Basketball is a very physical sport and the strongest players in the NBA all thrive when the game gets tough.
From posting up on a 7-foot center to leaping several feet in the air to grab a rebound, it’s difficult to be successful in the NBA unless you are strong.
To measure player strength, we are using bench press repetitions at 185 pounds (just under 84 kilograms) from the NBA Draft combine, which has been an annual event since 1987.
Joey Graham is the strongest player in NBA history as he recorded 26 bench press reps at the NBA Draft Combine…
We’ll take a look at the top 10 strongest players in NBA history, according to bench press reps at the NBA Draft Combine, as well as the top 10 strongest players that are currently in the league according to that same metric.
Here are the strongest players in the NBA:
| Rank | Player | Bench Press Reps | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Joey Graham |
26 | 2005-2013 |
| 2 |  Shelden Williams |
25 | 2006-2011 |
| 3 |  Kris Humphries |
22 | 2004-2016 |
| 4 |  Emeka Okafor |
22 | 2004-2018 |
| 5 |  Udonis Haslem |
22 | 2002-2021 |
| 6 |  Trevor Booker |
22 | 2010-2018 |
| 7 |  Blake Griffin |
22 | 2009-2022 |
| 8 |  Al Horford |
20 | 2007-Present |
| 9 | Kevin Love |
18 | 2008-Present |
| 10 | James Harden |
17 | 2009-Present |
Based on Bench Press Reps at the NBA Draft Combine
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Joey Graham | 26 | 2005-2013Joey Graham is the strongest player in NBA history as he recorded 26 bench press reps at the NBA Draft Combine.
Graham spent eight years in the league, most notably with the Toronto Raptors. While he was never a consistent starter in the NBA, Graham was known for his athleticism and physical build.
Shelden Williams | 25 | 2006-2011Shelden Williams is not far behind Graham on the list of strongest players in NBA history. The former fifth overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks did 25 reps on bench press at the NBA Draft Combine.
Williams had a successful rookie season with the Hawks, playing in 81 games and averaging five points and five boards per game. He was a journeyman for the last few years of his career.
Kris Humphries | 22 | 2004-2016There’s a slight drop off in bench press reps to Kris Humphries with 22, who is still one of the strongest players in NBA history.
Humphries was picked by the Utah Jazz, but had his best years of his career with the Brooklyn Nets. During his time with the Nets, he was briefly married to Kim Kardashian.
Emeka Okafor | 22 | 2004-2018Emeka Okafor also had 22 bench press reps and he is one of the strongest players in NBA history.
Okafor was a former second overall pick by the Charlotte Bobcats, now the Charlotte Hornets. Okafor played well-over 600 games in his career and he was a double-double machine on the court, despite his career being overshadowed by injuries.
Udonis Haslem | 22 | 2002-2021Udonis Haslem is next up on our list of strongest players in NBA history. He spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Miami Heat and he is one of the oldest players in NBA history.
Haslem won three NBA Championships with the Heat and he is the franchise’s all-time leading rebounder. Haslem’s loyalty and longevity in the NBA is commendable.
Trevor Booker | 22 | 2010-2018Former first round pick Trevor Booker recorded 22 bench press reps at the NBA Draft Combine, making him one of the strongest players in NBA history.
The 6-foot-8 power forward was mainly a role player during his time with five NBA teams, most notably the Washington Wizards. While his career didn’t last super long, he was productive given his role.
Blake Griffin | 22 | 2009-2022
Los Angeles Clippers legend Blake Griffin is next on our list of strongest players in NBA history.
The first overall pick in 2009 took the league by storm, winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award and ushering in the “Lob City” era in Los Angeles. Griffin retired as the Clippers’ second all-time leading scorer and a six-time NBA All-Star.
Al Horford | 20 | 2007-PresentThe veteran Al Horford is one of the strongest players in NBA history. He is currently in his second stint with the Boston Celtics.
He finally won his first NBA title in 2024 with the Celtics. Horford is the only player in NBA history with at least 14,000 points, 8,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, 1,300 blocks and 900 3-pointers.
Kevin Love | 18 | 2008-PresentAfter a successful college basketball career at UCLA, Love did 18 bench press reps at the NBA Draft Combine, which makes him one of the strongest players in NBA history.
Love is a dominant rebounder in the league, especially when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers. Love was a key part of the 2016 NBA Championship Cavaliers’ team.
James Harden | 17 | 2009-PresentJames Harden rounds out our list of top 10 strongest players in NBA history. He is known for his scoring ability and signature step-back jump shot.
