NBA Giants: The 10 Tallest NBA Players of All-Time
New Heights: The 10 Tallest Players in NBA History
Height is a huge benefit on the basketball court - but who are the tallest NBA players of all time?
Yao Ming, one of the tallest players in NBA history
Tall players have a distinct mixture of talents that make them a powerful force on the court, from blocking shots to snatching rebounds, and occasionally, even being great with the jump shot as well.
The league has seen its fair share of towering players throughout the years, each bringing his own unique style and approach to the game.
The 10 Tallest NBA Players - A Table
| Player | Height | Drafted By |
|---|---|---|
| Gheorghe Mureșan | 7 feet 7 inches (231 cm) | Washington Bullets (1993) |
| Manute Bol | 7 feet 7 inches (231 cm) | Washington Bullets (1985) |
| Yao Ming | 7 feet 6 inches (229 cm) | Houston Rockets (2002) |
| Shawn Bradley | 7 feet 6 inches (229 cm) | Philadelphia 76ers (1993) |
| Slavko Vraneš | 7 feet 6 inches (229 cm) | Undrafted |
| Tacko Fall | 7 feet 6 inches (229 cm) | Boston Celtics (Undrafted, 2019) |
| Gheorghe Mureșan | 7 feet 6 inches (229 cm) | Denver Nuggets (1993) |
| Sim Bhullar | 7 feet 5 inches (226 cm) | Sacramento Kings (Undrafted, 2014) |
| Rik Smits | 7 feet 4 inches (224 cm) | Indiana Pacers (1988) |
| Mark Eaton | 7 feet 4 inches (224 cm) | Utah Jazz (1982) |
In this article, we'll look in detail at the top 5 tallest NBA players of all-time, discussing their influence on basketball and what made them stand out aside from their height!
1. Gheorghe Muresan - 7 feet 7 inches
Career Highlight Stats
Averaged 9.8 points per game
Averaged 6.4 rebounds per game
He played with the Washington Bullets (the Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets
Gheorghe Muresan is the NBA's tallest player, standing at 7 feet, 7 inches.
He played with the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets throughout his NBA career, which lasted from 1993 to 2000. Luckily he missed the period in which the Nets were one of the worst NBA teams of all time!
With his towering stature, Muresan was a competent centre who averaged 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game during his stay in the league.
Muresan was born in Romania in 1971, and his height was caused by a pituitary gland disorder known as acromegaly.
Considering his size, Muresan made a name for himself in the NBA and soon became a crowd favourite.
He returned to his native Romania after retiring from the league and became a successful businessman.
2. Manute Bol - 7 feet 7 inches
Career Highlight Stats
Drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1985
39% of his three-point attempts came from beyond the arc
He played for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers
Manute Bol, a Sudanese-American basketball player, is tied with Gheorghe Muresan as the tallest player in NBA history at 7 feet, 7 inches.
Throughout his NBA career, Bol was a member of the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers.
Bol was known for his shooting ability, particularly from beyond the arc, making 39% of his three-point attempts from this spot.
Bol was born in Sudan in 1962 and began playing basketball in his early teens.
He was discovered by American scouts while playing in Egypt and was eventually drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1985.
Bol's size and shooting ability made him a unique player in the league, and he was beloved by fans for his gentle demeanor and humanitarian efforts.
After retiring from basketball, Bol continued to work as a philanthropist and activist, particularly for causes related to his native Sudan.
3. Yao Ming - 7 feet 6 inches
Career Highlight Stats
He spent his entire career with the Houston Rockets
Averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game
Two-time All-NBA Second Team member and eight-time NBA All-Star
Yao Ming, a retired Chinese basketball player, stands 7 feet 6 inches tall and is the third tallest player in NBA history.
Ming spent his entire NBA career with the Houston Rockets, from 2002 to 2011.
Ming was a league-leading force, averaging 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He was also a two-time All-NBA Second Team member and an eight-time NBA All-Star.
Ming was born in 1980 in Shanghai and began playing basketball at an early age.
He quickly gained notoriety in China and was chosen by the Houston Rockets as the team’s first overall pick in the NBA Draft of 2002.
Ming was one of the most well-liked players in the league and a formidable force due to his size and talent. He is considered one of the greatest Asian NBA players of all-time.
4. Shawn Bradley - 7 feet 6 inches
Career Highlight Stats
He played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks
Three-time NBA block leader- the top 15 all-time for career blocks
He was the second overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft
A former American basketball player, Shawn Bradley is the third-tallest player in NBA history at 7 feet 6 inches, along with Yao Ming.
Bradley played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks during his NBA career, which spanned from 1993 to 2005.
Bradley was known for his shooting ability and defensive prowess.
He was a three-time NBA block leader and remains in the top 15 all-time for career blocks.
He also holds the record for the most blocks in a game by a Mavericks player, with 10 blocks in a single game.
Bradley was born in Germany in 1972 and grew up in Utah. He began playing basketball at a young age and quickly stood out due to his height.
He played college basketball at Brigham Young University before being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the second overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft.
After retiring from the NBA in 2005, Bradley became involved in philanthropy and worked with various charitable organisations.
He also became an ambassador for the game of basketball, particularly in countries where the sport is still developing.
5. Slavko Vraneš - 7 feet 6 inches
Career Highlight Stats
He played for the New York Knicks during the 2006/7 season
He only appeared in two games, scoring one point
He was 7 feet 6 inches
Slavko Vraneš, a Montenegrin basketball player, is tied with Yao Ming and Shawn Bradley as the third-tallest player in NBA history at 7 feet 6 inches.
Vraneš played for the New York Knicks during the 2006-07 season and appeared in just two games, scoring one point.
Vraneš was born in Montenegro in 1983 and began playing basketball at a young age. He played professionally in Europe before being signed by the Knicks in 2006.
Despite his brief NBA career, Vraneš remains one of the tallest players in the history of the league.
Who Are the Tallest Players in NBA History?
Many famous basketball players have had a lasting impression on the NBA world.
These players have wielded their height as a formidable weapon, dominating their opponents with a unique set of skills that only height can afford.
From the shot-blocking prowess of Manute Bol to the shooting touch of Shawn Bradley, each of these giants has become a legend in their own right.
But their impact extends far beyond the hardwood.
These towering athletes have inspired countless others, showing that success is attainable through hard work and dedication.
They have proven that physical attributes alone do not determine one's fate and that with determination, anyone can reach their dreams and carve out their place in basketball history.
As we pay homage to the top 5 tallest NBA players of all-time, let us not only celebrate their achievements but also the lessons they have taught us.
Let us all strive to reach new heights, not only in the game of basketball but in all aspects of life.
Let us prove that our limitations are merely a state of mind. For in the end, it is not how tall we stand but how high we aim that truly matters.
Read more Top 5 lists on our NBA blog
