There have been more than a few giants who have walked the courts throughout the history of the NBA.
Not all of these big boys managed to make on the game outside of their sheer size, but it sure is interesting to check out the tallest players in NBA history for just sheer entertainment.
Tallest NBA Players All-time
Our list looks at the top 5 tallest players who have ever played in the NBA, looking at not just their freakish dimensions but also their careers, from draft moments to the teams they’ve played for and their on-court statistics.
1. Gheorghe Muresan
- Height: 7’7″
- Career Stats: PPG: 9.8 | RPG: 6.4 | APG: 0.5 | SPG: 0.3 | BPG: 1.5
- Teams Played For: Washington Bullets/Wizards, New Jersey Nets
- Draft: 1993, Round 2, Pick 30
- Games Played: 307
- Accolades: Most Improved Player (1996)
Gheorghe Muresan, the tallest player in NBA history, was known for his incredible 7’7″ stature. Drafted by the Washington Bullets, Muresan had a peak when he won the Most Improved Player award in 1996, showcasing some nice skills that belied his size.
He also starred in the movie My Giant opposite Billy Crystal in 1998, so that may actually be the peak of his career.
2. Manute Bol
- Height: 7’7″
- Career Stats: PPG: 2.6 | RPG: 4.2 | APG: 0.3 | SPG: 0.3 | BPG: 3.3
- Teams Played For: Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat
- Draft: 1985, Round 2, Pick 31
- Games Played: 624
- Accolades: Led the league in blocks twice (1986, 1989)
Sharing the title of the tallest NBA player with Muresan, Manute Bol was a defensive powerhouse, known for his shot-blocking ability.
Bol’s career was marked by his incredible ability to alter opponents’ shots, making him a unique defensive tool during his stints with multiple teams.
Manute’s son Bol Bol also has graced the NBA courts at a height of 7’3″.
3. Yao Ming
- Height: 7’6″
- Career Stats: PPG: 19.0 | RPG: 9.2 | APG: 1.6 | SPG: 0.4 | BPG: 1.9
- Teams Played For: Houston Rockets
- Draft: 2002, Round 1, Pick 1
- Games Played: 486
- Accolades: 8x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team, Hall of Fame (2016)
Yao Ming, standing at 7’6″, was one of the most skilled and celebrated big men in basketball when he entered the league.
The first overall pick by the Houston Rockets in 2002, Yao quickly became a global icon, bridging the NBA to Asia, especially his home country of China.
Sadly his career was cut short by stress fractures in his feet.
4. Shawn Bradley
- Height: 7’6″
- Career Stats: PPG: 8.1 | RPG: 6.3 | APG: 0.7 | SPG: 0.5 | BPG: 2.5
- Teams Played For: Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks
- Draft: 1993, Round 1, Pick 2
- Games Played: 832
Another 7’6″ player, Shawn Bradley, was known for his defensive prowess, particularly his shot-blocking ability, which placed him among the NBA’s best during his career. Despite some doubt over his offensive game, Bradley’s defensive impact was undeniable, making him a valuable player on the court.
Sadly Bradley suffered a horrific accident while road cycling and is now paralyzed from the chest down.
5. Slavko Vranes
- Height: 7’6″
- Career Stats: PPG: 0.3 | RPG: 0.3 | APG: 0.0 | SPG: 0.0 | BPG: 0.0
- Teams Played For: Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks
- Draft: 2003, Round 2, Pick 39
- Games Played: 3
Perhaps the least known of the giants, Slavko Vranes, played only a handful of games in the NBA but his height alone makes him number 5 on our list. Despite a very brief NBA career, his presence on the court was a spectacle due to his extraordinary height.
If you love this kind of stuff, check out our top 10 NBA players of all-time and our top 10 NBA centers of all-time.
