NBA players are known for their superiority in terms of athleticism, vertical prowess, strength, stamina, and toughness. Even the most average players who flamed out in the league enjoyed highly successful careers overseas. But there are a limited number of players who are considered “freak athletes” that dominated the game like never seen before.
In this list, we’ll name the top 10 freaks of nature who are current NBA players who entirely changed the game of basketball for good.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves – Rudy Gobert
Standing at a towering 7’2” and equipped with a 7’9” wingspan, Gobert puts his height and length to good use as he has won three NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in his career. The 31-year-old Frenchman is a pest defensively and players often hesitate to challenge his presence under the ring.
While he has some limitations on the offensive end, Gobert makes up for it on the defensive end while grabbing a ton full of rebounds every single game. He is an intimidating figure in both the NBA and for Les Bleus.
9. Phoenix Suns – Kevin Durant
Standing at almost 7 feet with guard-like skills and a beautiful jump shot, Durant is a bonafide freak of nature. He is deceptively strong despite his skinny frame and could outscore any opponent on any given night. Durant has been playing in a very high level ever since he got drafted in 2007 by the now-defunct Seattle Supersonics.
He became a league MVP in 2014 and has won multiple scoring titles in his career. People endlessly call out that Durant needs more time inside the weight room, but his length has been a valuable asset to him as he could get off shots easily against smaller defenders.
8. Los Angeles Clippers – Kawhi Leonard
Leonard’s accolades often go overlooked because of a string of injuries he suffered the past couple of seasons. But make no mistake, when healthy, the Klaw is a freak of nature. A two-time former FMVP for both the San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors, Leonard is a threat on offense and defense on a nightly basis.
He also boasts one of the biggest hand sizes in the game, with a length of almost 10 inches and a hand span of 11.25 inches. At 6’7” and 225 pounds, he is a strong athlete and a master of the midrange game. A pest on the defensive end, Leonard can lock down any opponent from point guard through the center position.
7. Los Angeles Clippers – Russell Westbrook
The Brodie may not be as athletic as he once was, but there was a time when the 6’3”, 200-pound point guard was considered as the most athletic player in the league for almost half a decade. In past interviews, Westbrook disclosed that he was not able to dunk a basketball until his senior year in high school.
A strong and well-built athlete, it’s hard to contain Westbrook during his peak years as he averaged a triple-double for three consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2019.
6. Los Angeles Lakers – LeBron James
LeBron is arguably one of the best players to ever pick up a basketball in the history of the sport. Already in his 20th year and still performing at his peak going into year 21, James is not just a freak athlete but also a freak of nature.
He spends millions per year to keep his body in shape during an NBA season. His investments paid well as he is now considered as a billionaire by Forbes. At 6’8” and 250 pounds, LeBron achieved possibly everything he can on the hardwood throughout his career. The 38-year-old is considered as the perfect specimen for an athlete because, despite his towering height and muscular body, his mobility and strength remained elite.
5. Philadelphia 76ers – Joel Embiid
At 7’2” and 280 pounds, the current league MVP is a dominant force on both offense and defense for the 76ers. With the combination of size and heft, watching Embiid play with finesse will make everyone’s jaw drop as it’s puzzling how he could move with such ease for a man his stature.
The 29-year-old has a plethora of moves on the post and could also stretch out beyond the three-point line to knock down timely threes for his team. A guy this huge should not be able to do the things he’s done on the court but, here we are.
4. New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson
Words could not justify Zion’s game. You simply need to watch him fly and overpower foes to appreciate his unusual talent. Williamson is considered a freak of nature because despite weighing at a solid 289 pounds and standing just 6’6”, the man can end anybody’s career with his finesse and brute power.
He is as strong and big as a bull but lightweight as a feather whenever he flies. The only knock on his game is a myriad of injuries since he joined the league in 2019. But when healthy, nobody is stopping Zion from scoring.
3. Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant
At just 6’2” and 175 pounds, Morant has done things that could make you hit the replay button again due to its rarity and craziness. To say that he’s athletic is a complete understatement. Ja’s game is otherworldly and mind-boggling.
The man can fly and he’ll gladly posterize anybody who dares to challenge his flight towards the rim. Morant is lightning-fast and a dominating force despite his smaller frame. Despite the current off-the-court troubles, at just 23, everybody expects Morant to steer his ship on to the right direction and continue his stellar play in the league for years to come
2. Denver Nuggets – Nikola Jokic
This was an unexpected choice but hear us out. The Joker is a freak athlete despite his limitations in the athleticism department. Throughout the history of the game, nobody that slow-footed can dominate the game like what Jokic does every single season.
At 7 feet and 270 pounds, Jokic can dictate his team’s offensive schemes while looking sloppy and lethargic to the untrained eye. But at the end of every game, you’d be surprised that he’s already got a triple-double under his name. He doesn’t have a muscular build but Jokic is stronger than most guys on this list.
1. Milwaukee Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo
When the Bucks drafted Giannis as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, it was widely considered a risk for the franchise to select a skinny 6’9” kid from Greece who hasn’t even played a single minute in their top pro league.
A decade later, those doubts were swept out the window in a stellar fashion. Not only Giannis became Milwaukee’s franchise player, but he also delivered a championship for the Bucks in 2021. Even former MVP and Laker legend Shaquille O’Neal, who was once also a freak athlete himself, lauded the Greek Freak’s utter dominance on the basketball court. Two league MVPs and a ring later, it’s hard to argue with Shaq’s praise of Antetokounmpo.