Billy Cunningham Declares Wilt Chamberlain the Greatest Basketball Player of All Time
In a bold declaration that will no doubt spark debate across the basketball world, Hall of Famer Billy Cunningham has officially named Wilt Chamberlain the greatest basketball player of all time. The former Philadelphia 76ers star and NBA champion made the statement during a recent interview, putting an emphatic stamp on a legacy that has long stood at the center of GOAT discussions.
“Wilt wasn’t just dominant—he was superhuman,” Cunningham said. “People talk about stats, rings, influence. Wilt had it all, and he did it in a way no one before or since has replicated.”
Cunningham, who played alongside Chamberlain during the late 1960s, witnessed firsthand the unparalleled blend of size, strength, skill, and intelligence that defined Wilt’s game. “You can throw numbers out all day—100 points in a game, averaging over 50 a season, leading the league in assists as a center. But even beyond that, Wilt made the game look unfair. He was a phenomenon.”
While the GOAT conversation often circles around names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Cunningham insists that Wilt’s impact remains unmatched.
“Jordan was electrifying. LeBron is a freight train. Kareem had the skyhook. But Wilt? Wilt was physics-defying,” he added. “People like to discount him because of the era he played in, but let me tell you something—if Wilt played today, he’d still dominate. He’d still be the best player on the court.”
Cunningham’s statement adds to the growing number of legends and analysts re-evaluating Chamberlain’s place in NBA history. While Wilt’s resume includes two NBA championships, four MVPs, 11 rebounding titles, and the highest scoring average for a single season (50.4 PPG), his influence goes far beyond the box score.
“He changed the rules,” Cunningham noted. “The paint was widened, offensive goaltending was introduced, inbounding rules changed—all because of Wilt. That’s impact.”
Though the debate will continue to rage on barstools, television panels, and social media feeds, Billy Cunningham has spoken his truth. For one NBA legend who knew Wilt not just as a teammate but as a friend, the answer is clear:
“Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest basketball player who’s ever lived. Full stop.”
