Sweatiest Basketball Players to Play in the NBA

We all know that the NBA is a physical, high-contact sport, where defenders often collide with opposing offensive players, typically in a hurry back to block a drive to the basket or an easy layup opportunity.

And as the sport of basketball is a competitive, high-contact, high-impact game, sweating while playing the game is only natural. In fact, sweating plays such an integral factor into the game, that we’ve even discussed the best ways to avoid it.

But, if you’re just casually wondering who are some of the sweatiest basketball players to play in the NBA, then fear not, because below we are going to look at some of the sweatiest NBA players to ever play the game.

Why do NBA Players Sweat so Much?

NBA players typically play between 39 to 42 minutes of basketball per game.  During this time, a player is expected to play at a high level and one that requires constant motion between offense and defense. 

This back-and-forth nature of the game, coupled with the intensity of play will raise an NBA players internal body temperature.  As a means to regulate this increase in temperature, their body’s will begin to produce excess sweat.

In addition, whereas other sports, particularly baseball and football, have many stoppages and time between plays, basketball simply does not.   In a game of basketball, plays between offense and defense continue without many timeouts or stoppages. 

This continuous level of play naturally increases a player’s internal body temperature.  That is why, so often, we see excessive beads of sweat pouring from a player’s forehead.  It is mainly due to the nature of the sport and the players body reacting to the exertion of the game.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal was one of the sweatiest NBA players to play the game. Standing in at 7’1″ and a formidable 325 pounds, Shaquille O’Neal was a force to be reckoned with back in his days in the NBA.

Currently a sports analyst on Inside the NBA, Shaq is widely regarded as one of the best basketball players and centers of all time. A four-time NBA champion, Shaquille O’Neal played for six teams over his 19-year NBA career.

After playing college basketball at LSU, Shaq was drafted by the Orlando Magic with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft. He would go on to win Rookie of the Year in 1992-93 and would lead the team to the 1995 NBA Finals.

However, after four years with the Orlando Magic, Shaq would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he would play with coaching great Phil Jackson and fellow superstar Kobe Bryant. Together, they would go on to win three consecutive NBA championships.

However, amid tensions between the two superstars, Shaq would be traded to the Miami Heat, where he would join another superstar, Dwayne Wade, winning the NBA championship in 2006.

After the Miami Heat, Shaq would briefly play for the Phoenix Suns, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Boston Celtics, before retiring from the NBA.

Charles Barkley

A fellow analyst of Shaq’s on Inside the NBA, Charles Barkley stood in at 6’4″ and 252 pounds. One of the most popular players to have played in the league, Barkley has a slew of nicknames attributed to him, including “Sir Charles”, “Chuck” and “the Round Mound of Rebound”.

Charles Barkley played 16 seasons in the NBA for three different teams. And although he was never able to secure an NBA championship ring, he was a dominant force beneath the basket and used his strength and aggressiveness to become one of the most dominant rebounders.

An All-American at Auburn University, Barkley was drafted with the fifth pick in the 1984 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, he would also lead the league in highest rebounding average in the 1986-87 season.

Michael Jordan

Any conversation surrounding the greatest NBA players of all time will invariably include Michael Jordan, the reigning greatest basketball player of all time.  And while Jordan may be better known for his buzzer beaters, NBA Finals championship wins, and otherworldly dunks, Jordan was also infamous for his beads of sweat dripping onto the basketball court.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft, Jordan has a long list of accomplishments and accolades to his basketball resume.  A 6-time NBA champion, 6-time NBA Finals MVP, 5-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 14-time NBA All-Star, to name just a few.

Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett is arguably one of the best power forwards of all-time. Spanning a 21-season career, Garnett played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Boston Celtics, and the Brooklyn Nets. Dubbed the “Big Ticket” and “KG” for his dunking abilities and athleticism, Garnett would enter the league in 1995 as the fifth overall pick.

And although Garnett would help the Minnesota Timberwolves to eight consecutive playoff appearances, he was unable to win a championship with them. Rather, when traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007, and playing alongside Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, he would secure his one and only NBA championship.

Patrick Ewing

A Jamaican-American basketball player and coach, Patrick Ewing was notorious for his excess sweat during NBA games. Having played the majority of his career for the New York Knicks, he finished his NBA career with brief stints playing for the Seattle SuperSonics and the Orlando Magic.

Patrick Ewing attended and played college basketball at Georgetown for four years, three of which his team reached the NCAA Championship Game. In 2008, ESPN designated Ewing as the 16th-greatest college basketball player of all time.

In his time in the NBA, Ewing was an eleven-time all-star and named to seven All-NBA teams. In addition, with the Knicks, he reached the NBA Finals twice but was unable to secure a championship win.

Chauncey Billups

The current basketball head coach for the Portland Trail Blazers, Chauncey Billups played 17-seasons in the NBA. Having played college basketball with the Colorado Buffaloes, he was selected third overall in the 1997 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.

Chauncey Billups was a five-time NBA All-Star, a three-time All-NBA selection, and a two-time NBA All-Defensive selection. In addition for playing for the Celtics, Billups played for the Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Detroit Pistons.

Nicknamed “Mr. Big Shot” for his ability to make late-game shots, Billups won the NBA Finals MVP award in 2004 after helping the Pistons beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

For his success in Detroit, the Pistons retired his jersey number.