Who Is the Tallest Player in the NBA? Tallest Players in League History
From the paint to the padding room — the NBA has seen giants walk its courts. A handful of extraordinary individuals tower over their peers, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in basketball. Their size isn’t just a record — it shaped how they played, how teams defended, and how the game evolved.
From the paint to the padding room — the NBA has seen giants walk its courts. A handful of extraordinary individuals tower over their peers, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in basketball. Their size isn’t just a record — it shaped how they played, how teams defended, and how the game evolved.
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The Giants of NBA History: Tallest Players and Their Stories
Gheorghe Mureşan (7′7″)
● Mureşan, from Romania, stands at 7′7″ (2.31 m) — tied as the tallest player ever in the NBA.
● He spent several seasons primarily with the Washington Bullets / Wizards and briefly with other teams. Known for his size, he could alter shots, dominate the paint, and change how offenses approached the rim.
● Despite his height, Mureșan faced challenges typical for extremely tall players: mobility, injuries, and conditioning made consistency difficult. Still, he remains a towering figure — literally — in NBA lore.
Manute Bol (7′7″)
● Bol also measured 7′7″ (2.31 m), sharing the record for tallest ever.
● As one of the most formidable shot‑blockers the league has ever seen, Bol’s length and wingspan made him a defensive nightmare for opposing offenses.
● Though his offensive contributions were limited compared to his defensivepresence, Bol’s journey — from Sudan to the NBA — stands as a lasting legacy of resilience and uniqueness.
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Shawn Bradley (7′6″)
● Bradley, at 7′6″ (2.29 m), ranks among the uppermost tier of NBA giants.
● Drafted high and expected to dominate as a big man, Bradley used his height for blocks and interior defense. In seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, he led the league in blocks one year.
● However, like many very tall players, he struggled with agility, injuries, and consistency — illustrating that height alone isn’t enough for sustained dominance.
Yao Ming & Other 7′6″ – 7′5″ Players
● Yao Ming, another 7′6″ giant, combined size with skill and became a global ambassador for the NBA.
● Others who reached towering 7′5″ heights include Chuck Nevitt, Pavel Podkolzin, and Sim Bhullar, among a small group of players whose rare size earned them places in the league’s record books.
● These players generally played center, used their height for rim protection and rebounding — even if their careers were shorter or less celebrated than more athletic or versatile peers.
