Did you know that the average NBA player height is 6’6″? That’s pretty tall, but it’s nothing compared to the giants that have laced their shoes and ventured into the hardwood.
Today, we’re diving into the world of basketball’s true titans. In most cases, the saying, “you can’t teach height” holds true, especially in the world of basketball. Most players listed here have stats that you would associate with big men of their stature – points, rebounds, and blocks. These are essential stats you need to monitor whenever such tall players enter the game as part of your NBA betting strategies.
With that out of the way, here are the tallest NBA players:
Table of Contents
- The Tallest of All Time
- Current NBA Height Kings
- Impactful Giants
- Betting Implications
- Learning Recap
- Final Thoughts
The Tallest of All Time
Let’s begin with the tallest NBA players of all time. These behemoths of basketball are giants compared to the rest of the league back when they were playing:
1. Gheorghe Mureșan – The Gentle Giant (7’7 or 2.31m)
Gheorghe Mureșan stands as the tallest player in NBA history. This Romanian center played for the Washington Bullets and New Jersey Nets from 1993 to 2000. Despite his incredible height, Mureșan was known for his gentle demeanor both on and off the court.
Mureșan’s height was officially measured by the NBA, ensuring accuracy. Whenever he entered the game, his towering presence dissuaded players from entering the paint.
Mureșan played during the 1990s, an era known for its physical style of play. His best season was during the 1995-1996 season, where he played for Washington Bullets and averaged 14.5 points, 2.3 blocks, and 9.6 rebounds. However, Mureșan’s career was significantly impacted by injuries, limiting his long-term impact.
Off the court, Mureșan was part of the 1998 movie My Giant alongside Billy Crystal. He also had a role in the 2023 Manodrome with Jesse Eisenberg.
2. Manute Bol – The Sudanese Shot-Blocker (7’7 or 2.31m)
Tied with Mureșan for the tallest player ever, Manute Bol was a Sudanese-born center who played for several teams between 1985 and 1995. He was famous for his exceptional shot-blocking ability and, surprisingly, his occasional three-point shooting.
Bol’s height measurement predates the NBA’s 2019 stricter measurement protocols. On the court, Bol had spurts of dominance, especially on the defensive end. He holds the record for most blocked shots in a single season by a rookie at 5.0 during the 1986 season for the Washington Bullets.
Bol’s impact was more about his uniqueness than overall statistical dominance. His lanky frame and extremely long arms made it extremely difficult for other players to shoot over him, and when they try to drive into the lane while Bol was on the court, chances are Bol will deflect their shot.
Manute Bol’s shot-blocking prowess was legendary. In a game against the Orlando Magic on January 25, 1986, Bol blocked an astonishing 15 shots, showcasing how his extreme height could completely alter an opponent’s offensive strategy.
3. Yao Ming – The Global Superstar (7’6 or 2.29m)
Yao Ming, the Chinese center who played for the Houston Rockets from 2002 to 2011, was more than just tall. He was an eight-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who greatly impacted the NBA’s global popularity.
Yao’s height was officially measured and verified by the NBA and has him clocking in at 7 feet, 6 inches or 2.29 meters. He significantly impacted the game both on the court and in expanding the NBA’s global reach, as arguably the biggest Asian basketball superstar.
Sadly, Yao’s career was cut short due to foot injuries, a common issue for extremely tall players. But during his relatively short tenure in the NBA, Yao accrued solid career averages, with 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks over his 8-year NBA career.
4. Shawn Bradley – The Shot-Blocking Sensation (7’6 or 2.29m)
Shawn Bradley, a German-American center, played from 1993 to 2005. He was known for his impressive shot-blocking skills and even made appearances in pop culture, including the movie “Space Jam.”
Bradley’s height was verified during his playing career, and his registered height when he was playing in the NBA was 7 foot 6 inches or 2.29 meters. On the court, Bradley was a defensive anchor for his teams; he ranks 14th all-time in blocks per game, showcasing his defensive impact.
Bradley’s career spanned the 1990s and early 2000s, bridging two eras of NBA play. His most productive years defensively was during the 1996-97 season for New Jersey Nets where he averaged 4.0 blocks and 8.1 rebounds per game.
Offensively, his best season was during his stay with the Dallas Mavericks during the 1997-98 season. Bradley averaged 14.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while also racking an impressive 2.7 blocks per game.
