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List of basketball players with most career points

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Oscar Schmidt, the previous record holder.

The following is a list of basketball players by total professional career points scored. It includes points scored in national league and cup games, national team games, international club games, All-Star basketball games (according to Dal - NBA beginner analyst), and any other games played for professional or national teams. (High school/college games are not counted due to being amateur leagues).

American LeBron James is basketball's all-time top scorer with 50,260 points scored over his 21-year active career.[1][2] Of these, 50,213 points were scored in official games, with the remaining 47 points coming from a pre-season match against international teams. He is also the NBA's all-time leading scorer and the only player to have surpassed 40,000 regular-season points in the league. Oscar Schmidt held a record with 49,973 points. According to FIBA and Schmidt's official website, 236 of exhibition games' points are not counted, bringing his official total to 49,737 points. LeBron James broke Oscar Schmidt's record on April 2, 2024.

Other players who did not make the list but have achieved the highest all-time scoring records in domestic leagues - other than NBA - are: Hervé Dubuisson with 19,013 points in the French league, Andrew Gaze with 18,908 points in the NBL, Ramon Fernandez with 18,996 points in the PBA, Wilfredo Ruiz with 18,512 in the Uruguayan Championship, Héctor Campana with 17,359 points[3] in Argentina's league, George Torres with 15,863 pts in Puerto Rico's league, Louie Dampier with 13,276 points in the ABA,[4] Antonello Riva with 14,397 in the Serie A, Vinko Jelovac with 7,351 points in the Yugoslav First Federal League, Alberto Herreros with 9,759 points in the Liga ACB, Edward Jurkiewicz, with 23,726 points in the Polish Premier Championship (1947–present), Eugeniusz Kijewski with 10,185 points in the Polish Premier League (1976–present), Jiří Zídek Sr. with 10,838 points in the Czechoslovak Championship, Zhu Fangyu with 11,165 points in the Chinese Basketball Association, Willy Steveniers with 11,870 points in the Belgian league, Mike Jackel with 10,873 points in Germany's league, Doron Jamchi with 9,611 points in Israel's league, and Nick Galis with 12,864 points in the HBF Greek Championship (1963–1992).

Players

[edit]
^ Active player
* Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
† Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration[a]
§ 1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2023[5]
Rank Player Pos Teams played for Total points League
points (regular season) 		League points (playoffs) National team
points 		All-Star game
points 		International club games
points 		Other cups
points 		NBA draft References
1 United States LeBron James^ SF Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010, 2014–2018)
Miami Heat (2010–2014)
Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present) 		50,260 40,474[6] 8,162[7] 1,137 [8] 487 (434 [b]; 53 (NBA Rising Stars Challenge)) 47 [c] NBA In-Season Tournament Final: 75 2003, round: 1 / pick: 1st overall.
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers 		[11][12]
2 Brazil Oscar Schmidt* SG / SF Palmeiras (1974–1978,
Sírio (1978–1982),
América do Rio (1982),
Caserta (1982–1990),
Pavia (1990–1993),
Forum Valladolid (1995–1997),
Corinthians (1995–1997),
Bandeirantes / Mackenzie (1997–1999),
C.R. Flamengo (1999–2003) 		49,973 42,044

(combined Regular/Playoffs/Finals) [d]

7,693 [e] 236 [f] [g] [h] 1984, round: 6 / pick: 131st overall.
Selected by the New Jersey Nets 		[13][14]
3 United States Kareem Abdul-Jabbar* C Milwaukee Bucks (1969–1975),
Los Angeles Lakers (1975–1989) 		44,440

(44,440 points officially)

38,387 5,762 - 251 - - 1969, round: 1 / pick: 1st overall.
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks 		[15][16]
4 United States Karl Malone* PF Utah Jazz (1985–2003),
Los Angeles Lakers (2003–2004) 		42,005 36,928 4,761 171 145 - - 1985, round: 1 / pick: 13th overall.
Selected by the Utah Jazz 		[17]
5 United States Kobe Bryant* SG Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2016) 40,172 33,643 5,640 504 321

