Basketball Reference Blog

Top 10 NBA Players of the 90s

Posted by Andrew Weiser on September 22, 2023

(last updated on October 6, 2025)

Ask basketball fans of a certain age their opinion on the best era in NBA history and you will be bound to hear some praise for the 1990s. They’ll tell you the game was more physical, it was the last decade dominated by traditional bigs, and that some of the greatest NBA players of the 90s were also some of the greatest players of all time.  

Let’s take a deeper look at that last point. Every era has their stars, from Bird and Magic in the 80s to Lebron and Steph in the 2010s. While generations of fans will always debate which eras, teams, and players were the best, one thing hoop heads of all ages should agree on is that the 90s were an important and exciting time in NBA history that produced some of the league’s most loved—and loathed—stars. 

Photo of Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Michael Jeffrey Jordan

(Mike, Air Jordan, M.J., His Airness, Money, Black Cat, Mr. June, G.O.A.T., Superman, Captain Marvel, Black Jesus)

Position: Shooting Guard and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-6, 198lb (198cm, 89kg)

Born: February 17, 1963 (Age: 60-216d) in Brooklyn, New York us

College: UNC

High School: Emsley A. Laney in Wilmington, North Carolina

Draft: Chicago Bulls, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1984 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 26, 1984

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009 (Full List)

Career Length: 15 years

23 12 45 23
+3
SUMMARY

Career

G

1072

PTS

30.1

TRB

6.2

AST

5.3

FG%

49.7

FG3%

32.7

FT%

83.5

eFG%

50.9

PER

27.9

WS

214.0

You saw this one coming from a mile away. Any discussion of the greatest NBA players of the 90s needs to start with the player who many consider to be the GOAT, Michael Jordan. While leading the Chicago Bulls to six titles in the decade, Jordan racked up five MVP awards, six Finals MVP awards, and seven scoring titles in the 90s. Jordan’s athleticism, creativity, strength, and speed combined with his notorious competitive drive produced a unique talent, the likes of which we may never see again. After a 15-year career, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009. 

Photo of Karl Malone

Karl Malone

Karl Anthony Malone ▪ Twitter: TheDeliverer_32

(The Mailman, King Karl)

Position: Power Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-9, 250lb (206cm, 113kg)

Born: July 24, 1963 (Age: 60-059d) in Summerfield, Louisiana us

College: Louisiana Tech

High School: Summerfield in Summerfield, Louisiana

Draft: Utah Jazz, 1st round (13th pick, 13th overall), 1985 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 25, 1985

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2010 (Full List)

Career Length: 19 years

32 32 11
+2
SUMMARY

Career

G

1476

PTS

25.0

TRB

10.1

AST

3.6

FG%

51.6

FG3%

27.4

FT%

74.2

eFG%

51.8

PER

23.9

WS

234.6

Not only is Karl Malone one of the best basketball players of the 90s, he is arguably the greatest power forward of all time. The two-time MVP spent 18 of his illustrious 19-season career with the Utah Jazz. His 36,928 career points place him 3rd in NBA history and make him the top scorer of all the best NBA players of the 90s. Malone never missed the playoffs in his entire career and his playoff stats are impressive, averaging 24.7 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per playoff game. Despite this, he was never able to win a title, ending his Hall of Fame career ringless in 2004. 

Photo of David Robinson

David Robinson

David Maurice Robinson ▪ Twitter: DavidtheAdmiral

(The Admiral, D-Rob)

Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Left

7-1, 235lb (216cm, 106kg)

Born: August 6, 1965 (Age: 58-046d) in Key West, Florida us

College: United States Naval Academy

High School: Osbourn Park in Manassas, Virginia

Draft: San Antonio Spurs, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1987 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: November 4, 1989

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009 (Full List)

Career Length: 14 years

50
SUMMARY

Career

G

987

PTS

21.1

TRB

10.6

AST

2.5

FG%

51.8

FG3%

25.0

FT%

73.6

eFG%

51.9

PER

26.2

WS

178.7

Nicknamed The Admiral for serving in the U.S. Navy between his college and NBA career, Hall of Famer David Robinson should be on any list of the top NBA Players of the 90s. The 7’1” big man dominated the decade from beginning to end, starting with a Rookie of the Year award in the 1989-90 season and ending with an NBA championship in 1999. In between he made four All-NBA teams and eight of his 10 total All-Star teams in the 90s. 

