Double-Double

A double-double in basketball occurs when a player achieves double-digit figures in two of the five main statistical categories during a game. Recording a double-double is an impressive feat, and the very best players do it on a daily basis.

The five statistical categories that can be included in a double-double are listed below:

• points (made shots can be worth 2 or 3 points);
• assists (passing the ball to a teammate that scores);
• rebounds (gaining possession of the ball after a missed shot);
• blocks (preventing an opposing player from scoring by swatting the ball away on a shot attempt);
• steals (taking the ball away from an opposing player).

A player that manages to post 10 or more of two out of the five categories listed above during the course of a game has achieved a double-double.

There are several different types of double-doubles, and some occur more often than others. It is more common for a player to achieve 10+ points, rebounds, or assists than it is for a player to compile double-digit blocks or steals. For example, a relatively normal double-double would look something like 10 points and 10 rebounds, while a 10 point and 10 steal game is considered a rare feat.

1. Triple doubles. In basketball, there are 5 major stat categories: points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks. A triple double is when a player achieves double digits in 3 of these categories during a game. The triple refers to the 3 categories and the double refers to double digits. Players who achieve triple doubles are usually very versatile, as they can have a huge impact on many aspects of the game.
2. Quadruple Double. A quadruple double in basketball is when a player gets 10 or more in four different statistical categories. The categories with which a player can achieve a quadruple double are points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. If a player gets 10 or more in any of four of those five categories, they have accomplished a quadruple double.
3. Quintuple Double. A quintuple double in basketball is when a player gets 10 or more stats in every basketball category: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
4. Average Double Doubles. Extremely talented players have a tendency to achieve a double-double on a game-to-game basis. This is known as averaging a double-double. It is reflected in the player’s season-wide statistics, with a player posting 10 points and 10 rebounds during most or all of the regular season having a seasonal average of 10 points and 10 rebounds per game.