Basketball has always been a sport where height provides a significant advantage. The NBA has seen some truly towering athletes who used their extraordinary stature to dominate the court. Here are the ten tallest players to ever step onto an NBA hardwood.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest basketball player ever is Gheorghe Muresan at 7 ft 7 in (231 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest basketball players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Basketball Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gheorghe Muresan | 7 ft 7 in (231 cm) | Romania |
| 2 | Manute Bol | 7 ft 7 in (231 cm) | Sudan |
| 3 | Slavko Vranes | 7 ft 6 in (229 cm) | Montenegro |
| 4 | Shawn Bradley | 7 ft 6 in (229 cm) | United States |
| 5 | Yao Ming | 7 ft 6 in (229 cm) | China |
| 6 | Chuck Nevitt | 7 ft 5 in (226 cm) | United States |
| 7 | Pavel Podkolzin | 7 ft 5 in (226 cm) | Russia |
| 8 | Sim Bhullar | 7 ft 5 in (226 cm) | Canada |
| 9 | Tacko Fall | 7 ft 5 in (226 cm) | Senegal |
| 10 | Mark Eaton | 7 ft 4 in (224 cm) | United States |
1. Gheorghe Muresan — 7 ft 7 in (231 cm)
Country: Romania
Gheorghe Muresan holds the record as the tallest player in NBA history. Playing for the Washington Bullets and New Jersey Nets from 1993 to 2000, the Romanian centre won the NBA Most Improved Player award in 1996. He averaged 9.8 points per game for his career.
2. Manute Bol — 7 ft 7 in (231 cm)
Country: Sudan
Manute Bol, tied for tallest in NBA history, was one of the greatest shot-blockers ever. He played for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat between 1985 and 1994. Bol led the league in blocks per game twice and swatted 2,086 career shots.
3. Slavko Vranes — 7 ft 6 in (229 cm)
Country: Montenegro
Slavko Vranes briefly appeared in the NBA with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2003-04 season. The Montenegrin centre played just one NBA game but had a long career in European basketball. He played in leagues across Serbia, Russia, and Spain.
4. Shawn Bradley — 7 ft 6 in (229 cm)
Country: United States
Shawn Bradley was the second overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He went on to play for the New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks over a 12-year career. Bradley averaged 8.1 points and 2.5 blocks per game.
5. Yao Ming — 7 ft 6 in (229 cm)
Country: China
Yao Ming was the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and became one of the most iconic international players ever. The Houston Rockets centre was an eight-time All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. Yao averaged 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
6. Chuck Nevitt — 7 ft 5 in (226 cm)
Country: United States
Chuck Nevitt played for five NBA teams between 1982 and 1994, including the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. Although a career backup, he earned an NBA championship ring with the Lakers in 1985. Nevitt appeared in 155 career games.
7. Pavel Podkolzin — 7 ft 5 in (226 cm)
Country: Russia
Pavel Podkolzin was drafted 21st overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2004 NBA Draft. The Russian centre played just six NBA games before returning to Europe. He had a more successful career in Russian and European basketball leagues.
8. Sim Bhullar — 7 ft 5 in (226 cm)
Country: Canada
Sim Bhullar became the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA when he appeared for the Sacramento Kings in 2015. The Canadian centre played three games in the NBA before pursuing a career overseas. He later played in the NBA G League and leagues in India and Taiwan.
9. Tacko Fall — 7 ft 5 in (226 cm)
Country: Senegal
Tacko Fall gained a massive following during his time with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2019 to 2023. The Senegalese centre played college basketball at UCF, where he set records for field goal percentage. Fall became a fan favourite and viral sensation.
10. Mark Eaton — 7 ft 4 in (224 cm)
Country: United States
Mark Eaton spent his entire 11-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz from 1982 to 1993. He is a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and led the league in blocks four times. Eaton still holds the NBA record for most blocks per game in a single season at 5.56.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these basketball giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
Height in basketball is undeniably an advantage, but skill, athleticism, and basketball IQ matter just as much. These towering players each left an indelible mark on the game, proving that size alone does not guarantee success — but it certainly helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest NBA player right now?
As of 2025, Victor Wembanyama at 7 feet 4 inches is among the tallest active NBA players.
What is the average height of an NBA player?
The average height of an NBA player is approximately 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm).
Does being taller guarantee success in the NBA?
Not necessarily. While height is an advantage, many of the greatest players like Allen Iverson (6 ft 0 in) succeeded through skill, speed, and determination.