Photo of Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon

Pronunciation: \ah-KEEM ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn\

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon ▪ Twitter: DR34M

(formerly Akeem Olajuwon)

(The Dream, Little Moses)

Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right

7-0, 255lb (213cm, 115kg)

Born: January 21, 1963 (Age: 60-243d) in Lagos, Nigeria ng

College: Houston

High School: Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria

Draft: Houston Rockets, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1984 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 27, 1984

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2008 (Full List)

Career Length: 18 years

34 34 34
+2
SUMMARY

Career

G

1238

PTS

21.8

TRB

11.1

AST

2.5

FG%

51.2

FG3%

20.2

FT%

71.2

eFG%

51.3

PER

23.6

WS

162.8

At the height of the Bulls’ dynastic championship performance through the mid-90s, Hakeem Olajuwon’s Houston Rockets were the only other franchise able to win an NBA title, taking home two in 1994 and 1995. Olajuwon was named the Finals MVP in both cases. If that’s not enough to cement his place as one of the best NBA players of the 90s, he averaged at least two blocks and two steals in five separate seasons. No other player in league history did so more than once. 

Photo of Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen

Scottie Maurice Pippen ▪ Twitter: ScottiePippen

(Formerly known as Scotty Maurice Pippen)

(Pip, Scott, Batman, Robin)

Position: Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-8, 210lb (203cm, 95kg)

Born: September 25, 1965 (Age: 57-361d) in Hamburg, Arkansas us

Relatives: Nephew Kavion Pippen; Son Scotty Pippen Jr.

College: University of Central Arkansas

High School: Hamburg in Hamburg, Arkansas

Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 1987 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: November 7, 1987

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2010 (Full List)

Career Length: 17 years

33 33 33
+2
SUMMARY

Career

G

1178

PTS

16.1

TRB

6.4

AST

5.2

FG%

47.3

FG3%

32.6

FT%

70.4

eFG%

50.4

PER

18.6

WS

125.1

Ah, the Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman. But Scottie Pippen is so much more than that; he is unquestionably one of the best basketball players of the 90s in his own right. He made eight-straight NBA All-Defensive First Teams from 1992 to 1999 and seven All-Star honors throughout the 90s, including three consecutive seasons from 1994 to 1996 where he earned All-NBA First Team honors. 

Photo of John Stockton

John Stockton

John Houston Stockton

(Stock)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-1, 170lb (185cm, 77kg)

Born: March 26, 1962 (Age: 61-179d) in Spokane, Washington us

Relatives: Sons David Stockton, Michael Stockton

College: Gonzaga

High School: Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, Washington

Draft: Utah Jazz, 1st round (16th pick, 16th overall), 1984 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 26, 1984

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009 (Full List)

Career Length: 19 years

12 12
+1
SUMMARY

Career

G

1504

PTS

13.1

TRB

2.7

AST

10.5

FG%

51.5

FG3%

38.4

FT%

82.6

eFG%

54.6

PER

21.8

WS

207.7

With 15,806 career dimes, John Stockton is the NBA’s all-time leader in assists. Spending his entire 19-year career with the Utah Jazz, Stockton led the league in the category nine times. Other than Jordan and Pippen, no duo of the top NBA players of the 90s ruled the decade like Stockton and teammate Karl Malone. Although the two never missed the playoffs together, the Jazz only made two finals appearances in 1997 and 1998, losing both series to the Chicago Bulls.

Photo of Patrick Ewing

Patrick Ewing

Pronunciation: \YOO-wing\

Patrick Aloysius Ewing

(Big Pat, Hoya Destroya, Pat)

Position: Center and Power Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

7-0, 240lb (213cm, 108kg)

Born: August 5, 1962 (Age: 61-047d) in Kingston, Jamaica jm

Relatives: Son Patrick Ewing

College: Georgetown

High School: Cambridge Rindge & Latin in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Draft: New York Knicks, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1985 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 26, 1985

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2008 (Full List)

Career Length: 17 years

33 33 6
+2
SUMMARY

Career

G

1183

PTS

21.0

TRB

9.8

AST

1.9

FG%

50.4

FG3%

15.2

FT%

74.0

eFG%

50.5

PER

21.0

WS

126.4

Drafting first overall in the NBA Draft can be a high-risk/high-reward proposition. It’s safe to say by selecting Georgetown center Patrick Ewing at the top of the 1985 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks realized the high-reward outcome of that equation. Not only would Ewing go on to become one of the greatest NBA players of the 90s, but he is arguably the greatest player ever for the Knicks. 