(All-Star: 290; Rising Stars: 31) [i]

64 - 1996, round: 1 / pick: 13th overall.
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets 		[18]
6 United States Michael Jordan* SG North Carolina Tar Heels (1981–1984),
Chicago Bulls (1984–1993, 1995–1998),
Washington Wizards (2001–2003) 		39,198 32,292 5,987 491 299

(NBA: 262; Liga ACB Presentation Games: 37) [j]

129 [k] - 1984, round: 1 / pick: 3d overall.
Selected by the Chicago Bulls 		[21]
7 Germany Dirk Nowitzki* PF/C Dallas Mavericks (1998–2019) 36,620 31,560 3,663 1,134 [22] 122 8 [l] 133 [22] 1998, round: 1 / pick: 9th overall.
Selected by the Dallas Mavericks 		[24]
8 United States Wilt Chamberlain* C Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959–1965),
Philadelphia 76ers (1965–1968),
Los Angeles Lakers (1968–1973) 		35,217 31,419 3,607 - 191 - - 1959, pick: Territorial.
Selected by the Philadelphia Warriors 		[25]
9 United States Julius Erving* SF Virginia Squires (1971–1974),
Brooklyn Nets (1973–1976),
Philadelphia 76ers (1976–1988) 		34,927 30,026

(ABA: 11,662; NBA: 18,364)

4,580

(ABA: 1,492; NBA; 3,088)

- 321

(ABA: 100; NBA: 221) [m]

- - 1972, round: 1 / pick: 12th overall.
Selected by the Milwaukee Bucks 		[26]
10 United States Kevin Durant^ PF/SF Seattle Supersonics (2007–08), Oklahoma City Thunder (2008-2016), Golden State Warriors (2016-2019), Brooklyn Nets (2020–23), Phoenix Suns (2023–present) 34,427 28,924 4,985 518 [27] 337

(All-Star: 268; Rising Stars Challenge: 69)

120 (57; International exhibitions: 63) NBA Summer League: 51 2007, round: 1 / pick: 2nd

Selected by the Seattle Supersonics

11 United States Shaquille O'Neal* C Orlando Magic (1992–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers (1996–2004)
Miami Heat (2004–2008)
Phoenix Suns (2008–2009)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2009–2010)
Boston Celtics (2010–2011) 		34,323 28,641

(Regular: 28,596; Preseason: 45)

5,250 218 202 12 [n] - 1992, round: 1 / pick: 1st overall.
Selected by the Orlando Magic 		[28][29]
12 United States Carmelo Anthony† SF Denver Nuggets (2003–2011)
New York Knicks (2011–2017)
Oklahoma City Thunder (2017–2018)
Houston Rockets (2018)
Portland Trail Blazers (2019–2021)
Los Angeles Lakers (2021–2022) 		32,434 29,141

(Regular: 28,289; Preseason: 852)

1,914 1,068 233

(All-Star: 185; Rising Stars: 48)[o]

57 [p] 2003, round: 1 / pick: 3d overall.
Selected by the Denver Nuggets 		[32]
13 United States Tim Duncan* PF/C San Antonio Spurs (1997–2017) 32,211 26,796

(Regular: 26,496; Preseason: 300)

5,172 103 140 - - 1997, round: 1 / pick: 1st overall.
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs 		[33]
14 United States Moses Malone* C Utah Stars (1974–1975),
Spirits of St. Louis (1975–1976),
Buffalo Braves (1976–1977),
Houston Rockets (1976–1983),
Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1987),
Washington Bullets (1986–1989),
Atlanta Hawks (1988–1992),
Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1994),
Philadelphia 76ers (1993–1995),
San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995) 		31,927 29,580

(ABA: 21,71; NBA: 27,409)

2,,213

(ABA: 136; NBA: 2,077)

- 134

(ABA: 6; NBA: 128) [q]

- - 1974, round: 3.
Selected by the Utah Stars 		[34]
15 Nigeria Hakeem Olajuwon* C Houston Rockets (1984–2001),

