Nate Thurmond
Nate the Great: Hall of Fame center, first official quadruple-double, seven-time All-Star.
Nathaniel Thurmond (July 25, 1941 – July 16, 2016) was an American professional basketball player who spent the majority of his 14-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Golden State Warriors franchise. He played the center and power forward positions. Thurmond was a seven-time All-Star and the first player in NBA history to record an official quadruple-double. In 1965, he grabbed 42 rebounds in a game; only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell recorded more rebounds in an NBA game. Thurmond was named a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985, one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. Known to fans as 'Nate the Great', Thurmond had his No. 42 jersey retired by both the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Quick Facts
- All-star selections
- 5 (all with Golden State Warriors)
Lore & Background
Thurmond started at Akron's Central High School, where he played alongside fellow future NBA star Gus Johnson. Passing up a scholarship offer from Ohio State to avoid becoming a backup to Jerry Lucas, a high school rival, Thurmond chose to play college basketball at Bowling Green. He led the Mid-American Conference in rebounds during all three of his varsity seasons (with a college career average of 17.0 rebounds per game), and was named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News in 1963. In Thurmond's last two years with Bowling Green, he helped lead the team into the NCAA Tournament and he set a school record with 31 rebounds in his final college game. He was drafted 3rd overall by the San Francisco Warriors in the 1963 NBA draft. After Wilt Chamberlain was traded, Thurmond blossomed into a highly productive starting center. He set a regular-season record for rebounds in a quarter with 18, averaged 21.3 and 22.0 rebounds per game in the 1966–67 and 1967–68 seasons, and placed second to Chamberlain in the MVP balloting in 1966–67. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar called Thurmond the toughest defender he ever faced. Thurmond was acquired by the Chicago Bulls prior to the 1974–75 season. On October 18, 1974, against the Atlanta Hawks, in his debut as a Bull, he recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocked shots, becoming the first player in NBA history to officially record a quadruple-double. He was later traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 27, 1975, and helped lead Cleveland's 'Miracle at Richfield' team to the NBA Eastern Conference finals in 1976. He retired at the end of the 1976–77 season.
Reader's Guide
Thurmond was a seven-time All-Star. He is one of five players in NBA history to average at least 15 rebounds per game for his career (15.0). He is one of five players to average at least 20 rebounds per game during a season (21.3 in 1966–67, 22.0 in 1967–68). He is one of four players in NBA history to record 40 or more rebounds in a game (42 vs. Detroit Pistons). He holds the NBA regular-season record for rebounds in a quarter (18). He was the first player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double, doing so in his debut with the Chicago Bulls.
The Foundation and Early Championships
Tyrrell and legendary promoter Eddie Gottlieb. This era was defined by a formidable trio of future Hall of Famers: Paul Arizin, Tom Gola, and Neil Johnston. Their dominance culminated in a four-game sweep of the Fort Wayne Pistons to claim the NBA's second-ever championship. These early victories laid the groundwork for a franchise that would eventually relocate west, carrying with it a legacy of excellence that predated their move to the San Francisco Bay Area by over a decade.
The Wilt Chamberlain Revolution
Known as "Wilt the Stilt," he shattered scoring records and led the team to six scoring titles.
The Transition and Rise of Rick Barry
However, the rebuilding process was swift; just four months later, the team selected Rick Barry in the draft. During his absence, Nate Thurmond assumed a leadership role alongside Jeff Mullins and Rudy LaRusso, keeping the franchise competitive while they began shifting more games to Oakland. Barry returned in 1972 after four seasons away, coinciding with the team rebranding as the Golden State Warriors to represent the entire state of California rather than just one city.
Modern Dominance and Franchise Records
The Golden State Warriors have evolved into a modern powerhouse, holding several significant NBA records including the best regular-season record ever at 73-9 in 2016. The 2016 season remains a defining chapter where they achieved their record-breaking win total before suffering a dramatic seven-game Finals loss to Cleveland after holding a 3-1 lead. The franchise boasts three MVPs in its history: Wilt Chamberlain and Stephen Curry, with the latter winning multiple awards. Ranking third all-time in championships and Finals appearances behind only the Lakers and Celtics, the "Dubs" have cemented their status as an elite organization.
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