Have you ever been told “you’re so tall, you should play basketball!”? Well, these guys did, and they took it personal.
Jokes and memes aside, the NBA has gathered the tallest high-performance athletes the world has ever seen. Height comes with very obvious advantages in Basketball, but when you’re playing at such a high level, physical conditioning and injuries tend to plague these giants too.
Despite it all, these giants managed to go toe-to-toe with legends of the sport with tremendous success. Some of them became legends themselves and regarded beyond their obvious physical attributes.
Here’s the top 5 of the tallest NBA players in history!
Gheorge Muresan: The Tallest NBA Player in History
Gheorghe Mureșan hailed from Romania, and stood at an unbelievable 7-foot-7-inch (2.31 m). He played as a center, a position known to have some of the tallest and most physically strong players in the league. Centers typically handle rebounds, blocking shots and rim protection, and all of these tasks are easier performed if you’re taller than the rest. Gheorghe was literally taller than anyone else in the NBA, so it was the perfect position for him.
Mureșan could stand near the basket and block short-range shots, and with short calculated jumps he could grab rebounds like no other. Trying to shoot over a skilled 7’7″ wasn’t easy either, so good luck trying to take a mid-range shot too!
Gheorghe’s height did limit his overall mobility and speed, but he more than made up for it with rebounds and those reliable 2-pointers he could score when he was playing inside. He played for the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA. In 1996, he even won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, he averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game which shows how much he developed his game throughout the years.
Off the court, Gheorghe is known for his friendly personality and has done a bit of acting and community work after his basketball career. He appeared in the movie “My Giant” alongside Billy Crystal and he was as cool on camera as he was off it, so this ended up being a very easy role for him. The guy has a great attitude and is, by all account, a genuinely good person too.
Manute Bol: One of the Tallest NBA Players Ever
Manute Bol was a defensive giant back in the day, standing at 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). His last name might sound familiar to you, and that’s because his son currently plays ball and he’s also one of the tallest players in the NBA today!
The Bol family has some fantastic NBA genes, and Manute was the first to make the most out of them at the highest level of play. Manute started playing basketball back in Sudan, a very humble place on earth where he’d regularly have to play pickup games barefoot because there weren’t even shoes of his size available.
However, he was convinced that with enough work and talent, he’d reach new heights (pun intended). Manute had a wonderful personality, work ethic and tremendous talent, and with his exceptional height, he was able to find his way to the NBA.
Manute rocked the league like few other rookies ever have. During the 1985-86 season, Bol blocked 397 shots, which is the second-most in a single season in NBA history. What makes this even more impressive is that he did this as a rookie, leading the league in blocks in his very first season. In fact, he logged 15 blocks in a single game, which is the highest number of blocks any rookie has gotten in NBA history.
Many people remember the game where he blocked Michael Jordan himself four times in a single quarter. Blocking the greatest of all time so many times in such a short window of time was absolutely crazy, but Manute was never really an average guy to begin with. He was used to doing the impossible, and his height certainly helped.
He was also known for his mentorship capabilities, aiding and guiding many new players in the league. No doubt he had a huge impact on helping his kid become the magnificent player he is today.
Tacko Fall
Tacko Fall had a towering presence, clocking in at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 meters), and he’s by far one of the most interesting players that played in the NBA. He comes from Senegal and -get this – he only started playing basketball at age 16 when he got to the USA. He was a late bloomer, but he had a natural talent for the game and tremendous height.
He eventually played college basketball at the University of Central Florida (UCF). At the 2019 NCAA Tournament, his team nearly defeated the Duke Blue Devils, with Tacko blocking shots and scoring points left and right against Zion Williamson, a future NBA star. Suddenly, this CompSci major became a media sensation around the basketball world.
He signed with the Boston Celtics and became an instant fan favorite. He didn’t see much action in the league, but he had respectable blocking stats and definitely would’ve been a legend if he had started his basketball career earlier in life.
That being said, his height and friendly personality really resonated with the crowd, and all his teammates fondly remember his cheerful demeanor and positive attitude.
Tacko was no stranger to hardship. His time in Senegal taught him the value of being humble and kind to others, and he definitely gave back to his community even after retirement. He often participates in basketball clinics for kids and other charitable events. Overall, a great guy to be around and a wonderful person by all accounts.