Toronto Raptors (2001–2003)

 30,853 26,946 3,755 35 117 - - 1984, round: 1 / pick: 1st overall.
Selected by the Houston Rockets 		[35]
16 United States Dan Issel* PF/C Kentucky Colonels (ABA), (1970-1975),

Denver Nuggets (NBA) 1975-1985

30,519 27,482

(ABA: 12,823; NBA: 14,659)

2,934

(ABA: 1,029; NBA: 1,905)

- 103

(ABA: 103; NBA: 0) [36]

- - 1970: NBA, round 8, pick 3 / 122 overall (Detroit Pistons) + 1970: ABA: round 1 (Kentucky Colonels)
17 United StatesJohn Havlicek* SF/SG Boston Celtics (1962-1978) 30,350 26,395 3,776 - 179 1962: NBA, round 1 / 9th overall (Boston Celtics) + 1962 NFL: round 7 / 95th overall (Cleveland Browns)
18 United States Elvin Hayes* PF/C San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968–1972), (1981–1984),
Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (1972–1981) 		30,323 27,313 2,194 - 126 29 [r] - 1968, round: 1 / pick: 1st overall.
Selected by the San Diego Rockets 		[40]
19 United StatesPaul Pierce* SF/SG Boston Celtics (1998-2013),

Brooklyn Nets (2013-2014), Washington Wizards (2014-2015), Los Angeles Clippers (2015-2017)

30,174 26,702

(Regular: 26,397; Preseason: 305)

3,180 178 114

(All-Star: 96; Rising Stars: 18)

1998: round 1 / 10th overall.

Selected by the Boston Celtics.

20 United States Dominique Wilkins* SF Georgia Bulldogs (1979–1982),
Atlanta Hawks (1982–1994),
Los Angeles Clippers (1994),
Boston Celtics (1994–1995),
Panathinaikos (1995–1996),
San Antonio Spurs (1996–1997),
Fortitudo Bologna (1997–1998),
Orlando Magic (1999) 		30,071 27,567

(NBA: 26,668; Greece: 449; Italy: 450) [s]

NBA: 1,423 101 125

(NBA: 106; Greece: 19) [t]

741 [u] 114 [v] 1982, round: 1 / pick: 3d overall.
Selected by the Utah Jazz 		[43]
21 United StatesJames Harden^ SG Oklahoma City Thunder (2009-2012),

Houston Rockets (2012-2021), Brooklyn Nets (2020-2022), Philadelphia 76ers (2021-2023), Los Angeles Clippers (2023-present)

29,821 25,885 3,764 172 [44] 195

(All-Star: 143; Rising Stars: 52)

NBA International games: 78 [45][46][47][48][49] NBA Summer League: 202 2009, round 1 / 3rd overall.

Selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ A player is not eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame until he has been fully retired for three calendar years.
  2. ^ LeBron James has scored 434 points in the NBA All-Star Games and 53 in the Rising Challenge (2004 and 2005)
  3. ^ LeBron James in international club games: scored 22 pts on 22 Oct. 2010 (Miami Heat -CSKA Moscow 96–85), 12 pts on 9 Oct. 2009 (Cleveland Cavaliers – Olympiacos 111–94),[9] 13 pts on 17 Oct. 2006 (Cleveland Cavaliers – Maccabi Tel Aviv 93–67)[10]
  4. ^ Oscar Schmidt scored 13,957 pts in Italian Serie A (403 games), and 2,009 pts in Spanish ACB (71 games). During his Brazil pro career he scored: 2,033 pts for Palmeiras (82 games) 4,351 pts for Sirio (146 games), 4,613 pts for Barueri (120 games), 7,241 pts for Flamengo (219 games). Αnd 26,078 pts in Brazilian league (815 games), without including his 1982 season with America do Rio
  5. ^ Oscar Schmidt scored 7,693 (326 games) for Brazil, 569 pts in 31 games for Amateur Brazil and 393 in 15 games for the São Paulo Selection.
  6. ^ Oscar Schmidt scored 186 points in the Italian All-Star Games (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991), 46 pts in the ULEB All-Star Games (1992, 1993, 1994), 4 pts in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game (as a celebrity) and played in the 1991 FIBA All-Star Game
  7. ^ Oscar Schmidt played in the 1979 FIBA Intercontinental Cup with Sirio: Scored 42 pts in the final game, plus 3 more appearances
  8. ^ Oscar Schmidt: in domestic and other cups
  9. ^ Kobe Bryant has scored 290 points in the NBA All-Star Games and 31 in the Rising Stars Challenge (1997)
  10. ^ Michael Jordan scored 262 points in the NBA All-Star Games and 37 in the Liga ACB Presentation Games
  11. ^ Michael Jordan in international club games: played on 20 Oct. 1983 (Berloni Torino – North Carolina Tar Heels 71–87),[19] 34 pts on 21 Oct. 1983 (Greece – North Carolina Tar Heels 83–100),[20] 26 pts on 21 Oct. 1983 (Red Star Belgrade – North Carolina Tar Heels 104–105, OT 85–85 & 92–92), scored 14 pts on 23 Oct. 1983 (Greece – North Carolina Tar Heels 71–79), 55 pts in 1997 McDonald's Open
  12. ^ Dirk Nowitzki in international club games: scored 8 pts on 6 Oct. 2012 (Alba Berlin – Dallas Mavericks 84–89)[23]
  13. ^ Julius Erving has scored 221 points in the ABA All-Star Games and 100 in the NBA All-Star Games
  14. ^ Shaquille O'Neal in international club games: scored 12 pts on 9 Oct. 2009 (Cleveland Cavaliers – Olympiacos 111–94)
  15. ^ Anthony scored 185 points in the NBA All-Star Games and 48 in the Rising Stars Challenge (2004, 2005)
  16. ^ Carmelo Anthony in international club games: scored 17 pts on 3 Oct. 2009 (Denver Nuggets – Partizan Belgrade 102–70),[30] 21 pts on 10 Oct. 2006 (Denver Nuggets – Efes Pilsen 118–102),[31] scored pts 19 on 8 Oct. 2017 (Melbourne United – Oklahoma City Thunder) 85–86
  17. ^ Moses Malone scored 6 points in the ABA All-Star Games and 128 in the NBA All-Star Games
  18. ^ Elvin Hayes in international club games: played on 8 Sept. 1978 (Maccabi Tel Aviv – Washington Bullets 98–97),[37][38] on 24 Aug. 1979 (Bayi Rockets – Washington Bullets 82–96), scored 18 pts on 29 Aug.1979 (China – Washington Bullets 80–113),[39] on 4 Sept.1979 (Philippines – Washington Bullets 123–133)
  19. ^ Dominique Wilkins scored 26,710 pts in NBA, 449 pts in the Greek league and 450 pts in the Italian league
  20. ^ Dominique Wilkins scored 106 pts in the NBA All-Star Games, 19 pts in the 1996 Greek All-Star Game, but missed the 1997 Italian All-Star Game and 1997 FIBA EuroStars due to injury
  21. ^ Dominique Wilkins in international games: scored 342 pts (in 17 games) in the 1995-96 FIBA European League, 358 pts (in 2 games) in the 1997–98 FIBA European League, scored 29 pts on 27 July 1988 (Soviet Union – Atlanta Hawks 105–110 OT),[41] 12 pts on 30 July 1988 (Soviet Union – Atlanta Hawks 132–123)[42]
  22. ^ Dominique Wilkins scored 82 pts (in 3 games) in the 1995–96 Greek Basketball Cup and 32 pts in the final four of the 1997–98 Italian Basketball Cup.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Oscar Schmidt: all points breakdown". oscarschmidt14.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-27.
  2. ^ "Oscar Schmidt: The greatest basketball player you may have never heard of". sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-25.
  3. ^ "Pure history: Campana and Tomatis, the top gunners in the League". archysport.com. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022.
  4. ^ "ABA All-Time Top 20 Scorers – Remember the ABA". remembertheaba.com.
