Inbasketball, ablocked shot occurs when a defender deflects or stops afield goal attempt without committing afoul.[1] TheNational Basketball Association's (NBA) block title is awarded to the player with the highest blocks per game average in a given season. The block title was first recognized in the1973–74 season when statistics on blocks were first compiled.[2] To qualify for the blocks title, the player must appear in at least 70 percent of the season's games (58 games in typical 82-game season). However, a player who appears in fewer than the minimum games may qualify as annual blocks leader if his block total would have still given him the highest average, even had he appeared in the extra required games and recorded 0 blocks in these extra games. This has been the requirement since the2013–14 season.[3][4]
Mark Eaton holds the all-time records for total blocks (456) and blocks per game (5.56) in a season; both achieved in the1984–85 season.[2]Manute Bol holds the rookie records for total blocks and blocks per game when he had 397 and averaged 5.0 in the1985–86 season.[2] Among active players,Victor Wembanyama had the highest season block average (3.83) in the2024–25 season.
^In the 1974–75 season,Elmore Smith had the highest block total (216) but was second in block average (2.92).
^In the 1976–77 season,Kareem Abdul-Jabbar andElvin Hayes both had higher block totals (261 and 220 respectively) but they ranked second and third in block average (3.18 and 2.68 respectively).
^When Olajuwon arrived in the United States, the University of Houston incorrectly spelled his first name "Akeem". He used that spelling until March 9, 1991, when he announced that he would add an H.[30][31][32]
^In the 1990–91 season,David Robinson,Patrick Ewing andManute Bol all had higher block totals (320, 258 and 247 respectively) but they ranked second, third and fourth in block average (3.90, 3.19 and 3.01 respectively).
^In the 1996–97 season,Dikembe Mutombo had the highest block total (264) but was second in block average (3.30).
^In the 1997–98 season,Dikembe Mutombo andTheo Ratliff both had higher block totals (277 and 258 respectively) but they ranked second and fourth in block average (3.38 and 3.15 respectively).
^The 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games due to the league'slockout.[47] The qualification of this season's block title is to appear in at least 43 games (out of 50) or to have at least 61 blocks.[4]
^In the 2000–01 season,Theo Ratliff had only played in 50 games and ranked eighth in block total.Jermaine O'Neal andShawn Bradley both shared the highest total (228).
^In the 2003–04 season, Ratliff appeared in 85 games due to a mid-season trade.
^In the 2004–05 season, Kirilenko had only played in 41 games and ranked thirteenth in block total.Marcus Camby had the highest total (199).
^In the 2005–06 season,Andrei Kirilenko,Josh Smith andElton Brand all had higher block totals (220, 208 and 201 respectively) but they ranked second, fourth and fifth in block average (3.19, 2.60 and 2.54 respectively).
^In the 2010–11 season,Serge Ibaka,JaVale McGee andDwight Howard all had higher block totals (198, 193 and 186 respectively) but they ranked third, second and fourth in block average (2.41, 2.44 and 2.38 respectively).[63]
^The 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games due to the league'slockout.[65] The qualification of this season's block title is to appear in at least 56 games (out of 66) or to have at least 80 blocks.[4]
^In the 2013–14 season,Serge Ibaka andDeAndre Jordan both had higher block totals (219 and 203 respectively) but they ranked second and third in block average (2.7 and 2.5 respectively).[67]
^In the 2020–21 season, Myles Turner only played in 47 games and ranked second in block total.Rudy Gobert had the highest total (190).[73] Turner was recognized as the leader despite playing fewer than the required 51 games (70% of the season), as his average would still be 3.1 per game even if he played in the added games and not recorded a single block, which would remain higher than Gobert's 2.7.[3]
^In the 2022–23 season,Brook Lopez had the highest block total (193) but ranked third in block average (2.5).[75]
^In the 2024–25 season, Victor Wembanyama only played in 46 games but ranked first in block total.Walker Kessler had the highest average for qualifying players (2.4).[77] Wembanyama is recognized as the leader despite playing fewer than the required 58 games, as his average would still be 3.0 per game even if he played in the added games and not recorded a single block.
