Ranking 10 NBA Players With Most Championship Rings

Players in the NBA receive championship rings to mark their ultimate achievement and their permanent mark on sports history. Bill Russell maintains a record of 11 league titles that he won during his Boston Celtics career from 1957 to 1969.

During the same era, Bill Russell and Sam Jones managed to win 10 championships with the Celtics—the NBA championships of Tom Heinsohn and K.C. Jones amounted to eight while Satch Sanders received eight rings. The players significantly contributed to the Celtics’ championship run during the 1950s and 1960s.

Who Has the Most NBA Championship Rings?

Each NBA team has die heart fans who would love to believe their favorite player is the best in the league. However, today we have ranked top 10 NBA players purely based on the fact on who has the most championship rings. Let’s take a detailed look at these MVP’s careers.

10. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 6 Championships

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stands as one of the top historical figures in NBA history because of his exceptional achievements. During his career, he won first place in six NBA championships with one from the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971 and consecutive five wins with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. Abdul-Jabbar received his first NBA Finals MVP win in 1971 followed by his second in 1985. During his career, he received six NBA Most Valuable Player awards in a record-breaking fashion where he won them in 1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, and 1980.

Jabbar received nominations for nineteen NBA All-Star matches as well as ten first-place selections on All-NBA Teams. The United States basketball team rewarded him with a gold medal during the 1968 Summer Olympic Games held in Mexico City. As an NBA player, he first competed for UCLA Bruins where his performance resulted in three NCAA championship wins in 1967 through 1969. He received the prestigious award as Most Outstanding Player in each of the NCAA Tournaments he played.

9. Frank Ramsey, 7 Championships

The prominent American professional basketball player Frank Ramsey was born on July 13, 1931, in Corydon Kentucky. Frank Ramsey achieved seven NBA Championship wins while playing with the Boston Celtics starting from the 1957 season until 1964. During the Celtics dynasty, he provided essential contributions but mainly gained fame because of his ability to excel as a sixth man.

Throughout his basketball career, Ramsey did not collect any MVP awards. Although he did not start most games he provided vital leadership as a reserve player while the Celtics won their championship titles. During his time at the University Of Kentucky, he became part of the 1951 NCAA champion squad while playing under head coach Adolph Rupp.

In 1982 the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame admitted Frank Ramsey to celebrate his beneficial impact on basketball through his Celtics success and wider sports contributions. Frank Ramsey’s jersey number 23 received Boston Celtics retirement status because of his essential contribution to the team’s championship journey.

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8. Jim Loscutoff, 7 Championships

According to basketball references, the world recognized Jim Loscutoff as ‘Jungle Jim’ during his career as a professional American athlete. As a member of the Boston Celtics Loscutoff won 7 NBA championships from 1957 and 1959 until 1964. Throughout his career, Loscutoff failed to earn an NBA MVP recognition. Loscutoff reached 17.2 rebounds per game for the Ducks during the 1954–55 season while becoming the fourth player to recover the most rebounds in university history.

1995 proved to be a landmark year for Loscutoff when he became a member of the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame. The Boston Celtics took number 18 out of rotation to commemorate how his playing skills helped his team. The Boston Celtics history remembers Loscutoff as a central member of their winning dynasty and a standout defender because of his remarkable rebounding capabilities.

7. Robert Horry, 7 Championships

Bob Horry gained the nickname ‘Big Shot Rob’ because of his championship-winning performances as a retired American NBA professional basketball player who captured seven titles. Horry appeared in seven NBA championship finals when he played for three different clubs starting with the Houston Rockets (1994, 1995) and ending with the San Antonio Spurs (2005, 2007) including three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000–2002).

During his professional career at the NBA Robert Horry earned no awards as Maximum Value Player despite his important contributions to the league. While at the University of Alabama Horry became the record holder for blocked shots with 282 throughout his entire college career. Horry received the honor of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame induction in 2010 to acknowledge his exceptional work in basketball.

San Antonio Spurs recognized his team contributions by officially retiring jersey number 5 from the team roster. Through his displays of excellence in high-pressure moments Robert Horry secured his position as a legendary player for tight situations in NBA history.