The 10-time All-star has spent time with five NBA teams, most notably the Houston Rockets. Harden was the 2018 NBA MVP when he was in Houston.
| Rank | Player | Bench Press Reps | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Horford |
20 | 2007-Present |
| 2 | Kevin Love |
18 | 2008-Present |
| 3 | James Harden |
17 | 2009-Present |
| 4 |  Victor Oladipo |
15 | 2013-Present |
| 5 |  Jimmy Butler |
14 | 2011-Present |
| 6 |  Damian Lillard |
13 | 2012-Present |
| 7 |  Russell Westbrook |
12 | 2008-Present |
| 8 | Bam Adebayo |
12 | 2017-Present |
| 9 | Stephen Curry |
10 | 2009-Present |
| 10 |  Donovan Mitchell |
10 | 2017-Present |
Based on Bench Press Reps at the NBA Draft Combine
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Al Horford | 20 | 2007-PresentAl Horford is the strongest player in the NBA today as he completed 20 bench press reps during the NBA Draft Combine.
Horford, a five-time All-Star and 2024 NBA Champion, is celebrated for his versatility, leadership and defensive ability. He’s been a consistent contributor as a two-way big man over his 17 years in the league.
Kevin Love | 18 | 2008-PresentKevin Love of the Heat is not far behind Horford on the list of strongest players in the NBA today.
The versatile big man is known for his rebounding, 3-point shooting and leadership. Love is a five-time All-Star and he won the 2016 NBA title with the Cavaliers as they beat the Golden State Warriors.
James Harden | 17 | 2009-PresentJames Harden is on the list of top 10 strongest players in the NBA today after he recorded 17 bench press reps.
Harden, who was the 2018 NBA MVP, is one of the most prolific scorers and playmakers in the NBA currently. Harden has led the league in scoring and assists while revolutionizing offensive basketball.
Victor Oladipo | 15 | 2013-PresentVictor Oladipo has struggled with injuries recently, which is why he is a free agent, but he is still one of the strongest players in the NBA today.
The two-time All-Star and Most Improved Player in 2018, Oladipo’s career has been highlighted by explosive scoring and elite defense. Despite the injuries, he has remained a resilient and impactful player.
Jimmy Butler | 14 | 2011-PresentJimmy Butler just sneaks inside the top five of our strongest players in the NBA today list.
The six-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals participant is known for his tenacity, leadership and clutch performances. Butler has led multiple teams to deep playoff runs, including the Heat in 2020 and 2023.
Damian Lillard | 13 | 2012-PresentDamian Lillard, the 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year and a seven-time All-Star, is up next on our list of strongest players in the NBA today.
Lillard is one of the best scorers and clutch performers in the league. While he plays for the Milwaukee Bucks now, he is a franchise legend for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Russell Westbrook | 12 | 2008-PresentRussell Westbrook is also included in the top 10 strongest players in the NBA today list.
Westbrook currently plays for the Denver Nuggets, but his best years were with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he won the 2017 NBA MVP. Westbrook is a two-time scoring champion and he is known for triple-double dominance.
Bam Adebayo | 12 | 2017-PresentHeat big man Bam Adebayo is included on our list of the strongest players in the NBA today.
Adebayo is known for his elite defense, playmaking and versatility, which has helped him become a two-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist. Adebayo has been pivotal in helping the Heat to multiple deep playoff runs.
Steph Curry | 10 | 2009-PresentSteph Curry, one of the most revolutionary basketball players ever and one of the richest players in NBA history, is on the list of strongest players in the NBA today.
The four-time NBA Champion with the Warriors and two-time NBA MVP is the all-time leader in career 3-pointers. He was the first player to reach 4,000 career 3-pointers.
Donovan Mitchell | 10 | 2017-PresentRounding out our list of strongest players in the NBA today is Donovan Mitchell of the Cavaliers.
Mitchell has become a star in the NBA as a prolific scorer and clutch performer. He has explosive athleticism, which has helped propel his teams, despite him still being early in his NBA career.
The strongest player in the NBA right now is Al Horford of the Boston Celtics. At the 2007 NBA Draft Combine, Horford completed 20 bench press reps at 185 pounds, which makes him the strongest player in the NBA today.
The veteran Horford has had a legendary career as he recently won his first NBA title in 2024 with the Celtics.
The average strength of NBA players varies by position. If we measure strength using bench press reps recorded at the NBA Draft Combine, power forwards and centers tend to be the strongest positions as they average 11-13 reps. Guards average around 9-10 bench press reps at the NBA Draft Combine.
There is not conclusive evidence out there that says that the average strength of NBA players has changed over the years. While players are generally more athletic now and technological advancement has bled into sports, it would not be a shock if the average strength of NBA players has increased recently.
LeBron James did not participate in the bench press at the NBA Draft Combine. While he is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, it is difficult to gauge his true strength since he did not do the bench press at the NBA Draft Combine.
The NBA Draft Combine was not an event when Michael Jordan was drafted. Therefore, it is difficult to determine Michael Jordan’s true strength, despite him being one of the best basketball players to ever live.
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