Washington Wizards all-time leading scorers: Elvin Hayes tops the list, Beal in second

The Washington Wizards are an NBA team based in Washington, D.C., but they did not originally start there. Founded in 1961, the franchise moved through several cities before settling in Washington in 1973. The 1970s marked their most successful period, featuring many outstanding players. In this article, basketscores.com reviews the Washington Wizards' all-time leading scorers.

Washington Wizards all-time leading scorers

The list is ranked by total points scored for the team.

5. Wes Unseld (10,624 points)

Wes Unseld is one of the most unique centers in NBA history. Despite being only 2.01m tall (shorter than most centers of his era), he dominated the paint thanks to his exceptional strength and team-first playing style. He was one of the key figures in the Wizards’ success during the 1970s.

His scoring numbers were not particularly high, averaging around 10.8 points per game, but his efficiency was strong. Unseld scored mainly from offensive rebounds, often finishing immediately using his strength to outmuscle defenders.

His greatest strength was his passing, especially long outlet passes that could quickly launch fast breaks. In addition, his screens were extremely physical, often compared to hitting a “wall,” creating large spaces for scorers like Elvin Hayes and Bob Dandridge.

4. John Wall (10,879 points)

As one of the Wizards’ modern stars, John Wall ranks among the franchise’s top scorers, averaging 19.0 points per game. He possessed elite speed and was once considered one of the fastest players in the league with the ball. His coast-to-coast plays were a major highlight of his game. Despite being a point guard, he also had strong dunking ability.

However, Wall was primarily a playmaker. He excelled at creating opportunities with no-look passes or threading the ball through tight spaces. He often drew defenders and kicked the ball out to shooters like Bradley Beal or Otto Porter Jr. Over his time with the Wizards, he consistently ranked among the league leaders in assists, averaging 9.2 assists per game.

3. Jeff Malone (11,083 points)

Playing mainly in the 1980s, Jeff Malone was one of the team’s best mid-range scorers. During his seven seasons with the franchise, he averaged about 20.2 points per game. Notably, in the 1989/90 season, he averaged 24.3 points before moving to the Utah Jazz.

Malone’s standout ability was scoring in difficult situations, especially off-balance shots. Michael Jordan once noted that Malone was one of the toughest players to defend because he could still score even under heavy pressure. He was also an excellent free-throw shooter, consistently recording percentages above 87% during his career.

2. Bradley Beal (15,391 points)

Far ahead of most players on this list, Bradley Beal is one of the highest scorers in franchise history. He averaged 22.1 points per game and even exceeded 30 points per game in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. Beal also holds the team record for most three-pointers made (1,514).

One of his signature moves is the step-back jumper. He uses quick dribbles to create space before stepping back for a clean shot, making it very difficult for defenders to contest. In his later seasons with the Wizards, Beal not only scored but also helped control the pace of the game.

1. Elvin Hayes (15,551 points)

Elvin Hayes is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer and one of its greatest players. Over nine seasons with the team, he averaged 21.3 points per game. He was the main offensive option during the Wizards’ 1978 NBA championship run, averaging 21.8 points and 13.3 rebounds in the playoffs.

Although he played as a power forward, Hayes had an excellent mid-range shot. His high release point made his shots very difficult to block, even against taller defenders. In addition, his durability was remarkable. Over a 16-year career, he missed only nine games, an extraordinary record for a player competing in the paint.

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