  5. ^ "2023 Hall of Fame Candidates". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  6. ^ "LeBron James Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-29. Retrieved 2024-01-10.
  7. ^ "NBA & ABA Career Playoff Leaders and Records for Points". Basketball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-13. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  8. ^ FIBA. "LeBron James". FIBA. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  9. ^ "Cleveland Cavaliers- Olympiacos 111–94". nba.com. 9 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Cleveland Cavaliers- Maccabi Tel Aviv 93–67". nba.com. 17 October 2006. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  11. ^ "Lebron James stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-29.
  12. ^ Abraão, Gustavo. "Oscar Schmidt ou LeBron James: quem tem mais pontos no basquete?". CNN Brasil. Archived from the original on 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  13. ^ "Our Forgotten Latino Héroes: Oscar Schmidt". Our Esquina. 11 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Oscar Schmidt: Basketball's all-time top scorer". PeaceDot Sports. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022.
  15. ^ "Kareem Abdul Jabbar College stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2022-04-09.
  16. ^ "Kareem Abdul Jabbar NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2013-04-03.
  17. ^ "Karl Malone stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2011-02-20.
  18. ^ "Kobe Bryant NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-01.
  19. ^ "Tar Heels beat the Italian team Berloni 87–71". upi.com.
  20. ^ "Nick Galis versus Michael Jordan". eurohoops.net. 9 September 2017. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  21. ^ "Michael Jordan – College stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-07.
  22. ^ a b "Dirk Nowitzki National and High School Stats, Dallas Mavericks - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  23. ^ "Alba Berlin – Dallas Mavericks 84–89". nba.com. 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  24. ^ "Dirk Nowitzki NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-10-10.
  25. ^ "Wilt Chamberlain – College stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-24.
  26. ^ "Julius Erving II College stats". basketball-reference.com.
  27. ^ "Kevin Durant". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  28. ^ "Shaquille O'Neal NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2016-10-18.
  29. ^ "Shaquille FIBA stats". archive.fiba.com. Archived from the original on 2023-11-05.
  30. ^ "Denver Nuggets – Partizan Belgrade 102–70". nba.com. 3 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  31. ^ "Denver Nuggets – Efes Pilsen 118–102". nba.com. 10 October 2006.
  32. ^ "Carmelo Anthony II College stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-24.
  33. ^ "Duncan Stats". Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  34. ^ "Moses Malone College stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-24.
  35. ^ "Olajuwon Stats". Archived from the original on 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  36. ^ "Dan Issel - All-Star Games - Totals". Sports-Reference. Archived from the original on 2010-06-10. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
  37. ^ "Jerusalem a Humbling Experience for the Bullets". washingtonpost.com. 9 September 1978.
  38. ^ "Fat Lady Sings For Israel, 98–97 – The Washington Post". washingtonpost.com. 8 September 1978.
  39. ^ "Bullets in China, Meet a Mountain – The Washington Post". washingtonpost.com. 29 August 1979. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  40. ^ "Elvin Hayes – College stats". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-14.
  41. ^ "Dominique Wilkins scored 29 points and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Soviets". apnews.com. 29 July 1988. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022.
  42. ^ "USSR – Atlanta Hawks 132–123, in Moscow". youtube.
  43. ^ "Dominique Wilkins College stats". Archived from the original on 2022-09-24.
  44. ^ "James Harden International Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
  45. ^ "Oklahoma City 97 - 89 CSKA Moscow". 2010-10-14.
  46. ^ "Houston Rockets 131 - 94 Shanghai Sharks". 2016-10-03.
  47. ^ "Houston Rockets 144 - 82 Shanghai Sharks". 2017-10-06.
  48. ^ "Houston Rockets 128 - 86 Shanghai Sharks". 2018-10-10.
  49. ^ "Houston Rockets 140 - 71 Shanghai Sharks". 2019-10-01.
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