The NBA is a league of extraordinary athletes, and perhaps no attribute stands out more than sheer height. From shot-blocking specialists to commanding offensive forces, these towering figures have left an indelible mark on the game. While the modern NBA sometimes favors smaller, more agile players, the historical impact of these giants is undeniable. Let’s delve into the lives and careers of some of the tallest players to ever grace the hardwood, arranged from 25th to 1st in height.
The Tallest of the Tall: From 7’2″ to 7’7″
#25 Starting our countdown at number 25, we have Donovan Clingan, standing at 7’2″ (2.18 m). A highly anticipated rookie center drafted in 2024, Clingan is known for his defensive prowess and strong rebounding, just starting his NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Tied with Clingan at 7’2″ is
#24 Moses Brown. A young, developing center with significant length and rebounding ability, Brown has played for various teams including the Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Brooklyn Nets. He continues to carve out a role in the league as a reliable big man and most recently played for the Portland Trail Blazers.
#23 Moving up to 7’3″ (2.21 m), we find Aleksandar Radojević at number 23. A Montenegrin center drafted in 1999, his NBA career with the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets was brief, and he played internationally afterward.
#22 Randy Breuer also stood at 7’3″ (2.21 m) and comes in at number 22. A consistent center, he played for multiple teams throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Sacramento Kings, providing solid contributions.
#21 Zydrunas Ilgauskas, also 7’3″ (2.21 m). “Big Z” was a beloved Lithuanian center who spent the majority of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and also played for the Miami Heat. A two-time NBA All-Star, he is the Cavaliers’ all-time leader in games played, rebounds, and blocks, with his jersey number 11 retired by the team. He is now retired.
#20 Coming in at number 20 is Hasheem Thabeet, standing 7’3″ (2.21 m). The second overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Thabeet was a strong defensive presence for the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Oklahoma City Thunder, showing flashes of defensive dominance. He has since played professionally in various leagues.
#19 Bol Bol, son of the legendary Manute Bol, is number 19 at 7’3″ (2.21 m). He inherited his father’s towering height and boasts a unique skill set for a player his size, having played for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and Phoenix Suns, where he continues to develop his intriguing potential as an active NBA player.
#18 Kristaps Porziņģis, also 7’3″ (2.21 m), is number 18. Nicknamed “The Unicorn” for his rare combination of height and versatile skills, including shooting from beyond the arc, he has played for the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and is currently an active NBA player and key contributor to the Boston Celtics, earning an NBA All-Star selection in 2018.
#17 Ha Seung-jin is number 17. He is the only South Korean player to have played in the NBA, with the Portland Trail Blazers, paving the way for future Korean players, and has since played professionally in South Korea.
#16 Moving up to 7’4″ (2.23-2.24 m), we begin with Victor Wembanyama at number 16. While some sources list him at 7’3″, recent reports and listings indicate 7’4″ is more accurate, tying him for the tallest active player. Touted as a generational talent, Wembanyama entered the NBA with immense hype due to his unprecedented combination of height, skill, and athleticism. He plays for the San Antonio Spurs, where he won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2024, quickly establishing himself as a dominant defensive force and versatile offensive threat, expected to be a cornerstone of the league for years to come.
#15 Next at 7’4″ is Boban Marjanović at number 15. The Serbian big man is a fan favorite known for his towering presence and gentle demeanor. He has played for the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets, where he was a consistent and efficient contributor off the bench. His status for the upcoming season is to be determined.
#14 Ralph Sampson is number 14, standing at 7’4″. A highly touted prospect and #1 overall pick, Sampson’s career with the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Bullets was unfortunately hampered by injuries, but he was a dominant force when healthy, earning NBA Rookie of the Year in 1984, four NBA All-Star selections, and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. He is now retired.
#13 Number 13 is Rik Smits, also 7’4″ (2.24 m). “The Dunking Dutchman” was a skilled offensive center who spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers, earning an NBA All-Star selection in 1998 as a consistent scorer and rebounder for over a decade before retiring.
