Helena Frye
The tallest man in basketball history is a topic that has fascinated fans and pundits alike. At 7'7 (2.31 m), Romanian Gheorghe Mureșan, who played for the Washington Bullets, tops the list of the tallest players in the National Basketball Association's history. As of the 2024–25 NBA season, 29 players have been listed at 7'3 (2.21 m) or taller, with Memphis Grizzlies' Zach Edey, at 7'4 (2.24 m), being the tallest active player.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tallest player in the NBA | Zach Edey (7'4") |
| Second tallest players in the NBA | Victor Wembanyama and Bol Bol (7'3") |
| Tallest player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame | Yao Ming (7'6") |
| Tallest player to ever be drafted for the NBA | Yasutaka Okayama (7'8") |
| Tallest NBA player in history | Gheorghe Muresan (7'7") |
| Other tall players | Kristaps Porzingis, Donovan Clingan, Manute Bol, Mark Eaton, Slavko Vraneš, Podkolzin, Bradley, Tacko Fall, Hasheem Thabeet, Luke Kornet, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Kel'el Ware, Moses Brown, Walter Samuel Tavares |
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What You'll Learn
Who is the tallest player in the NBA?
As of the 2024-25 NBA season, 39 players have been listed at 7 feet (2.13 m) or taller. Of these, the tallest active player in the NBA is Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m). Two other players are tied for second place: Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies and Bol Bol of the Phoenix Suns, both standing at 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 m).
The tallest player in NBA history is Romanian Gheorghe Mureșan, who played for the Washington Bullets and stood at 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 m). The tallest player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is Yao Ming, at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m). Yao, Ralph Sampson, and Arvydas Sabonis are the only players 7 feet 3 inches or taller to be selected to the Hall of Fame.
Other notably tall players include Tacko Fall, who played for the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, standing at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m); Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics, at 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 m); and Hasheem Thabeet, drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2009, at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).
While height can be an asset in the NBA, today's tall players are expected to possess a diverse skillset beyond just posting up for short-range shots and rebounds. Players like Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Anthony Davis have raised the bar for big men, showcasing shooting and other skills in addition to their height.
The average height of an NBA player in 2024 was 6 feet 6.3 inches (1.99 m), the shortest average in the previous 39 seasons. Despite this, the league continues to see the entry of exceptionally tall players, with Canadian teenager Olivier Rioux having the potential to become the league's tallest player ever if he joins the NBA.
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What are their height trends?
Height has always been a significant factor in basketball, with taller players often having physical advantages over their opponents. Over the years, the average height of NBA players has fluctuated, with some seasons seeing taller lineups and others favouring shorter, quicker players.
In recent years, the average height of players in the NBA has decreased slightly. During the 2024-25 season, the average height was recorded at 6'6.3", the shortest average height in the previous 39 seasons. Additionally, 72% of the league's players were under 6'9", the highest percentage in the past 40 seasons. This shift towards shorter players may be influenced by the league's increasing emphasis on three-point shooting and agile defence.
Despite this trend, there have been numerous exceptionally tall players in the NBA, with some even surpassing the 7-foot mark. The tallest NBA player in history is disputed between two players, Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan, both recording heights just above 7'7" (2.31m). Other extremely tall players include Yasutaka Okayama at 7'8" (2.34m), Yao Ming at 7'6" (2.29m), and current players Zach Edey at 7'4" (2.24m), and Victor Wembanyama and Bol Bol, both at 7'3" (2.21m).
The presence of these extremely tall players has had a significant impact on the game. Their height provides them with physical advantages, such as shot-blocking and rebounding capabilities. However, taller players may also face challenges, such as a higher risk of injury and a need to develop a broader skillset to keep up with shorter, more agile players.
While the average height in the NBA has slightly decreased in recent years, the presence of exceptionally tall players continues to leave a lasting impact on the league. These players often become fan favourites and leave a lasting legacy, with their unique physical attributes shaping the way the game is played and perceived.
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Who are the tallest players in history?
The tallest players in the history of basketball are typically associated with the NBA. At 7'7" (2.31 m), Romanian Gheorghe Mureșan is the tallest player in NBA history. He was picked by the Washington Bullets as the 30th overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft. Manute Bol, also 7'7", is another towering player, known for his shot-blocking ability and intimidating defensive presence.
Other extremely tall NBA players include Yao Ming, the tallest player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, standing at 7'6" (2.29 m). Yasutaka Okayama, a Japanese basketball player drafted by the Golden State Warriors in 1981, is even taller at 7'8" (2.34 m), making him the tallest player ever drafted for the NBA, although his career was short-lived.
In the 2024-25 NBA season, Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies stood at 7'4", making him the tallest player in the league at that time. Other tall players from this season include Victor Wembanyama and Bol Bol, both 7'3", and Moses Brown, Donovan Clingan, and Kristaps Porzingis, all 7'2".
