Nate Thurmond

Verified Timeline

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. Thurmond was drafted 3rd overall by the San Francisco Warriors (now known as the Golden State Warriors) in the 1963 NBA draft. As a rookie, he mainly played a supporting role alongside Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain. After Chamberlain was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers during the next season, Thurmond blossomed into a highly productive starting center for the Warriors. He set a regular-season record for rebounds in a quarter with 18, and averaged 21.3 and 22.0 rebounds per game in the 1966–67 and 1967–68 seasons. Thurmond placed second to Chamberlain in the MVP balloting in the 1966–67 season, averaged over 20 points per game each season from 1967–68 through 1971–72, and played in seven NBA All-Star Games as a member of the Warriors. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar called Thurmond the toughest defender he ever faced. The Warriors reached the 1967 NBA Finals, but lost to Chamberlain's 76ers. A 33-year-old Thurmond was acquired by the Chicago Bulls prior to the 1974–75 season. On October 18, 1974, 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. Thirteen games into the 1975–76 season, Thurmond was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In Cleveland, the now 35-year-old Thurmond came off the bench for the injured Jim Chones to lead Cleveland's 'Miracle at Richfield' team to the NBA Eastern Conference finals before the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in 1976. A role player reduced to limited minutes and mid-single digit scoring and rebounds, Thurmond retired at the end of the 1976–77 season. After retirement, Thurmond returned to San Francisco and opened a restaurant, Big Nate's BBQ. He

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with tension during a late-season matchup against the Lakers. The hardwood squeaked under heavy feet as Thurmond positioned himself in the paint, eyes locked on the rim. A long pass came down from the guard; he met it mid-air with a thunderous block, sending the ball careening into the stands. Sweat dripped from his brow, but his stance never wavered. The crowd roared for the man who refused to yield an inch of territory.

Reader's Guide

Thurmond never played for the Cincinnati Royals, Kansas City-Omaha Kings, or Sacramento Kings. His NBA teams were the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Did You Know?

• Thurmond was the first player in NBA history to record an official quadruple-double, doing so in his debut with the Chicago Bulls.
• He grabbed 42 rebounds in a game in 1965; only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell recorded more rebounds in an NBA game.
• Thurmond's No. 42 jersey was retired by both the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar called Thurmond the toughest defender he ever faced during his 20-season professional career.

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.