Among all the sports, the NBA might be the most well-known for its towering, intimidating, larger-than-life giants and these tallest players in the NBA will boggle your mind.
The Tallest Players In The NBA: The 10 Tallest Giants To Dominate The Paint
- Gheorghe Muresan, Manute Bol used to tower over the NBA at 7'7"
- Who are the tallest players in the NBA today?
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
"Grizzlies center, Zach Edey is the tallest player in the NBA today but he wouldn't make the top 10 all-time list..."
Tall players certainly have a big advantage in the NBA. They can typically score the ball down low at an efficient rate and they can grab boards easier than smaller players.
For example, Wilt Chamberlain has the most regular season rebounds in NBA history and he was 7-foot-1 when he played. Bill Russell had the second most rebounds and he was 6-foot-10. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was third and stood at 7-foot-2.
Here are the top 10 tallest players NBA history:
The Tallest players in NBA history
| Rank | Player | Height | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Gheorghe Muresan |
7’7” | 1993-2000 |
| 2 | Manute Bol |
7’7” | 1985-1997 |
| 3 |  Tacko Fall |
7’6” | 2019-2022 |
| 4 |  Yao Ming |
7’6” | 2002-2011 |
| 5 |  Shawn Bradley |
7’6” | 1993-2005 |
| 6 |  Sim Bhullar |
7’5” | 2015-2016 |
| 7 |  Slavko Vranes |
7’5” | 2004-2005 |
| 8 | Pavel Podkolzin |
7’5” | 2004-2006 |
| 9 |  Chuck Nevitt |
7’5” | 1982-1993 |
| 10 |  Priest Lauderdale |
7’4” | 1996-1998 |
1. Gheorghe Muresan | 7’7” | 1993-2000
Gheorghe Muresan is tied for being the tallest player in NBA history as he was 7-foot-7. Muresan played for the Washington Bullets, now known as the Washington Wizards, and New Jersey Nets, now the Brooklyn Nets in his NBA career.
He was best known for his shot blocking ability. Muresan won the NBA Most Improved Player award in the 1995-96 season.
2. Manute Bol | 7’7” | 1985-1994
Manute Bol also stood at 7-foot-7 as he is tied for being the tallest player in NBA history. He played for several teams in his NBA career including the Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat.
In fact, Bol played on the same team as the shortest player in NBA history Muggsy Bogues in the 1987-88 season for the Bullets.
Bol was an excellent defender with his tall stature. He led the league in blocked shots in the 1985-86 and 1988-89 seasons.
3. Tacko Fall | 7’6” | 2019-2022
While he had a brief NBA career, Tacko Fall, who is 7-foot-6, is one of the tallest players in NBA history. Fall played for the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers in his career.
Fall was a fan favorite despite limited minutes. While on the court, he was a threat to grab rebounds and block shots.
4. Yao Ming | 7’6” | 2002-2011
Among the tallest players in NBA history, the 7-foot-6 Yao Ming might have been the most impactful. He spent his entire career with the Houston Rockets and he helped the NBA grow in his native China.
Ming was one of the best centers in the league. He had a great scoring ability and jump shot for a guy his size.
5. Shawn Bradley | 7’6” | 1993-2005
Shawn Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history standing at 7-foot-6. He played for the 76ers, Nets and Dallas Mavericks in his 12 year career.
Bradley was a huge presence in the paint. He was mainly known and feared for his shot-blocking ability. Bradley led the league in blocks per game in the 1996-97 campaign.
6. Sim Bhullar | 7’5” | 2015-16
The 7-foot-5 Sim Bhullar made history during his brief stint in the NBA for one season with the Sacramento Kings.
Bhullar was the first player of Indian descent to ever play in the NBA. He appeared in just three games for the Kings. Bhullar had more playing time and opportunities in the NBA Development League (now called the G League).
7. Slavko Vranes | 7’5” | 2004-05
Slavko Vranes of the Portland Trail Blazers also had a very short NBA career, despite being one of the tallest players in NBA history. The 7-foot-5 Vranes was traded twice to the Orlando Magic and Trail Blazers after getting drafted by the New York Knicks.
Vranes only spent one season in the NBA and saw more success playing basketball in Europe.
8. Pavel Podkolzin | 7’5” | 2004-2006
Former Mavericks big man Pavel Podkolzin also had a limited NBA career, despite being 7-foot-5 and one of the tallest players in NBA history. He was originally drafted by the Utah Jazz, but was traded to the Mavericks.
Podkolzin only played in six regular season games in his two seasons with the Mavericks. He totaled four points and nine rebounds in his NBA career.
9. Chuck Nevitt | 7’5” | 1982-1993
Also at 7-foot-5, Chuck Nevitt was one of the tallest players in NBA history. He spent nine years in the league for the Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs.
Nevitt was mainly a role player who provided value in the paint with his size and length. He was a part of the 1987-88 Lakers NBA Championship team.
10. Priest Lauderdale | 7’4” | 1996-1998
Former first round draft pick Priest Lauderdale is the only one of the 10 tallest players in NBA history to stand at 7-foot-4. He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks and also played for the Denver Nuggets in his two seasons in the NBA.
Lauderdale was primarily a role player in the NBA. He played in just 74 regular season games as he averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest.