Photo of Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley

Charles Wade Barkley

(Sir Charles, The Round Mound of Rebound, The Chuckster, The Chuck Wagon, The Prince of Pizza, The Incredible Bulk, The Leaning Tower of Pizza, Bread Truck, Boy Gorge, Love Boat, Food World, The Crisco Kid, Wide Load from Leeds, Ton of Fun, Goodtime Blimp)

Position: Power Forward and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-6, 252lb (198cm, 114kg)

Born: February 20, 1963 (Age: 60-213d) in Leeds, Alabama us

College: Auburn

High School: Leeds in Leeds, Alabama

Draft: Philadelphia 76ers, 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 1984 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 26, 1984

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2006 (Full List)

Career Length: 16 years

34 32 34 4
+3
SUMMARY

Career

G

1073

PTS

22.1

TRB

11.7

AST

3.9

FG%

54.1

FG3%

26.6

FT%

73.5

eFG%

55.8

PER

24.6

WS

177.2

While younger NBA fans may be more familiar with the antics of Charles Barkley on television broadcasts racing Kenny Smith in between game analysis, 90s NBA fans remember the dominant force for the Sixers, Suns, and Rockets who was one of the best basketball players of the 90s. The 1992-93 MVP is the league’s all-time leader in rebounds for a player 6’6” or shorter with 12,546 career boards. 

Photo of Clyde Drexler

Clyde Drexler

Clyde Austin Drexler

(Clyde the Glide)

Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-7, 210lb (201cm, 95kg)

Born: June 22, 1962 (Age: 61-091d) in New Orleans, Louisiana us

College: Houston

High School: Sterling in Houston, Texas

Draft: Portland Trail Blazers, 1st round (14th pick, 14th overall), 1983 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 28, 1983

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2004 (Full List)

Career Length: 15 years

22 22 22 22
+3
SUMMARY

Career

G

1086

PTS

20.4

TRB

6.1

AST

5.6

FG%

47.2

FG3%

31.8

FT%

78.8

eFG%

49.5

PER

21.1

WS

135.6

Not only is Clyde Drexler one of the greatest NBA players of the 90s, he is considered one of the greatest guards in the entire history of the sport. Though unfortunately overshadowed by Michael Jordan in the Eastern Conference, Drexler was one of the best shooting guards of the 90s in the Western Conference. He is the Portland Trail Blazers’ all-time leader in games played, minutes, field goals, offensive rebounds, and steals. He won an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets in 1995. 

Photo of Reggie Miller

Reggie Miller

Reginald Wayne Miller ▪ Twitter: ReggieMillerTNT

(Uncle Reg, The Knick Killer, Killa, Funk, Mighty Mouth, Freddy)

Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-7, 185lb (201cm, 83kg)

Born: August 24, 1965 (Age: 58-028d) in Riverside, California us

College: UCLA

High School: Riverside Polytech in Riverside, California

Draft: Indiana Pacers, 1st round (11th pick, 11th overall), 1987 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: November 6, 1987

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2012 (Full List)

Career Length: 18 years

31 31
+1
SUMMARY

Career

G

1389

PTS

18.2

TRB

3.0

AST

3.0

FG%

47.1

FG3%

39.5

FT%

88.8

eFG%

54.4

PER

18.4

WS

174.4

In addition to being one of the top NBA players of the 90s, Reggie Miller has the bittersweet honor of being one of the greatest NBA players to never win a championship. Spending his entire 18-year career with the Indiana Pacers, the three-point specialist would have thrived in the modern game, leading the league in threes made twice, in 1992-93 and 1996-97. His 2,560 career threes place him 6th all time. Practically automatic from the line, Miller was a career .888 free throw shooter. 

Continuing the rise of the NBA sparked in the 1980s and preceding the explosion of basketball internationally in the 21st century, the 1990s helped usher in a new era of basketball and birthed the modern superstar. Any discussion of the greatest NBA players to play the game will naturally include some of the top NBA players of the 90s like Michael Jordan, Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen.

FAQs

Who are the top NBA players of the 90s?

Conventional wisdom would name Michael Jordan the greatest player of the 90s, and it’s tough to argue against his six titles and six Finals MVP awards. However, the 90s were an important decade filled with some of the greatest players ever. John Stockton’s steals and assists records still stand, as does Hakeem Olajuwon’s blocks record. Three-point shooters like Reggie Miller helped transition the game to where it is now and internationally born stars like Patrick Ewing helped popularize basketball worldwide in the 1990s. 

This entry was posted on Friday, September 22nd, 2023 at 4:56 pm and is filed under Top 10 Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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