When we talk about greatness in sports, there's one shiny symbol that always seems to rise above the rest: championship rings. They're more than just jewelry. They represent legacy, grit, sacrifice, and moments frozen in time. In the NBA, especially, rings often become the highest measurement of a player's success. 

But the question remains, who has the most NBA rings? And how many other sports legends like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes have?

In this blog, we’ll dig a little deeper into the legends of basketball and beyond, breaking down the ring counts, stories behind the championships, and what these triumphs truly mean

Who Has the Most NBA Rings?

Let’s start with the king of all championship collections in NBA history, Bill Russell.

Bill Russell: 11 Rings

Yes, you read that right. Bill Russell, the iconic Boston Celtics center, holds 11 NBA championship rings, a record that remains untouched even decades after his retirement. Between 1957 and 1969, Russell dominated the basketball court and the league. He was the cornerstone of a Celtics dynasty, winning titles in all but two of his 13 seasons.

Russell's impact goes far beyond numbers. He was a defensive force, a leader, and a fierce competitor. In today’s era of superteams and player movement, his loyalty and consistent excellence with one franchise stand out even more.

Bill Russell: 11 Rings

How Many Rings Does Tom Brady Have?

No discussion about championship rings is complete without mentioning the man who turned winning into an art form. Let’s talk about Tom Brady, the man who redefined the quarterback position. Brady holds an astonishing seven Super Bowl rings, the most by any player in NFL history. 

From the early 2000s to his final championship in 2021, his career spanned over two decades of dominance.

Tom Brady Rings

How Many Rings Does Michael Jordan Have?

Michael Jordan needs no introduction. He is the benchmark against which all basketball greatness is measured. Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Two three-peats. Unbeaten in the Finals. Multiple MVPs. Clutch moments. Game-winners. MJ defined an era.

Jordan never lost in the Finals. Every time he reached the big stage, he closed the deal. Six appearances, six wins. Perfection.

Michael Jordan Rings

How Many Rings Did Kobe Have?

The Black Mamba, the legend, the relentless force: Kobe Bryant, one of the most beloved and iconic athletes in sports history, earned five NBA championship rings during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kobe’s rings represent different phases of his career. The first three came during the early years as part of a dominant duo with Shaq. The last two, which he won as the leader of a new-look Lakers squad, solidified his status as a true all-time great.

Did Kobe Rings

How Many Rings Does LeBron Have?

LeBron James, often mentioned in the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) conversation, has four NBA championship rings. Each ring tells a different story. The back-to-back titles with Miami cemented his place as a winner. The 2016 ring with Cleveland, where he led a historic 3-1 comeback, is often considered his crowning achievement. And the 2020 title in the NBA bubble during the pandemic proved his longevity and leadership.

Over two decades in the NBA, LeBron has done it all: four-time MVP, all-time scoring leader, and Olympic gold medalist.

LeBron Rings

How Many Rings Does Shaq Have?

Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant big men to ever play the game, has four NBA championship rings. At his peak, Shaq was unstoppable. A true force in the paint, he paired strength with agility like no other center. His partnership with Kobe led to a Lakers three-peat, and his leadership helped a young Dwyane Wade win his first title in Miami.

While this legend has collected enough championship rings, he is also a big fan of Solomon’s flashy diamond pendant collection. Inside Scoop: He is a regular at the Solomon and Co., Lewisville, Texas.

Shaq Rings

How Many Rings Does Curry Have?

Stephen Curry changed the game. Period. The man who made the three-pointer a weapon of mass destruction now also boasts a championship. With his insane shooting range and leadership, he created one of the most successful teams in recent memory. His 2022 championship, where he was named Finals MVP, was especially sweet, proving he could win again after a brief team rebuild.

From underdog to dynasty builder, Curry's four rings are a testament to his impact on basketball.

Curry Rings

How Many Rings Does Mahomes Have?

Switching sports for a second, let's look at one of football’s brightest stars, Patrick Mahomes. While not an NBA player, his rise has been so meteoric that fans often compare his early success to that of basketball’s greatest.

As of 2025, Mahomes has 3 Super Bowl rings. With no-look passes, creativity, a cannon arm, and poise under pressure, Mahomes is rewriting the quarterback legacy playbook. His potential to climb higher on the all-time list is very real, and fans already consider him the face of the new NFL era.

Mahome Rings

How Many Rings Does Kyrie Irving Have?

Kyrie Irving—a magician with the basketball and one of the most gifted point guards in NBA history. While Kyrie has had a rollercoaster career filled with incredible talent, injuries, and controversy, that 2016 ring puts him in an elite class of players who’ve come through on the biggest stage.   

That shot over Steph Curry in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals? Iconic. Though Kyrie only has one ring, that single moment has immortalized him in NBA lore.

Kyrie Irving Rings

Players With the Most Championship Rings (NBA + NFL)

 

Player

Championship Rings

Years Won

League

Bill Russell

11

1957, 1959–1966, 1968, 1969

NBA

Tom Brady

7

2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020

NFL


Michael Jordan

6

1991–1993, 1996–1998

NBA

Kobe Bryant

5

2000–2002, 2009, 2010

NBA

LeBron James

4

2012, 2013, 2016, 2020

NBA

Stephen Curry

4

2015, 2017, 2018, 2022

NBA

Shaquille O’Neal

4

2000–2002, 2006

NBA 

Patrick Mahomes

3

2019, 2022, 2023

NFL

Kyrie Irving

1

2016

NBA


Rings Don’t Lie—But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Championship rings are a measure of success, but they’re not the only ones. Legends like Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson never won rings but inspired generations. 

Others, like Robert Horry, have more rings than Jordan but weren’t the focal points.

Still, there’s something magical about that moment when a player finally earns the title of “champion.” It’s the peak of blood, sweat, sacrifice—and in some cases, destiny.

So, whether you admire Michael Jordan’s six-for-six Finals record, the excellence of LeBron James, or the unmatched dominance of Bill Russell, one thing’s clear: Championship rings may be small in size, but they carry the weight of greatness.