Who are the tallest basketball players in NBA history? A list of the 10 greatest giants to ever play

Basketball is a physically demanding sport, and height gives players an advantage in actions such as ball control, blocking, and shooting. Most professional basketball players are very tall, with many standing 2 meters or taller. basketscores.com answers the question: Who are the tallest basketball players in NBA history?

Who are the tallest basketball players in NBA history?

This list is updated as of March 2026, and the statistics are taken from official NBA sources.

1. Gheorghe Mureșan (7 ft 7 in / 2.31 m)

The tallest player ever recorded in NBA history is Gheorghe Mureșan, who played for the Washington Bullets / Washington Wizards and the New Jersey Nets. An interesting fact is that he often wore jersey number 77 to reflect his height of 7 feet 7 inches. With his remarkable size, he had a very long reach and weighed 137 kg. However, his career was not highly decorated, as he did not win an NBA championship. His most notable achievement was winning the Most Improved Player award in the 1995/96 season.

2. Manute Bol (7 ft 7 in / 2.31 m)

Sharing the number one spot with Mureșan is Manute Bol. At 2.31 m tall, he had one of the longest wingspans in NBA history at 2.59 m. Unlike Mureșan, Bol played around 10 seasons in the NBA from 1985 to 1995 with teams such as the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat. He is the only player in NBA history to finish his career with more blocked shots (2,086) than points scored (1,599).

3. Shawn Bradley (7 ft 6 in / 2.29 m)

Shawn Bradley ranks third on the list, standing 2.29 m tall but weighing only about 107 kg. His slim build sometimes made it difficult for him to compete against stronger centers such as Shaquille O'Neal. He played 12 NBA seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks. In 1997, he led the entire NBA in total blocks with 274.

4. Tacko Fall (7 ft 6 in / 2.29 m)

Standing at the same height as Bradley, Tacko Fall is one of the tallest players of his era. Because of his height and reach, he is among the very few players who can dunk while keeping his feet on the ground or barely rising onto his toes. His NBA journey was challenging, as he was not selected in the draft. He later signed with the Boston Celtics and then the Cleveland Cavaliers after his college career. Over three seasons, he played 37 NBA games. He later moved to China to continue his professional career.

5. Yao Ming (7 ft 6 in / 2.29 m)

Yao Ming had a powerful build, weighing 141 kg and standing 2.29 m tall, which made him one of the most dominant centers of his time. Unlike several players on this list, Yao is considered an NBA legend. He was selected as the first overall pick by the Houston Rockets and quickly became a key figure for the franchise. During his career, he helped the Rockets reach the playoffs four times but did not win a championship. Serious leg injuries affected the final years of his career, and he missed 250 games in his last six seasons.

6. Sim Bhullar (7 ft 5 in / 2.26 m)

Sim Bhullar became the first player of Indian descent to appear in an NBA game. Standing 2.26 m tall and weighing 163 kg, he was a strong presence near the basket. After going undrafted, he played in the NBA G League and won the NBA G League Showcase Cup while being named to the All-Defensive Team in 2016. Later, due to limited mobility at the highest level, he continued his career in Taiwan, competing in the SBL and P. League+.

7. Chuck Nevitt (7 ft 5 in / 2.26 m)

Chuck Nevitt stood 2.26 m tall but weighed only about 98 kg, giving him a very slim frame. Despite limited playing time, he had a long career and was part of the championship-winning Los Angeles Lakers in 1985 during the Showtime era. He also spent time with the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls.

8. Pavel Podkolzin (7 ft 5 in / 2.26 m)

Pavel Podkolzin attracted attention in the 2004 NBA Draft because of his size. He was selected by the Utah Jazz before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Ongoing injury problems, especially a fractured foot, limited his opportunities, and he played only six games across two NBA seasons. He later returned to Russia and won several titles in the Russian second division.

9. Slavko Vraneš (7 ft 5 in / 2.26 m)

Slavko Vraneš was selected by the New York Knicks with the 39th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He did not appear in a regular-season game for the Knicks but later signed a short-term contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. On January 8, 2004, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he played three minutes. He later continued his career in Europe and won several domestic titles.

10. Mark Eaton (7 ft 4 in / 2.24 m)

Mark Eaton closes the list as one of the most accomplished players among the tallest in NBA history. During his 11-year career, he played exclusively for the Utah Jazz. In one season, he recorded 456 blocks, averaging 5.56 blocks per game, the highest single-season average in NBA history. He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice (1985, 1989), was selected to the All-Defensive Team five times, and made the All-Star team in 1989. The Utah Jazz later retired his number 53 jersey in recognition of his contributions.

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