6. Tom Sanders, 8 Championships

As a retired professional basketball player and coach from New York City Satch Sanders is celebrated for his defensive skills as well as his leadership abilities. Sanders helped the Boston Celtics win 8 NBA championships between the 1961–1966 and 1968–1969 periods. The NBA recognizes him as one of three basketball players who have achieved an undefeated record in the Finals series.

The NBA entirely passed over Sanders for an MVP award despite his major impact on club success during his career. In 2011 the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame admitted Sanders as a contributor to honor his influence through both playing and coaching. After his player career ended Sanders became the Harvard Crimson men’s basketball team’s head coach followed by taking charge of the Celtics. Sanders left history with his defensive mastery and his motivational leadership alongside important roles in the Boston Celtics’ championship success.

5. K.C. Jones, 8 Championships

The American professional basketball star and coach K.C. Jones received fame for being a defensive leader during his career. According to Sonics Forever, Jones achieved eight NBA championship victories during his time at the Boston Celtics between 1959 to 1966. Only eight players exist who accomplished this triumvirate of victories which includes the NCAA championship along with the NBA championship and Olympic gold medal. Jones secured two NCAA titles at the University of San Francisco during his time as a student where he achieved consensus recognition as a second-team All-American in 1956.

In 1989 Hall of Fame honored Jones as a player while he became a member of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Boston Celtics awarded Jones with the position of head coach following his playing career when he brought two NBA championship titles in 1984 and 1986. Jones built his lasting impact through his exceptional defense together with his leadership abilities and his support of the Celtics dynasty.

4. Tom Heinsohn, 8 Championships

Tom Heinsohn won 8 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics (1957, 1959–1965). The Boston Celtics championship-winning era lasted throughout the 1950s and 1960s because of his vital role. He received the NBA Rookie of the Year distinction during his first season in 1957. Heinsohn participated in six NBA All-Star selections that took place between 1958 and 1964. Between 1956 and 1965 Heinsohn spent all his professional years playing for the Boston Celtics as a forward.

In his entire professional playing career, Heinsohn averaged 18.6 points with each game alongside 8.8 rebounds. Following his retirement from playing basketball Heinsohn dedicated himself to coaching the Celtics where he secured an NBA championship as head coach in 1974. Heinsohn’s excellent contributions to the Celtics team during their dominant era established their historical significance and earned his Basketball Hall of Fame admission in 1986.

3. John Havlicek, 8 Championships

Havlicek won 8 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics (1963–1966, 1968–1969, 1974–1976). He made 13 All-Star snitches from 1966 to 1978 and secured membership on 4 NBA All-First Teams. The NBA recognized Havlicek with 4 first-team selections in their defensive roster.

Havlicek established his entire NBA career (1962–1978) at the guard-forward position when he played with the Boston Celtics for 16 years. John Havlicek logged statistics of 20.8 points combined with 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists throughout his NBA career. Louis Havlicek became a Basketball Hall of Fame member in 1984 because of his exceptional defensive skills and clutch performance.

2. Sam Jones, 10 Championships

Jones won 10 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics (1959–1966, 1968–1969). The Boston Celtics chose Sam Jones for 5 All-Star appearances (1962, 1964–1966, 1968). Throughout his 12-season career spanning 1957–1969, Jones demonstrated guard skills and achieved 17.7 points together with 4.9 rebounds per game. His talent to succeed in critical situations led fans to call him “Mr. Clutch.” During the Celtics’ most successful period, Jones played a vital role that securing multiple championships for the NBA team. The Basketball Hall of Fame included him among its members during their 1984 ceremony.

1. Bill Russell, 11 Championnship

Coming to the number 1 spot it has Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA titles with the Boston Celtics (1957, 1959–1966, 1968–1969). Russell received 5 NBA MVP titles throughout his career during 1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1965 and he participated in 12 All-Star games between 1958 and 1969. Throughout his career, Russell was chosen three times to the NBA All First team as well as winning the NBA Finals MVP award two times.

Russell established fame as a center through exceptional defense and rebounding abilities that produced 15.1 points together with 22.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Russell played for the U.S. basketball squad which achieved a gold medal during the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. His contributions through playing basketball and leadership together with his advocacy for civil rights positions Bill Russell as an all-time vital figure in basketball history.

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