Outside of the NBA, Olivier Rioux, a college basketball player, stands at an impressive 7'9", earning him the title of the tallest college basketball player in D1 history.
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What are their career highlights?
Gheorghe Mureșan
Gheorghe Mureșan, a 7-foot-7-inch (2.31 m) Romanian player, is the tallest player in the history of the NBA. He played for the Washington Bullets (now known as the Washington Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets between 1993 and 2000. In the 1995-1996 season, he received the NBA Most Improved Player Award, averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.26 blocks per game, and a shooting percentage of 58.4%, the highest in his NBA career. Despite his impressive height, Mureșan struggled with injuries and retired in 2000 at just 30 years old.
Manute Bol
At 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m), Manute Bol is considered one of the tallest players in NBA history, just slightly shorter than Mureșan. Bol was drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1985 and played for them during the 1985-1986 season, averaging a league-leading 5.0 blocks. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting as a rookie. Over his career, he averaged 3.3 blocks per game, ranking second of all time, behind only Mark Eaton of the Utah Jazz. Bol was known for his defensive prowess and shot-blocking abilities, striking fear into the hearts of his opponents.
Yao Ming
Standing at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m), Yao Ming is the tallest player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Yao played for the Houston Rockets and was the number 1 overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft. He had a stellar career, winning Rookie of the Year and making the All-Star team in all eight of his NBA seasons. Yao averaged an impressive 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game over his career.
Zach Edey
Zach Edey, a 7-foot-4-inch (2.24 m) center for the Memphis Grizzlies, is the tallest player in the NBA during the 2024-2025 season. Edey is a two-time John Wooden Award winner and was drafted ninth overall by the Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA draft. He is known for his dominant physical presence and ability to overpower opponents.
Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-3-inch (2.21 m) center/forward for the San Antonio Spurs, is the second-tallest player in the NBA during the 2024-2025 season. Wembanyama is a generational talent with an unprecedented skillset for his height. He excels as an intimidating shot-blocker and a multi-level scorer, including from three-point range.
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How does height impact their game?
As of my information cutoff of January 2023, the tallest player in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is Sudanese-born American player Manute Bol, who played in the league from 1985 to 1995. He was officially listed at a height of 7 feet 7 inches (2.31 m).
Height provides a significant advantage in basketball, especially when coupled with a well-proportioned body and good athleticism. Taller players have a longer wingspan and can cover more ground, making them better shot-blockers and rebounders. They can also shoot over defenders with relative ease, making them efficient scorers close to the basket. This is why you often see taller players dominating in the low post area, using their height to gain an advantage for easy baskets or drawing fouls. Their height also allows them to see over the defense, enabling them to make passes that shorter players might not be able to execute.
Taller players can also alter shots without even blocking them, forcing opponents to adjust their shooting angles and making it harder for them to score. Their mere presence in the key can be a deterrent for opposing players driving to the basket, as they know their shots will likely be contested. On the offensive end, tall players can also be used as screens, providing picks for teammates to free them up for open shots. Their height makes them effective roll men in pick-and-roll situations, as they can quickly get to the rim for an easy basket.
While height is undoubtedly an advantage, it does not guarantee success. Skill, quickness, agility, and coordination are also critical factors. Taller players may struggle with agility and quickness, especially when matched against smaller, faster opponents. They may also find it harder to develop refined ball-handling skills, which are often more natural for smaller players. As a result, taller players are often utilized closer to the basket, where their height is most beneficial, and they are less likely to be asked to handle the ball in more peripheral positions.
Additionally, taller players may struggle with endurance, as their larger frames can make it more challenging to move up and down the court for extended periods. This is why you often see taller players substituted more frequently to keep them fresh and avoid fatigue. Finally, while height is advantageous, it is just one aspect of a player's overall skill set. Basketball is a team game that requires a variety of skills, and a well-rounded, shorter player can often be more valuable than a taller player with limited skills.
In conclusion, while height can provide a significant advantage in basketball, it is just one factor in a player's overall effectiveness. A combination of height, athleticism, skill, and coordination is ideal, and players who possess these attributes can dominate the game regardless of their height.
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Frequently asked questions
The tallest player in the history of the NBA is Gheorghe Muresan, who stands at 7'7" (2.31m).
Manute Bol is just a few millimetres shorter than Muresan, standing at the same height of 7'7"/.
At
Yao Ming (7'6"), Yasutaka Okayama (7'8"), Tacko Fall, Mark Eaton (7'4"), Slavko Vraneš (7'6"), and Kristaps Porzingis (7'2") are among the tallest players in NBA history.
A 2024 study found that the average height of an NBA player in the 2024-25 season was 6'6.3", the shortest average in 39 seasons. 72% of the league was under 6'9", the highest percentage in 40 seasons.
