10 curious facts nobody knows about the NBA
The NBA is a fascinating universe. The best basketball league in the world not only has the most talented players on each team, but also hides countless facts and curiosities that many fans are unaware of.
In recent years, remarkable anecdotes and surprising details from inside the league have been revealed through sports news sites.
Beyond the dazzling games, the legendary athletes, and the million-dollar contracts, the NBA also has its share of unusual records, life stories, and interesting moments.
Davis Bertans, the player with 9 fingers
Latvian-born Davis Bertans had a distinguished career in European basketball and made his NBA debut with the San Antonio Spurs in 2016. He later played for the Wizards, Mavericks, Thunder, and Hornets.
But what makes his story extraordinary is not just his shooting skills—it’s the fact that he became a professional basketball player despite losing part of a finger in a domestic accident as a teenager.
The rim height wasn’t always the same
In the early days, NBA rims stood at 3.05 meters high (10 feet). Over the years, the rim height was raised to 3.65 meters to increase the challenge for the players – before returning to the now universal 10 feet.
Shaquille O’Neal and the three-point rivalry
One of the most famous players of all time has a curious statistic linked to his three-point shooting.
First and foremost, it’s worth remembering that Shaquille O’Neal stood out for his play in the paint. O’Neal’s height and physicality allowed him to become a legend who reached his peak with the Lakers.
Yet, throughout his long career, he made only one three-pointer. That shot came in the 1995–96 season, playing for the Orlando Magic against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Kobe Bryant wasn’t a top pick
Kobe Bryant is considered one of the most iconic basketball players. However, long before he dazzled the world with his talent, Kobe participated in the 1996 Draft and wasn’t a priority.
Twelve teams passed on him (the 76ers, Raptors, Grizzlies, Bucks, Timberwolves, Celtics, Clippers, Nets, Mavericks, Pacers, Warriors, and Cavaliers), and he was selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, who immediately traded him to the Lakers. The rest, as they say, is history.
The biggest height difference on one team
The Washington Bullets once had both Muggsy Bogues and Manute Bol on their roster. Bol stood at 7’7″ (not 7’11” as sometimes misreported), while Bogues was only 5’3″.
Seeing the tallest and shortest players in NBA history on the same team was truly unique. Without a doubt, this is another piece of NBA news that always gets people talking.
The first MVP
The NBA introduced the Most Valuable Player award in the 1955–1956 season. This award is among the most prestigious, as it recognizes the best player of the year.
The first basketball player to win the MVP award was Bob Pettit of the St. Louis Hawks, setting the standard for the legends who followed.
The first NBA game wasn’t played in the U.S.
Unlike what most people believe, the very first NBA game took place in Canada. On November 1, 1946, the Toronto Huskies hosted the New York Knicks, marking the beginning of the league’s history.
The record that no one saw
In 1962, the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the New York Knicks 169–147. In that game, which seemed more like a Hollywood film than a game, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points for the Warriors, and curiously, that historic match was not televised, making it one of the league’s greatest “lost” moments.
The first woman on a coaching staff
In the 2014 season, the San Antonio Spurs made history by hiring Becky Hammon as an assistant coach—the first woman ever on an NBA coaching staff. Her presence opened new opportunities for women in the league.
The shortest contract in the NBA
In 2003, the Miami Heat signed Anthony Carter, but due to a paperwork issue, his contract lasted just one day, making it one of the briefest stints in league history. Truly unusual.
