Basketball has seen some incredible records over the years, from scoring milestones to triple-double achievements. But beyond the usual highlights, there are some truly bizarre records that make you stop and think, How did that even happen?
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From the longest shot ever made to a player fouling out in just a couple of minutes, here are the top 5 weirdest basketball records that you won’t believe.
1. Fastest Disqualification in an NBA Game
Getting disqualified from an NBA game usually takes time—six fouls don’t come easily. But Bubba Wells holds the unique (and weird) record for the fastest disqualification in NBA history.
How Fast Was It?
Wells, who played for the Dallas Mavericks, fouled out of a game in just 2 minutes and 43 seconds in 1997!
| Player | Time to Foul Out | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Bubba Wells | 2 minutes, 43 seconds | 1997 |
Why Did This Happen?
It wasn’t by accident. Mavericks coach Don Nelson used an unusual strategy against Dennis Rodman and the Bulls. Since Rodman was a terrible free-throw shooter, Nelson instructed Wells to foul him repeatedly, forcing him to the line. Unfortunately, Rodman made enough free throws to neutralize the strategy, and Wells was quickly disqualified.
2. The Longest Basketball Shot Ever Made
Making a half-court shot is tough, but imagine sinking a shot from the other end of the court! That’s exactly what Thunder Law did in 2016.
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How Far Was It?
Law, a Harlem Globetrotter, launched a shot from a ridiculous 109 feet, 9 inches (33.45 meters) away from the basket—far beyond the full length of an NBA court.
| Player | Shot Distance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder Law | 109 feet, 9 inches | 2016 |
Can This Ever Be Beaten?
It’s possible, but extremely unlikely. To put this in perspective, the average NBA three-pointer is 23 feet, 9 inches, meaning Law’s shot was nearly five times longer than a standard three-pointer.
3. Most Missed Free Throws in a Single Game
Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain were legendary players, but they were also famously bad at free throws. However, one of them holds an almost unbelievable record.
Who Missed the Most?
Wilt Chamberlain missed 22 free throws in a single game on December 8, 1967.
| Player | Free Throws Missed | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Wilt Chamberlain | 22 | 1967 |
How Did This Happen?
Despite missing all those free throws, Chamberlain still dominated the game, scoring 52 points and grabbing 37 rebounds. His free-throw struggles were legendary, but they never stopped him from being one of the greatest players of all time.
4. The Shortest Player to Ever Block a Shot
Blocking a shot in basketball is usually something for the tallest players—guys like Shaq, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or Dwight Howard. But one man defied all odds.
Who Was the Shortest Shot-Blocker?
Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history at 5 feet, 3 inches, blocked 39 shots in his career!
| Player | Height | Total Blocks |
|---|---|---|
| Muggsy Bogues | 5’3″ | 39 |
How Did He Do It?
Bogues was incredibly quick and had a 44-inch vertical jump, allowing him to block much taller players. In one of the most iconic moments, he blocked Patrick Ewing, a 7-footer!
5. A Game Without a Single Free Throw Attempt
NBA games are physical, and fouls are part of the game. But somehow, one historic game saw zero free-throw attempts.
When Did This Happen?
On November 4, 2022, a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers set a bizarre record—neither team attempted a single free throw in the entire first half.
| Game | Total Free Throws (First Half) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Thunder vs. Clippers | 0 | 2022 |
How Rare Is This?
This is nearly unheard of in modern basketball. Free throws are a major part of the game, but both teams played so cleanly that the refs barely had a reason to call fouls.
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Final Thoughts
Basketball is full of amazing moments, but some records are just plain weird. From fouling out in under three minutes to blocking shots at just 5’3″, these records prove that anything is possible on the court.