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is our first hall-of-famer in our list with a towering presence of 7-foot 6-inch (2.29-meters). Yao wasn’t just tall; he was incredibly skilled. He had great footwork, a soft shooting touch, and could score from mid-range as well as close to the basket. He proves that, if you want to stand out in the NBA, you’ll need more than height: you’ll need tremendous skills and wits.
Ming had trouble adapting to the NBA’s fast-paced action at first, in fact, he didn’t even score during his first game. But he quickly got over that and landed several standout performances in his rookie season, earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. Everyone who saw them remembers when Yao faced Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. Yao blocked Shaq’s first three shots in their first game against each other, signaling that he could compete with the best. Seeing these two giants duke it out was exceptional, and it earned him recognition amongst fans and players alike.
Yao became the team’s defensive anchor, and would eventually become an eight-time NBA All-Star. He was often the leading vote-getter for the All-Star game, showing how popular he was among fans worldwide. You have to remember that NBA wasn’t popular in China at all, but Yao put the sport in the map back in his country.
His peak performance took place during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Yao led the Houston Rockets to a first-round victory over the Trail Blazers with 24 points in the first half without missing a single shot, going 9-for-9 during play and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Yao become an NBA icon, and it wasn’t just because of his famous memes, but because of how incredibly dominant and down-to-earth he was. Ming was a perfect combination of talent, humility, wits and incredible height.
Shawn Bradley
Shawn Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history, with an impressive height of 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). You can probably already guess which position he played by now, and if you thought “center”, then you’re 100% correct.
Bradley wasn’t just any center though, over his career, he averaged 2.5 blocks per game, and he even led the league in blocks during the 1996-97 season. He had an incredible game when he accomplished a a triple-double that included blocks. That game, he had 22 points, 22 rebounds, and 13 blocks in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s an insane performance to even think about, and it shows just how dominant Bradley could be on the court.
Most people, however, got to know Shawn from the all-time classic “Space Jam”. He was one of the players whose talent was stolen by the Monstars, the movie’s villains. If you saw the movie as a kid, you’ll no doubt remember the super tall monster that basically stomped on the Looney Tunes with relative ease. That villain was specifically modeled after Shawn!
Over his career, Shawn accumulated more than 2,000 blocks, which ranks him among the top shot blockers in NBA history. He’s by far one of the most successful players at making the most out of his height on the NBA.
Unfortunately, Shawn was involved in a serious bicycle accident that left him paralyzed back in 2021. Shawn stressed that he wanted to keep the identity of the mother that struck him to prevent fans from going after her in what was clearly a most unfortunate accident. This speaks volumes of the kind of person Shawn is, and I sincerely hope he gets to live a happy, fulfilling life with his family. He’s an inspiration for NBA fans around the world and an overall great guy.
Final Words
FAQs About the Tallest NBA Players
Who is the tallest player in NBA history?
Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, both standing at 7 feet 7 inches.
How tall is the average NBA player?
The average height is around 6 feet 7 inches.
Do taller players have a higher risk of injuries?
Yes, due to the physical strain and unique biomechanics associated with their height.
How do tall players train differently?
Emphasis on agility, balance, and injury prevention exercises tailored to their height.
Have you ever been told “you’re so tall, you should play basketball!”? Well, these guys did, and they took it personal.
Jokes and memes aside, the NBA has gathered the tallest high-performance athletes the world has ever seen. Height comes with very obvious advantages in Basketball, but when you’re playing at such a high level, physical conditioning and injuries tend to plague these giants too.
Despite it all, these giants managed to go toe-to-toe with legends of the sport with tremendous success. Some of them became legends themselves and regarded beyond their obvious physical attributes.
Here’s the top 5 of the tallest NBA players in history!
Gheorge Muresan: The Tallest NBA Player in History
Gheorghe Mureșan hailed from Romania, and stood at an unbelievable 7-foot-7-inch (2.31 m). He played as a center, a position known to have some of the tallest and most physically strong players in the league. Centers typically handle rebounds, blocking shots and rim protection, and all of these tasks are easier performed if you’re taller than the rest. Gheorghe was literally taller than anyone else in the NBA, so it was the perfect position for him.
