

Bill Russell (11 rings) is currently the all-time leader in NBA championship rings. The title elicits fierce debate amongst basketball purists who tend to differ and point out that the title belongs to Michael Jordan.

Who has the most NBA rings as a player and coach?

Bill Russell has the most NBA rings as a player and coach. He earned 11 NBA titles in his thirteen-year playing career. Russell became a player-coach in 1966. He enabled the Celtics to win two consecutive titles in 1968 and 1969.

What player has the most NBA championships in a team?

Boston Celtics center Bill Russell is the record holder for the players with the most NBA championships. He won 11 titles during his 13-year NBA career.

What player has the most rings?

LeBron James (4 rings) leads on the list of current NBA players with the most rings.

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Who are the current NBA players with the most rings?

Below is a compilation of who has the most NBA rings (top 10 active players):

• 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

Which team has the most NBA championships?

Boston Celtics center Bill Russell has the most NBA championships won. The retired player won his first championship with the Boston Celtics in his rookie year. Bill bagged 11 titles during his 13-year playing career.

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Who is the worst NBA player with the most rings?

Although DJ Mbenga has two championship rings under his name, he is considered the worst player in the NBA league.

Which NBA team has won the most championships?

Teams with the most NBA championships are:

• Celtics - 17
• Lakers - 17
• Warriors - 7
• Bulls - 6
• Spurs - 5

Which team has the most NBA championships in a row?

The Boston Celtics have the longest consecutive NBA Finals appearance streak, with ten appearances between 1957 and 1966. During the streak, they won eight consecutive NBA championships (an NBA record).

That concludes our pick in the list of NBA players with the most rings. We 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.

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

Sportbrief.com recently posted an article ranking some of the best NBA players who have never won championship titles.

Being a ringless NBA superstar is detrimental to one's career legacy. Some NBA players have been exceptionally good on the pitch but never bagged a championship title.