5. Slavko Vraneš – The Brief NBA Appearance (7’5 or 2.26m)
Montenegrin center Slavko Vraneš briefly played for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2004. While his NBA career was short-lived, he found more success in European leagues.
Vraneš’ height was officially measured during his brief NBA stint. He played only one game in the NBA, totaling three minutes of playing time. Stats-wise, Vranes’ 3 minutes in the hardwood resulted with no points, rebounds, or blocks, but he did record one Persona Foul.
Vraneš had a more substantial career in European basketball, showcasing the global nature of tall talent. However, his stint in the NBA is more of a cautionary tale for bettors who might have seen this towering player and thought that he would get playing time.
During such cases, our comprehensive NBA betting guide reminds players that they should properly screen which team a player is part of, and more importantly, if they can be part of the rotation consistently to provide much needed big-man stats.
Current NBA Height Kings
Today’s NBA have a bevy of towering players who offer various skillsets for their respective teams. Whether it’s being a defensive anchor, or a deadly stretch big man, the following players impact the game in their own way. Here are the tallest players in the NBA right now:
Today’s Towering Talents: Top 5 Active Players
1. Victor Wembanyama – The Rising Star (7’3 or 2.21m)
French prodigy Victor Wembanyama entered the NBA in 2023 as one of the most hyped prospects ever. His combination of height and skill has many predicting a revolutionary impact on the game.
Wembanyama’s height was officially measured at the 2023 NBA Draft Combine, and along with his eye-catching body shape, he possesses a rare combination of height, wingspan, and guard-like skills. Unlike other players who are billed at 7 feet or higher, Wembanyama is nimble and showcased great ball control, on top of a silky smooth touch both inside and outside the paint.
Defensively, Wemby’s lengthy arms make short work of players foolish enough to drive into the lane and try to get a quick lay-up or dunk while he is on the floor. Wembanyama’s development could potentially redefine positional expectations in the NBA.
His rookie season was sensational where he averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.6 blocks per game. Along with some jaw-dropping highlights, Wemby ran away with Rookie of the Year for the 2023-2024 season.
Currently, Wemby is 21 years old, and with the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff behind him, it’s more a “when” than an “if” he will become a generational talent in the NBA.
2. Zach Edey – The Fan Favorite (7’4 or 2.24m)
Coming out of Purdue, Zach Edey is currently on his rookie season in the NBA. Edey was picked as 9th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, owing to his 4 years in Purdue deeming him as “NBA ready” by most scouts.
In college, Edey averaged 18.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.7 blocks per game, and made 62.1% of his field goal attempts. Edey is the Grizzlies’ starting Center for the 2024-2025 season, and completes the formidable starting 5, with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Jaylen Wells. His stats so far are serviceable for a big man, with 9.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting at a decent 58.9%. Given that the Grizzlies have Morant at the helm, Edey will need to be patient and further develop his inside game to be the recipient of passes down the block.
3. Kristaps Porziņģis – The Unicorn (7’2 or 2.18m)
Latvian power forward/center Kristaps Porziņģis has been nicknamed “The Unicorn” due to his rare combination of height and shooting ability. He’s been an All-Star and continues to be a significant presence in the league.
Porziņģis is one of the tallest players to regularly attempt and make three-point shots. This is due to his smooth shooting mechanics as well as his sheer height that make it difficult for opposing players to contest. So far, Porziņģis’ career 36.4% 3-point shooter, and is often a match-up nightmare for teams.
That said, he isn’t afraid to drive it down the lane, or do some post-up moves on his defender down the block. His playing style challenges traditional roles for 7-foot-plus players. Currently, Porziņģis is having a solid 2024-2025 season, averaging 19.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
The only consistent concern for “The Unicorn” is his health – most of the time, Porziņģis is notoriously injury-prone, and for fantasy players who draft him, it can either be feast or famine, especially during the middle of the season where the injury bug usually gets him.
4. Bol Bol – The Skilled Giant (7’3 or 2.21m)
The son of former NBA player Manute Bol, Bol Bol brings a unique skill set to the court. Despite his height, he shows flashes of guard-like ball-handling and shooting ability.
He possesses a 7’8″ wingspan, one of the longest in NBA history. Defensively, this makes him a menace once he has settled into the paint. Most of the time, opposing players need to alter their shots, or pass to their teammates when Bol Bol is in the game.