The Tallest players in the NBA today
| Rank | Player | Height | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Zach Edey |
7’4” | 2024-Present |
| 2 |  Victor Wembanyama |
7’3” | 2023-Present |
| 3 |  Bol Bol |
7’3” | 2019-Present |
| 4 | Kristaps Porzingis |
7’2” | 2015-Present |
| 5 |  Moses Brown |
7’2” | 2019-Present |
| 6 |  Brook Lopez |
7’1” | 2008-Present |
| 7 |  Rudy Gobert |
7’1” | 2013-Present |
| 8 |  Chet Holmgren |
7’1” | 2022-Present |
| 9 |  Walker Kessler |
7’0” | 2022-Present |
| 10 |  Jusuf Nurkic |
7’0” | 2014-Present |
1. Zach Edey | 7’4” | 2024-Present
Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies is the tallest player in the NBA currently at 7-foot-4. He was drafted ninth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft after leading his college team, the Purdue Boilermakers, to the NCAA Championship Game.
Edey is known for his rebounding and defense in the paint. He plays a big role for the Grizzlies, despite being a young player.
2. Victor Wembanyama | 7’3” | 2023-Present
Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs has been regarded as one of the top prospects in NBA history because of his size and athleticism. He was drafted first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft out of France.
Wembanyama has an insane skill set for his 7-foot-3 frame including scoring, rebounding, vision and shot blocking. He truly can do it all and he can use his size and length to his advantage, and was a massive favorite to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in his second season until he suffered a season ending injury.
3. Bol Bol | 7’3” | 2019-Present
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree with the Bol family. The son of Manute Bol, one of the tallest players in NBA history, Bol Bol is one of the tallest players in the NBA currently at 7-foot-3.
Bol Bol has mostly been a role player off the bench in his NBA career for the Nuggets, Magic and Phoenix Suns.
4. Kristaps Porzingis | 7’2” | 2015-Present
Standing at 7-foot-2, Latvian Kristaps Porzingis is one of the tallest players in the NBA today. He’s played with the Knicks, Mavericks, Wizards and Celtics throughout his ten year NBA career.
Porzingis garnered the nickname “The Unicorn” for his unique combination of size and 3-point shooting ability. Porzingis added an NBA Championship to his resume with the Celtics in 2024.
5. Moses Brown | 7’2” | 2019-Present
Moses Brown is a true journeyman in the NBA as one of the tallest players in the league today. The 7-foot-2 Brown has played for seven different teams including the Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Mavericks, Cavaliers, Nets, Knicks and Indiana Pacers.
Brown has primarily been in a reserve role for teams and he’s provided size and a good rebounding ability in the league.
6. Brook Lopez | 7’1” | 2008-Present
Among the tallest players in the NBA currently, Brook Lopez has the most experience. The veteran has spent time with the Nets, Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks.
Lopez is the Nets’ all-time leading scorer and he’s also developed a solid 3-point shot. Lopez is an elite defensive player as he’s earned NBA All-Defensive Team honors multiple times.
7. Rudy Gobert | 7’1” | 2013-Present
Rudy Gobert is one of the top defensive players in the league and he is one of the tallest players in the NBA currently. Gobert has played for just two teams in his lengthy NBA career – the Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Gobert is a four time winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, which is tied for the most in history.
8. Chet Holmgren | 7’1” | 2023-Present
The 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren is also one of the tallest players in the NBA today. The Thunder center/power forward was selected second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Holmgren is very versatile on both ends of the court for a guy his size. His scoring ability combined with his rebounding and shot blocking ability makes him a valuable player.
9. Walker Kessler | 7’0” | 2022-Present
While not known for his scoring prowess, Walker Kessler has been a solid contributor in the NBA in part because he is one of the tallest players in the NBA. He’s spent his entire career with the Jazz.
Kessler primarily contributes to the Jazz on the glass rebounding the basketball and with his shot blocking ability.
10. Jusuf Nurkic | 7’0” | 2014-Present
The 7-foot Jusuf Nurkic has had a good career in the NBA as he’s one of the tallest players in the NBA today. Nurkic has played for the Nuggets, Trail Blazers and Suns.
Nurkic has been a reliable center in the NBA for several years, primarily as a starter. The best parts of his game include his post scoring, rebounding and passing.
The Tallest players in the NBA FAQs
Who is the tallest player in the NBA right now?
The tallest player in the NBA right now is Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, who stands at 7-foot-4. Edey is currently a rookie in the NBA after he led his college team, the Purdue Boilermakers, to an NCAA Championship Game appearance in 2024. Thanks in part to his height, Edey is the top rebounder on the Grizzlies.
What is the average height of NBA players?
The average height of NBA players over the last 40 years is between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-7. During the 2023-2024 season the average height of an NBA player was 6-foot-6.5 inches. All the players on the list of tallest players in NBA history and tallest players in the NBA today are certainly outliers.
How has the average height of NBA players changed over the years?
The average height of NBA players over the years has increased slightly. The average height of NBA players back in the 1940s was around 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-4. That has since increased, along with the shift in playing styles in the later years of the 1900s, to around 6-foot-6, which has remained pretty consistent since roughly the 1970s.
How tall is Shaquille O’Neal?
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most well-known big men in NBA history and he stood 7-foot-1 during his NBA prime. O’Neal played for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in his 19-year NBA Hall of Fame career. Since retirement, O’Neil took to the tv studio where he is a pundit for TNT.
How tall was Muggsy Bogues?
Transitioning from towering giants, Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history at just 5-foot-3. Despite his short stature, Bogues had a lengthy and successful NBA career that spanned 14 years. He played for the Washington Bullets (now the Washington Wizards), Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors.
How tall is Michael Jordan?
Michael Jordan is largely regarded as the best NBA player of all time and stood 6-foot-6, which is a pretty average height in the NBA. Jordan spent 13 of his 15 years in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and he played for the Washington Wizards in the final two years of his illustrious career.
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