What is a Double Double in Basketball?

In basketball, a double double is when a player accumulates a double-digit number total in two of five statistical categories—points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The term was coined by former NBA player John Shedd in the 1980s.

A player who reaches double figures in points and rebounds in a game is said to have achieved a "double double." The feat is impressive enough on its own, but some players take their game to another level by racking up double doubles on a regular basis. In fact, there are some players who have made a career out of being prolific double-double machines.

Notable Double Double Machines

Rudy Gobert's double double basketball stats

Rudy Gobert: 351 Double-Doubles *

One such player is Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert. In the 2018-19 season, Gobert averaged 15.9 points and 12.9 rebounds per game en route to winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. He also led the league in total blocks with 2.3 per game. Gobert has now tallied 10 or more points and 10 or more rebounds in the same game 351 times in his NBA career—an impressive feat for any player, let alone a center.

James Harden: 292 Double-Doubles *

James Harden is one of the most talented basketball players in the world. Not only can he score points, but he also has the ability to set up his teammates for easy baskets. As a result, it's no surprise that he's racked up an impressive number of double-doubles over the course of his career. In fact, according to Basketball Reference, James Harden has recorded a total of 292 double-doubles. That's an incredible feat, and it's a testament to James Harden's all-around game. Whether he's scoring points or setting up his teammates, James Harden is always a threat to record a double-double. And that's why he's one of the best players in the NBA.

James Harden's double double basketball stats

Damian Lillard's double double basketball stats

Damian Lillard: 112 Double-Doubles *

Damian Lillard is one of the best basketball players in the world. He is a prolific scorer and an excellent passer. Damian is also a very good rebounder, and he often has double-doubles in points and assists. In fact, Damian Lillard is one of the best players in the NBA at getting double-doubles. If you're looking for a player who can fill up the stat sheet, Damian Lillard is your man. He is a true all-around player who can do it all on the court.

While most players are happy to get one or two double doubles during the course of an NBA season, there are a select few who manage to rack up five or more in a single season. In fact, there have been just 46 instances of a player averaging at least five double doubles over the course of an entire NBA season since the 1985-86 season. The list includes some of the biggest names in basketball history, such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, David Robinson, Shaquille O'Neal, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant.

How Do I Get More Double Doubles?

As you can see, a double double is not an easy feat to accomplish—but it's not impossible either. Keep in mind that a double-double is not just about scoring points. You also need to focus on rebounding and assists. In order to achieve a double-double, you need to be well-rounded on both offense and defense. There’s no better time than now to start working on your game so that you can dominate the court next season. Who knows? Maybe you can even join the ranks of some of the best players in the league with a few more double-doubles under your belt. Ready to start practicing?

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*As of September 27, 2022, and as reported by StatMuse.com