Mureșan could stand near the basket and block short-range shots, and with short calculated jumps he could grab rebounds like no other. Trying to shoot over a skilled 7’7″ wasn’t easy either, so good luck trying to take a mid-range shot too!
Gheorghe’s height did limit his overall mobility and speed, but he more than made up for it with rebounds and those reliable 2-pointers he could score when he was playing inside. He played for the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA. In 1996, he even won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, he averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game which shows how much he developed his game throughout the years.
Off the court, Gheorghe is known for his friendly personality and has done a bit of acting and community work after his basketball career. He appeared in the movie “My Giant” alongside Billy Crystal and he was as cool on camera as he was off it, so this ended up being a very easy role for him. The guy has a great attitude and is, by all account, a genuinely good person too.
Manute Bol: One of the Tallest NBA Players Ever
Manute Bol was a defensive giant back in the day, standing at 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). His last name might sound familiar to you, and that’s because his son currently plays ball and he’s also one of the tallest players in the NBA today!
The Bol family has some fantastic NBA genes, and Manute was the first to make the most out of them at the highest level of play. Manute started playing basketball back in Sudan, a very humble place on earth where he’d regularly have to play pickup games barefoot because there weren’t even shoes of his size available.
However, he was convinced that with enough work and talent, he’d reach new heights (pun intended). Manute had a wonderful personality, work ethic and tremendous talent, and with his exceptional height, he was able to find his way to the NBA.
Manute rocked the league like few other rookies ever have. During the 1985-86 season, Bol blocked 397 shots, which is the second-most in a single season in NBA history. What makes this even more impressive is that he did this as a rookie, leading the league in blocks in his very first season. In fact, he logged 15 blocks in a single game, which is the highest number of blocks any rookie has gotten in NBA history.
Many people remember the game where he blocked Michael Jordan himself four times in a single quarter. Blocking the greatest of all time so many times in such a short window of time was absolutely crazy, but Manute was never really an average guy to begin with. He was used to doing the impossible, and his height certainly helped.
He was also known for his mentorship capabilities, aiding and guiding many new players in the league. No doubt he had a huge impact on helping his kid become the magnificent player he is today.
Tacko Fall
Tacko Fall had a towering presence, clocking in at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 meters), and he’s by far one of the most interesting players that played in the NBA. He comes from Senegal and -get this – he only started playing basketball at age 16 when he got to the USA. He was a late bloomer, but he had a natural talent for the game and tremendous height.
He eventually played college basketball at the University of Central Florida (UCF). At the 2019 NCAA Tournament, his team nearly defeated the Duke Blue Devils, with Tacko blocking shots and scoring points left and right against Zion Williamson, a future NBA star. Suddenly, this CompSci major became a media sensation around the basketball world.
He signed with the Boston Celtics and became an instant fan favorite. He didn’t see much action in the league, but he had respectable blocking stats and definitely would’ve been a legend if he had started his basketball career earlier in life.
That being said, his height and friendly personality really resonated with the crowd, and all his teammates fondly remember his cheerful demeanor and positive attitude.
Tacko was no stranger to hardship. His time in Senegal taught him the value of being humble and kind to others, and he definitely gave back to his community even after retirement. He often participates in basketball clinics for kids and other charitable events. Overall, a great guy to be around and a wonderful person by all accounts.
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is our first hall-of-famer in our list with a towering presence of 7-foot 6-inch (2.29-meters). Yao wasn’t just tall; he was incredibly skilled. He had great footwork, a soft shooting touch, and could score from mid-range as well as close to the basket. He proves that, if you want to stand out in the NBA, you’ll need more than height: you’ll need tremendous skills and wits.
Ming had trouble adapting to the NBA’s fast-paced action at first, in fact, he didn’t even score during his first game. But he quickly got over that and landed several standout performances in his rookie season, earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. Everyone who saw them remembers when Yao faced Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. Yao blocked Shaq’s first three shots in their first game against each other, signaling that he could compete with the best. Seeing these two giants duke it out was exceptional, and it earned him recognition amongst fans and players alike.
Yao became the team’s defensive anchor, and would eventually become an eight-time NBA All-Star. He was often the leading vote-getter for the All-Star game, showing how popular he was among fans worldwide. You have to remember that NBA wasn’t popular in China at all, but Yao put the sport in the map back in his country.
