Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Artis Gilmore overwhelmed opponents with a rare combination of towering size, strength, and remarkable efficiency, establishing himself as one of the most dominant centers of his era in both the ABA and NBA. A relentless rebounder and dependable interior scorer, he built a Hall of Fame career defined by consistency, durability, and an imposing presence in the paint.

Here’s a detailed profile of basketballer Artis Gilmore:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Artis Gilmore
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on September 21, 1949
  • Hometown: Chipley, Florida, USA
  • Height: 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters)
  • Weight: 240 pounds (109 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 5 inches (2.26 meters)
  • Shoe Size: Size 18 (US)
  • Number: 53 (primarily)
  • Position: Center
  • High School: Carver High School (Dothan, Alabama)
  • College:
    • Gardner-Webb Junior College (1967–1969)
    • Jacksonville University (1969–1971)
  • NBA/ABA Draft:
    • 1971 ABA Draft: Undrafted, signed with the Kentucky Colonels
    • 1976 NBA Draft: 7th round, 117th overall by the Chicago Bulls (rights retained following the ABA–NBA merger)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Kentucky Colonels (ABA, 1971–1976)
    • Chicago Bulls (1976–1982, 1987–1988)
    • San Antonio Spurs (1982–1987)
    • Boston Celtics (1988)
    • Arimo Bologna (Italy, 1988–1989)
  • Championship Rings: 1 (1975 ABA Championship with the Kentucky Colonels)
  • Kids: 5 children
  • Siblings: 9 siblings (he is the youngest of 10 children)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Artis Gilmore’s player archetype was a dominant low-post interior anchor, combining elite size with efficient scoring and reliable paint protection. Defensively, he served as a rim-protecting backline presence who controlled the glass, used positional strength to wall off drivers, and altered shots rather than chasing blocks. Offensively, Gilmore operated as a high-efficiency post finisher, leaning on deep seals, soft jump hooks, and quick drop-step power moves, while also thriving as a screener who generated easy baskets around the rim. His physical traits — standing 7-foot-2 with a massive wingspan, broad shoulders, and exceptional durability — allowed him to hold position against contact and dominate rebounding battles. The overall play style emphasized interior efficiency, disciplined defense, and methodical half-court control, making him one of the most consistent paint anchors of his era without needing high-volume touches.

Scouting Report

Artis Gilmore was one of those rare centers who could dominate a game without looking rushed, relying on balance, strength and impeccable timing instead of frantic activity. The first thing you notice is how effortlessly he established deep position. He didn’t wrestle defenders for every inch of space; he sealed them early, presented a huge target and finished with soft touch over either shoulder before help could arrive. When double teams came, he was composed enough to move the ball without panicking, keeping the offense flowing rather than forcing contested hooks into traffic. Defensively, his impact went well beyond blocked shots. Gilmore controlled the lane by holding his ground, taking away direct drives and making opponents rethink entries into the paint because they knew they’d have to finish over extraordinary length without giving him a chance to recover. He excelled in drop coverage long before the term became common, staying close enough to the rim to erase mistakes while rarely chasing himself out of position hunting highlights. The trade-off was that quicker lineups capable of pulling him away from the basket could reduce some of that influence, although his anticipation often compensated for any lack of lateral quickness. It’s easy to overlook how consistently he ended possessions by securing rebounds with strong hands instead of simply tipping the ball away, allowing his team to transition immediately rather than extending defensive possessions. His ideal role is obvious: anchor the defense, punish single coverage on the block, dominate the glass and provide a dependable interior presence that allows perimeter players to be more aggressive knowing the paint is protected behind them. To me, his game blended Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s effortless touch around the basket with Patrick Ewing’s physical control of the interior, though Gilmore was more interested in imposing order on a game than dazzling it with spectacular individual sequences.

Fun Facts

  • Artis Gilmore was a dominant center known for his shot-blocking, rebounding, and scoring efficiency.
  • He was a 6-time ABA All-Star, an NBA All-Star in 1982, and remains one of the most efficient shooters in professional basketball history.
  • Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, he is celebrated as one of the greatest centers in both the ABA and NBA.

Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Artis Gilmore
NBA.com — Artis Gilmore Bio
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame — Artis Gilmore