Bol’s development represents the NBA’s trend towards more versatile big men. However, Bol Bol is currently playing for the Phoenix Suns – while they aren’t concerned with their offense, thanks to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, Bol Bol’s role is more on the defensive side of things.
Currently, Bol Bol isn’t being used that much, only subbing in for spurts of play time. This equates to erratic numbers for his points, rebounds, and blocks per game.
5. Chet Holmgren – The Slender Sensation (7’1 or 2.16m)
Chet Holmgren entered the NBA in 2022 as a highly touted prospect. Despite missing his rookie season due to injury, his combination of height, shot-blocking, and three-point shooting ability has many excited about his potential.
He weighs significantly less than most 7-footers, raising questions about durability. Most fantasy players keep this in mind as one of the betting mistakes to avoid, since lanky players tend to get bullied and beat up down the block, lessening their impact during games.
However, Holmgren’s skill set aligns with the modern NBA’s emphasis on versatility. During his official NBA debut in the 2023-2024 season, Holmgren was productive, averaging 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks on 53% shooting per game, leading him to finish second in the Rookie of the Year race which was won by Paolo Banchero.
Currently, Holmgren plays a significant role in the Oklahoma City Thunder. As their Center, he is in-charge of rim protection and spacing for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of his squad.
Impactful Giants
Historically, the Centers and Power Forwards were considered to be the “big men” in basketball. As such, their role was to make an impact whenever they are put in the game.
For the tallest basketball players, this was an easier task, as the old saying goes, “you can’t teach height”, and in a sport where having the stature to prevent opposing players from scoring is great, the following players tapped into something more in their bag to make a stronger impact in the game.
More Than Just Height: Top 5 Tall NBA Players Who Changed the Game
1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – The Scoring Machine (7’2 or 2.18m)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar isn’t just one of the tallest players in NBA history; he’s also the all-time leading scorer. His skyhook shot was nearly unstoppable, and his impact on the game is immeasurable.
He holds the record for most career points scored in NBA history (38,387). Abdul-Jabbar’s longevity (20 seasons) is remarkable for a player of his stature – while most players of similar height will inevitably deal with injury or wear-and-tear on their bodies, Abdul-Jabbar’s conditioning was phenomenal given the time he was competing in.
On offense, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook shot was so effective that in the 1985 NBA Finals, at the age of 38, he averaged 25.7 points per game against a young, athletic Boston Celtics team, leading the Lakers to victory and earning Finals MVP honors.
2. Wilt Chamberlain – The Statistical Anomaly (7’1 or 2.16m)
Wilt Chamberlain’s impact on basketball is legendary. He’s the only player to score 100 points in a single game and average 50 points per game for a season. His combination of height and athleticism was unprecedented.
Chamberlain holds numerous individual NBA records, including most points in a season (4,029 in 1961–62), Most points scored in a half (59 in the 2nd half vs. the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962), Most 50-point games in a season (45 in 1961–62), most rebounds in a single game (55 vs. Boston Celtics, November 24, 1960), among other astonishing feats during his career.
His dominance led to several rule changes in the NBA such as the 1956 rule that prohibits players from crossing the plane of the free-throw line until the ball hits the rim or passes through the basket, widening the lane, and instituting offensive goaltending.
3. Shaquille O’Neal – The Dominant Force (7’1 or 2.16m)
Shaquille O’Neal combined his incredible height with strength and agility to become one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. His impact extended beyond the court, becoming a cultural icon.
During the peak of his career, O’Neal led the league in field goal percentage 10 times, showcasing his dominance near the basket. He was unstoppable in the paint, and his sheer strength and finishing down the block had many coaches resorting to literally throwing bodies at him to prevent him from scoring the easy way.
But while O’Neal was a force of nature in the paint, he was a huge liability on the free throw line. His shooting struggles on the charity stripe led to the “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy, where opposing teams will intentionally foul him and send him to the line.
However, even with such a strategy, O’Neal’s dominance cannot be denied – he has bagged 4 NBA championships (2000–2002, 2006), 3 NBA Finals MVPs, and 1 NBA MVP throughout his illustrious career.
4. Yao Ming – The Global Ambassador (7’6 or 2.29m)
We’ve mentioned Yao Ming before, but his impact deserves another spotlight. Beyond his on-court achievements, Yao significantly expanded the NBA’s popularity in China and across Asia.