His peak performance took place during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Yao led the Houston Rockets to a first-round victory over the Trail Blazers with 24 points in the first half without missing a single shot, going 9-for-9 during play and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Yao become an NBA icon, and it wasn’t just because of his famous memes, but because of how incredibly dominant and down-to-earth he was. Ming was a perfect combination of talent, humility, wits and incredible height.
Shawn Bradley
Shawn Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history, with an impressive height of 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). You can probably already guess which position he played by now, and if you thought “center”, then you’re 100% correct.
Bradley wasn’t just any center though, over his career, he averaged 2.5 blocks per game, and he even led the league in blocks during the 1996-97 season. He had an incredible game when he accomplished a a triple-double that included blocks. That game, he had 22 points, 22 rebounds, and 13 blocks in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s an insane performance to even think about, and it shows just how dominant Bradley could be on the court.
Most people, however, got to know Shawn from the all-time classic “Space Jam”. He was one of the players whose talent was stolen by the Monstars, the movie’s villains. If you saw the movie as a kid, you’ll no doubt remember the super tall monster that basically stomped on the Looney Tunes with relative ease. That villain was specifically modeled after Shawn!
Over his career, Shawn accumulated more than 2,000 blocks, which ranks him among the top shot blockers in NBA history. He’s by far one of the most successful players at making the most out of his height on the NBA.
Unfortunately, Shawn was involved in a serious bicycle accident that left him paralyzed back in 2021. Shawn stressed that he wanted to keep the identity of the mother that struck him to prevent fans from going after her in what was clearly a most unfortunate accident. This speaks volumes of the kind of person Shawn is, and I sincerely hope he gets to live a happy, fulfilling life with his family. He’s an inspiration for NBA fans around the world and an overall great guy.
Final Words
FAQs About the Tallest NBA Players
Who is the tallest player in NBA history?
Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, both standing at 7 feet 7 inches.
How tall is the average NBA player?
The average height is around 6 feet 7 inches.
Do taller players have a higher risk of injuries?
Yes, due to the physical strain and unique biomechanics associated with their height.
How do tall players train differently?
Emphasis on agility, balance, and injury prevention exercises tailored to their height.
Related Posts
Have you ever been told “you’re so tall, you should play basketball!”? Well, these guys did, and they took it personal.
Jokes and memes aside, the NBA has gathered the tallest high-performance athletes the world has ever seen. Height comes with very obvious advantages in Basketball, but when you’re playing at such a high level, physical conditioning and injuries tend to plague these giants too.
Despite it all, these giants managed to go toe-to-toe with legends of the sport with tremendous success. Some of them became legends themselves and regarded beyond their obvious physical attributes.
Here’s the top 5 of the tallest NBA players in history!
Gheorge Muresan: The Tallest NBA Player in History
Gheorghe Mureșan hailed from Romania, and stood at an unbelievable 7-foot-7-inch (2.31 m). He played as a center, a position known to have some of the tallest and most physically strong players in the league. Centers typically handle rebounds, blocking shots and rim protection, and all of these tasks are easier performed if you’re taller than the rest. Gheorghe was literally taller than anyone else in the NBA, so it was the perfect position for him.
Mureșan could stand near the basket and block short-range shots, and with short calculated jumps he could grab rebounds like no other. Trying to shoot over a skilled 7’7″ wasn’t easy either, so good luck trying to take a mid-range shot too!
Gheorghe’s height did limit his overall mobility and speed, but he more than made up for it with rebounds and those reliable 2-pointers he could score when he was playing inside. He played for the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA. In 1996, he even won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, he averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game which shows how much he developed his game throughout the years.
Off the court, Gheorghe is known for his friendly personality and has done a bit of acting and community work after his basketball career. He appeared in the movie “My Giant” alongside Billy Crystal and he was as cool on camera as he was off it, so this ended up being a very easy role for him. The guy has a great attitude and is, by all account, a genuinely good person too.
Manute Bol: One of the Tallest NBA Players Ever
Manute Bol was a defensive giant back in the day, standing at 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). His last name might sound familiar to you, and that’s because his son currently plays ball and he’s also one of the tallest players in the NBA today!
The Bol family has some fantastic NBA genes, and Manute was the first to make the most out of them at the highest level of play. Manute started playing basketball back in Sudan, a very humble place on earth where he’d regularly have to play pickup games barefoot because there weren’t even shoes of his size available.