#12 Mark Eaton, another 7’4″ (2.24 m) giant. A legendary shot-blocker, Eaton spent his entire career with the Utah Jazz, earning two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, four NBA Blocks Leader titles, and holding the record for most blocked shots in a single season (456 in 1984-85) and career blocks per game (3.5). He passed away in 2021.
#11 Priest Lauderdale at number 11. An American center, he played for two NBA teams, the Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets, in the late 1990s before continuing his basketball career internationally.
#10 Entering the 7’5″ (2.26 m) club, we start with Chuck Nevitt at number 10. Nevitt holds the distinction of being the tallest player to win an NBA Championship (with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1985), having also played for the Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs. He is now retired.
#9 Pavel Podkolzin is number 9, standing at 7’5″ (2.26 m). A Russian center drafted in 2004, his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks was limited by injuries, and he later continued to play basketball internationally.
#8 Slavko Vraneš, a Montenegrin center who also stood 7’5″ (2.26 m) and had a very brief, single-game stint in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers before playing extensively in European leagues.
#7 Sim Bhullar. Bhullar made history as the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA, with the Sacramento Kings, breaking barriers before continuing his professional career in various international leagues.
#6 Finally, we arrive at the elite group of 7’6″ (2.29 m) and 7’7″ (2.31 m) players. At number 6, we have Zach Edey, standing at 7’4″ (2.24 m). A promising young Canadian center, Edey was a high draft pick in 2024 and is currently an active NBA player with the Memphis Grizzlies, making him tied for the tallest active player in the NBA alongside Victor Wembanyama.
#5 Shawn Bradley is number 5, standing at 7’6″ (2.29 m). “The Enormous Mormon” was the second overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft, known for his shot-blocking prowess with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks, leading the league in blocks in 1997. He is retired and was involved in a bicycle accident in 2021.
#4 is Yao Ming, a legendary 7’6″ (2.29 m) center. The first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, Yao was a dominant and skilled player for the Houston Rockets who became a global icon, immensely popularizing basketball in China. He was an eight-time NBA All-Star, earned All-NBA honors multiple times, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 before retiring due to injuries. He later served as the president of the Chinese Basketball Association.
#3 Tacko Fall stands at number 3, also 7’6″ (2.29 m). The Senegalese giant quickly became a fan favorite during his time with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers due to his immense size and engaging personality. As of June 2025, he is reportedly playing for the New Zealand Breakers in Australia’s NBL.
#2 The two tallest players in NBA history, both standing at an incredible 7’7″ (2.31 m), are Manute Bol at number 2 and Gheorghe Mureșan at number 1. Manute Bol, from Sudan, was known for his incredibly thin frame and remarkable shot-blocking ability during his time with the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat. A two-time NBA Blocks Leader, he holds the unique distinction of being the only NBA player to have more blocked shots than points scored in his career. Beyond basketball, his extensive humanitarian work in Sudan left a lasting legacy before his passing in 2010. His son, Bol Bol, continues his NBA journey.
#1 Gheorghe Mureșan from Romania. He began his professional career in his home country before being drafted by the Washington Bullets and also played for the New Jersey Nets. He earned the 1996 NBA Most Improved Player Award, averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in his best season. Mureșan is now retired, remains an ambassador for the Washington Wizards, has been involved in youth basketball programs, and famously starred in the movie “My Giant.”
From the towering presences of Mureșan and Bol who redefined rim protection, to the skilled bigs like Yao Ming and Rik Smits who dominated offensively, and now to the new generation with talents like Victor Wembanyama and Zach Edey, these players have continually captivated audiences. Their unique physical gifts, combined with dedication and skill, have allowed them to reach the pinnacle of professional basketball and leave an unforgettable legacy on the game. The NBA continues to evolve, but the impact of these extraordinary giants will always be a fascinating chapter in its rich history.
Average US people height is around 175cm and comparing to Yao Ming a famous Chinese basketball player at 228cm is shown below. Look at the height difference and check whether you would like to play with those tall people on the NBA.