Yao was the tallest player in the league during his career in the NBA. Moreover, he was the first international player selected first overall in the NBA draft without U.S. college experience. This was warranted, since Yao was a standout during time playing for the Chinese basketball team, as well as the Chinese Basketball Association where he led the Shanghai Sharks to a championship.
Yao’s presence during his NBA career led to increased NBA viewership and revenue from the Chinese market, culminating in a number of NBA exhibition games that were held in China.
5. Mark Eaton – The Shot-Blocking Specialist (7’4 or 2.24m)
Mark Eaton used his exceptional height to become one of the greatest shot-blockers in NBA history. He defined rim protection in the 1980s; as part of the Utah Jazz for 11 years starting from the 1982-83 season up to the 1992-93 season, Eaton holds the NBA record for blocks per game in a season (5.56) which he did during 1984-85. Moreover, Eaton’s career blocks per game average (3.50) is the highest in NBA history.
His knack for deflecting opponents’ shots has netted him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice during the 1984-85 and 198-89 seasons. During the 1984-85 season, Mark Eaton blocked an astounding 456 shots, averaging 5.6 blocks per game. To put this in perspective, the entire Charlotte Hornets team blocked 379 shots in the 2020-21 season.
Betting Implications
How Height Affects NBA Wagering
Understanding the impact of exceptionally tall players is crucial for informed NBA betting. These players can significantly influence game dynamics, affecting various betting markets.
Teams with 7-foot-plus players often have better rebounding and shot-blocking stats, impacting over/under totals. That said, injuries to exceptionally tall players can dramatically shift betting lines. The presence of a dominant 7-footer can influence player prop bets, especially for opposing centers.
Strategies for Betting on Games with Tall Players
When wagering on games featuring exceptionally tall players, it’s crucial to consider their unique impact. These athletes can sway outcomes in unexpected ways, presenting opportunities for savvy bettors.
Analyze how teams adjust their strategies when facing extremely tall opponents. In most cases, coaches would either adjust to small ball tactics to use their team’s speed and quickness to offset the tall players’ verticality.
Next, consider the stamina of 7-foot-plus players, especially in back-to-back games. Most 7-footers have a tendency to get gassed easier compared to smaller players, potentially limiting their stats. Check the tendencies of the coaching staff when it comes to managing their players during back-to-back games.
Lastly, evaluate how tall players perform against different defensive schemes. Some of the more athletic tall players can adjust their gameplay when faced with different defensive plays. For example, Wemby or Chet Holmgren can go try their shooting touch from distance if the opposing team goads them into doing so, or if the opposing team starts to double, smart big men either pass the ball out to the open man, or straight up challenge the double and make a beeline to the rim.
The outcome of such a scenario will depend on which big man is experiencing that situation. Watch out for their tendencies to further steer or temper your expectations of those big men.
Learning Recap
We’ve journeyed through the world of basketball’s giants, exploring their impact on the game, challenges they face, and how they influence betting strategies. From Gheorghe Mureșan to Yao Ming, these players have left an indelible mark on the sport.
The role of 7-foot-plus players has evolved with the changing pace and style of the game. Big men nowadays are expected to at least have a serviceable perimeter shot, or even a three ball handy in a pinch, or at least be a solid and immovable island down the block who can rebound and block shots.
Height advantages in basketball can significantly influence rebounding, shot-blocking, and overall game strategy. That said, exceptionally tall players often face unique challenges, including increased injury risk and potential limitations in mobility and stamina.
Final Thoughts
The world of the tallest NBA players is filled with unique stories, challenges, and triumphs. These athletes have not only pushed the boundaries of human height but also reshaped how we understand and play basketball. Their influence extends beyond the court, affecting everything from team strategies to betting markets.
The evolution of tall players’ roles reflects broader changes in NBA playing styles. Furthermore, advancements in training and medical care are helping tall players overcome historical limitations. As such, the global search for tall talent has expanded the NBA’s international reach and appeal.
For those intrigued by the impact of these towering athletes on NBA betting, Betting News offers in-depth analysis and insights. Our expert team breaks down how these unique players affect game dynamics, providing you with the edge you need for more informed wagers for your preferred NBA betting sites.
Ready to elevate your NBA betting game? Visit Betting News for cutting-edge analysis and tips tailored to the ever-evolving world of professional basketball.