However, he was convinced that with enough work and talent, he’d reach new heights (pun intended). Manute had a wonderful personality, work ethic and tremendous talent, and with his exceptional height, he was able to find his way to the NBA.
Manute rocked the league like few other rookies ever have. During the 1985-86 season, Bol blocked 397 shots, which is the second-most in a single season in NBA history. What makes this even more impressive is that he did this as a rookie, leading the league in blocks in his very first season. In fact, he logged 15 blocks in a single game, which is the highest number of blocks any rookie has gotten in NBA history.
Many people remember the game where he blocked Michael Jordan himself four times in a single quarter. Blocking the greatest of all time so many times in such a short window of time was absolutely crazy, but Manute was never really an average guy to begin with. He was used to doing the impossible, and his height certainly helped.
He was also known for his mentorship capabilities, aiding and guiding many new players in the league. No doubt he had a huge impact on helping his kid become the magnificent player he is today.
Tacko Fall
Tacko Fall had a towering presence, clocking in at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 meters), and he’s by far one of the most interesting players that played in the NBA. He comes from Senegal and -get this – he only started playing basketball at age 16 when he got to the USA. He was a late bloomer, but he had a natural talent for the game and tremendous height.
He eventually played college basketball at the University of Central Florida (UCF). At the 2019 NCAA Tournament, his team nearly defeated the Duke Blue Devils, with Tacko blocking shots and scoring points left and right against Zion Williamson, a future NBA star. Suddenly, this CompSci major became a media sensation around the basketball world.
He signed with the Boston Celtics and became an instant fan favorite. He didn’t see much action in the league, but he had respectable blocking stats and definitely would’ve been a legend if he had started his basketball career earlier in life.
That being said, his height and friendly personality really resonated with the crowd, and all his teammates fondly remember his cheerful demeanor and positive attitude.
Tacko was no stranger to hardship. His time in Senegal taught him the value of being humble and kind to others, and he definitely gave back to his community even after retirement. He often participates in basketball clinics for kids and other charitable events. Overall, a great guy to be around and a wonderful person by all accounts.
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is our first hall-of-famer in our list with a towering presence of 7-foot 6-inch (2.29-meters). Yao wasn’t just tall; he was incredibly skilled. He had great footwork, a soft shooting touch, and could score from mid-range as well as close to the basket. He proves that, if you want to stand out in the NBA, you’ll need more than height: you’ll need tremendous skills and wits.
Ming had trouble adapting to the NBA’s fast-paced action at first, in fact, he didn’t even score during his first game. But he quickly got over that and landed several standout performances in his rookie season, earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. Everyone who saw them remembers when Yao faced Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. Yao blocked Shaq’s first three shots in their first game against each other, signaling that he could compete with the best. Seeing these two giants duke it out was exceptional, and it earned him recognition amongst fans and players alike.
Yao became the team’s defensive anchor, and would eventually become an eight-time NBA All-Star. He was often the leading vote-getter for the All-Star game, showing how popular he was among fans worldwide. You have to remember that NBA wasn’t popular in China at all, but Yao put the sport in the map back in his country.
His peak performance took place during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Yao led the Houston Rockets to a first-round victory over the Trail Blazers with 24 points in the first half without missing a single shot, going 9-for-9 during play and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Yao become an NBA icon, and it wasn’t just because of his famous memes, but because of how incredibly dominant and down-to-earth he was. Ming was a perfect combination of talent, humility, wits and incredible height.
Shawn Bradley
Shawn Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history, with an impressive height of 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). You can probably already guess which position he played by now, and if you thought “center”, then you’re 100% correct.
Bradley wasn’t just any center though, over his career, he averaged 2.5 blocks per game, and he even led the league in blocks during the 1996-97 season. He had an incredible game when he accomplished a a triple-double that included blocks. That game, he had 22 points, 22 rebounds, and 13 blocks in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s an insane performance to even think about, and it shows just how dominant Bradley could be on the court.
Most people, however, got to know Shawn from the all-time classic “Space Jam”. He was one of the players whose talent was stolen by the Monstars, the movie’s villains. If you saw the movie as a kid, you’ll no doubt remember the super tall monster that basically stomped on the Looney Tunes with relative ease. That villain was specifically modeled after Shawn!
Over his career, Shawn accumulated more than 2,000 blocks, which ranks him among the top shot blockers in NBA history. He’s by far one of the most successful players at making the most out of his height on the NBA.
Unfortunately, Shawn was involved in a serious bicycle accident that left him paralyzed back in 2021. Shawn stressed that he wanted to keep the identity of the mother that struck him to prevent fans from going after her in what was clearly a most unfortunate accident. This speaks volumes of the kind of person Shawn is, and I sincerely hope he gets to live a happy, fulfilling life with his family. He’s an inspiration for NBA fans around the world and an overall great guy.
Final Words
FAQs About the Tallest NBA Players
Who is the tallest player in NBA history?
Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, both standing at 7 feet 7 inches.
How tall is the average NBA player?
The average height is around 6 feet 7 inches.
Do taller players have a higher risk of injuries?
Yes, due to the physical strain and unique biomechanics associated with their height.
How do tall players train differently?
Emphasis on agility, balance, and injury prevention exercises tailored to their height.
Have you ever been told “you’re so tall, you should play basketball!”? Well, these guys did, and they took it personal.
Jokes and memes aside, the NBA has gathered the tallest high-performance athletes the world has ever seen. Height comes with very obvious advantages in Basketball, but when you’re playing at such a high level, physical conditioning and injuries tend to plague these giants too.
Despite it all, these giants managed to go toe-to-toe with legends of the sport with tremendous success. Some of them became legends themselves and regarded beyond their obvious physical attributes.
Here’s the top 5 of the tallest NBA players in history!
Gheorge Muresan: The Tallest NBA Player in History
Gheorghe Mureșan hailed from Romania, and stood at an unbelievable 7-foot-7-inch (2.31 m). He played as a center, a position known to have some of the tallest and most physically strong players in the league. Centers typically handle rebounds, blocking shots and rim protection, and all of these tasks are easier performed if you’re taller than the rest. Gheorghe was literally taller than anyone else in the NBA, so it was the perfect position for him.
Mureșan could stand near the basket and block short-range shots, and with short calculated jumps he could grab rebounds like no other. Trying to shoot over a skilled 7’7″ wasn’t easy either, so good luck trying to take a mid-range shot too!
Gheorghe’s height did limit his overall mobility and speed, but he more than made up for it with rebounds and those reliable 2-pointers he could score when he was playing inside. He played for the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA. In 1996, he even won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, he averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game which shows how much he developed his game throughout the years.
Off the court, Gheorghe is known for his friendly personality and has done a bit of acting and community work after his basketball career. He appeared in the movie “My Giant” alongside Billy Crystal and he was as cool on camera as he was off it, so this ended up being a very easy role for him. The guy has a great attitude and is, by all account, a genuinely good person too.
Manute Bol: One of the Tallest NBA Players Ever
Manute Bol was a defensive giant back in the day, standing at 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). His last name might sound familiar to you, and that’s because his son currently plays ball and he’s also one of the tallest players in the NBA today!
The Bol family has some fantastic NBA genes, and Manute was the first to make the most out of them at the highest level of play. Manute started playing basketball back in Sudan, a very humble place on earth where he’d regularly have to play pickup games barefoot because there weren’t even shoes of his size available.
However, he was convinced that with enough work and talent, he’d reach new heights (pun intended). Manute had a wonderful personality, work ethic and tremendous talent, and with his exceptional height, he was able to find his way to the NBA.
Manute rocked the league like few other rookies ever have. During the 1985-86 season, Bol blocked 397 shots, which is the second-most in a single season in NBA history. What makes this even more impressive is that he did this as a rookie, leading the league in blocks in his very first season. In fact, he logged 15 blocks in a single game, which is the highest number of blocks any rookie has gotten in NBA history.
Many people remember the game where he blocked Michael Jordan himself four times in a single quarter. Blocking the greatest of all time so many times in such a short window of time was absolutely crazy, but Manute was never really an average guy to begin with. He was used to doing the impossible, and his height certainly helped.
He was also known for his mentorship capabilities, aiding and guiding many new players in the league. No doubt he had a huge impact on helping his kid become the magnificent player he is today.
Tacko Fall
Tacko Fall had a towering presence, clocking in at 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 meters), and he’s by far one of the most interesting players that played in the NBA. He comes from Senegal and -get this – he only started playing basketball at age 16 when he got to the USA. He was a late bloomer, but he had a natural talent for the game and tremendous height.
He eventually played college basketball at the University of Central Florida (UCF). At the 2019 NCAA Tournament, his team nearly defeated the Duke Blue Devils, with Tacko blocking shots and scoring points left and right against Zion Williamson, a future NBA star. Suddenly, this CompSci major became a media sensation around the basketball world.
He signed with the Boston Celtics and became an instant fan favorite. He didn’t see much action in the league, but he had respectable blocking stats and definitely would’ve been a legend if he had started his basketball career earlier in life.
That being said, his height and friendly personality really resonated with the crowd, and all his teammates fondly remember his cheerful demeanor and positive attitude.
Tacko was no stranger to hardship. His time in Senegal taught him the value of being humble and kind to others, and he definitely gave back to his community even after retirement. He often participates in basketball clinics for kids and other charitable events. Overall, a great guy to be around and a wonderful person by all accounts.
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is our first hall-of-famer in our list with a towering presence of 7-foot 6-inch (2.29-meters). Yao wasn’t just tall; he was incredibly skilled. He had great footwork, a soft shooting touch, and could score from mid-range as well as close to the basket. He proves that, if you want to stand out in the NBA, you’ll need more than height: you’ll need tremendous skills and wits.
Ming had trouble adapting to the NBA’s fast-paced action at first, in fact, he didn’t even score during his first game. But he quickly got over that and landed several standout performances in his rookie season, earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team. Everyone who saw them remembers when Yao faced Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. Yao blocked Shaq’s first three shots in their first game against each other, signaling that he could compete with the best. Seeing these two giants duke it out was exceptional, and it earned him recognition amongst fans and players alike.
Yao became the team’s defensive anchor, and would eventually become an eight-time NBA All-Star. He was often the leading vote-getter for the All-Star game, showing how popular he was among fans worldwide. You have to remember that NBA wasn’t popular in China at all, but Yao put the sport in the map back in his country.
His peak performance took place during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Yao led the Houston Rockets to a first-round victory over the Trail Blazers with 24 points in the first half without missing a single shot, going 9-for-9 during play and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Yao become an NBA icon, and it wasn’t just because of his famous memes, but because of how incredibly dominant and down-to-earth he was. Ming was a perfect combination of talent, humility, wits and incredible height.
Shawn Bradley
Shawn Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history, with an impressive height of 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m). You can probably already guess which position he played by now, and if you thought “center”, then you’re 100% correct.
Bradley wasn’t just any center though, over his career, he averaged 2.5 blocks per game, and he even led the league in blocks during the 1996-97 season. He had an incredible game when he accomplished a a triple-double that included blocks. That game, he had 22 points, 22 rebounds, and 13 blocks in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. It’s an insane performance to even think about, and it shows just how dominant Bradley could be on the court.
Most people, however, got to know Shawn from the all-time classic “Space Jam”. He was one of the players whose talent was stolen by the Monstars, the movie’s villains. If you saw the movie as a kid, you’ll no doubt remember the super tall monster that basically stomped on the Looney Tunes with relative ease. That villain was specifically modeled after Shawn!
Over his career, Shawn accumulated more than 2,000 blocks, which ranks him among the top shot blockers in NBA history. He’s by far one of the most successful players at making the most out of his height on the NBA.
Unfortunately, Shawn was involved in a serious bicycle accident that left him paralyzed back in 2021. Shawn stressed that he wanted to keep the identity of the mother that struck him to prevent fans from going after her in what was clearly a most unfortunate accident. This speaks volumes of the kind of person Shawn is, and I sincerely hope he gets to live a happy, fulfilling life with his family. He’s an inspiration for NBA fans around the world and an overall great guy.
Final Words
FAQs About the Tallest NBA Players
Who is the tallest player in NBA history?
Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, both standing at 7 feet 7 inches.
How tall is the average NBA player?
The average height is around 6 feet 7 inches.
Do taller players have a higher risk of injuries?
Yes, due to the physical strain and unique biomechanics associated with their height.
How do tall players train differently?
Emphasis on agility, balance, and injury prevention exercises tailored to their height.
