10 Tallest NBA Players of All Time Ranked: Shawn Bradley, Mark Eaton, and More

NBA Players who reach at least 7 feet in height enjoy superior dunking capability. Their extended height creates an effective blocking surface which protects their teammates from opponents’ shooting attempts. Throughout history, taller teams have generated more success in the lane because it remains the primary location for scoring and defense activities.

Height advantage in the NBA led Shaquille O’Neal and Manute Bol to establish their dominance with 7’1” and 7’6″ frame respectively. However, we have listed 10 players with the tallest limbs ever.  

Ranking 10 Tallest NBA Player Ever

Below are ranked the 10 tallest NBA player ever and how their height proves to be beneficial for their game and helps them attain various achievements that transform their career.

#10. Mark Eaton, 7’4″

Below are ranked the 10 tallest NBA player ever and how their height proves to be beneficial for their game and helps them attain various achievements that transform their career. Mark Eaton finished his professional basketball career after spending twelve years playing for the Utah Jazz. The retired NBA player stands at 7 feet 4 inches. Throughout his basketball career, he was dedicated to the Jazz (1982 – 1994). Eaton gained his most recognition for his defensive talents specifically through his exceptional shot-blocking skills.

He later went on to receive the NBA Defensive Player of the Year title in 1989 and also became an All-Star in 1989. Throughout the 1989 season, Eaton shared the celebration of blocking 5.6 shots per game, which established a new franchise record for the Utah Jazz. His massive wingspan together with his height positioned him as a strong force, which required opponents to reevaluate their shot mechanics.

Total games played	Points	Rebounds	Assists	%FG	Player Efficiency Rating
875	6.0	7.9	1.0	45.8	10.9

Also Read: Ranking 10 Best NBA Duos of All Time

#9. Slavko Vranes, 7’5″

According to NBA, the 7 feet 5 inch Slavko Vranes spent a single NBA game as the large center for the Portland Trail Blazers in their 2003–2004 season. During his career he played for multiple teams, including Efes Pilsen, as well as Crvena Zvezda and numerous others. Slavko’s most notable successes in his career unfolded through his European matches, especially at Partizan Belgrade where he gained recognition for outstanding shot blocking and rebounding abilities. The NBA experience for Vranes brought few important statistical accomplishments during his professional tenure.

Vranes used his body height to block shots and defend players near the basket. His large physique created problems for opponents but his limited agility along with mediocre offensive skills combined to make him unremarkable in the NBA.

Total Game Played	Points	Rebounds	Assists	%FG	Player Efficiency Rating
1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	-20.4

#8. Pavel Podkolzin, 7’5″

As a former Dallas Mavericks player from 2004 to 2006, 7 feet 5 inches tall Pavel Podkolzin reached only six games. As a first-round selection at position 21 during the 2004 NBA Draft, he proved unsuccessful in establishing himself as an important player in professional basketball.

Podkolzin achieved his best results by playing in Russia for multiple teams. Although his big stature offered potential strength in defense, his restricted mobility together with his inability to handle speedier attackers eventually restricted his NBA performance to a minimal level.

Total Game Played	Points	Rebounds	Assists	%FG	Player Rating Efficiency
6	0.7	1.5	0.0	0.0	-2.8

#7. Sim Bhullar 7’5″

The 7 feet 5 inch tall Sim Bhullar played for the Sacramento Kings in their 2014-2015 NBA season. Bhullar distinguished himself by becoming the first Indian-descended player to enter an NBA matchup while participating in three contests. The height of Bhullar created an undeniable force in the lane zone where he excelled at blocking shots and grabbing rebounds.

The extreme height of Sim Bhullar provided defensive strength but his reduced mobility and speed made him inadequate against speedy opponents. Despite Bhullar’s towering stature, he faced challenges in the NBA environment due to its rapid scoring rhythm, so he failed to cement his place in the league permanently.

Total Game Played	Points	Rebounds	Assists	%FG	Player Rating Efficiency
3	0.7	0.3	0.3	50.0	44.3

#6. Chuck Nevitt 7’5″

7 feet 5 inch Chuck Nevitt is a former NBA player. Nevitt spent eleven years as the center position for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs, starting in 1983 until 1994. Nevitt belonged to the 1985 NBA championship winning Lakers squad.

As a result of his impressive height, Nevitt created a major defense advantage in the lane which made opponents shift their offensive moves to keep him at bay. Fans bestowed upon him the warm nickname ‘Human Victory Cigar’ because his late-game entrance usually meant positive outcomes for team success.

Total Games Played	Points	Rebounds	Assists	%FG	Player Efficiency Rating
155	1.6	1.5	0.1	43.8	9.1

#5. Tacko Fall 7’6″

Tacko Fall, also known as El Hadji Tacko Sereigne Diop Fall, is a Senegalese professional basketball player who has a height of 7 feet 6 inches. The center position from 2019 to 2022 was where he played with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

In the 2023 Chinese Basketball Association season, Fall took the top spot for blocks among all players at the league. His development as a defensive player included blocking opponents and protecting the lane space, and this contributed to his entire professional basketball career.

Total Game Played	Points	Rebound	Assists	%FG	Player Efficiency Rating
37	2.2	2.4	0.2	67.3	18.7

#4. Yao Ming, 7’6″

According to basketball reference, Yao Ming achieved full retirement after building his professional career as a 7 feet 6 inches tall center. During his career span of 2002 – 2011, he played exclusively for the Houston Rockets and earned eight All-Star selections. Yao’s international career allowed him to guide China to three FIBA Asia Championship gold medals during 2001, 2003, and 2005 while winning MVP awards in all those competitions.

Through his combination of height and basketball talent, he controlled the area near the hoop. His presence on the court created problems for his opponents, as they were compelled to modify their play to negate Ming’s impact. From 2017 until his resignation in October 2024, he held the position of President of the Chinese Basketball Association. In 2016, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame admitted him as a member.

Total Game Played	Points	Rebound	Assists	%FG	Player Efficiency Rating
486	19.0	9.2	1.6	52.4	23.0

#3. Shawn Bradley, 7’6″

Retired NBA player Shawn Bradley was a center for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 7 feet 6 inch player was born on March 22, 1972, in Landstuhl, Germany. During his NBA career, he played for three teams, the Philadelphia 76ers from 1993 to 1995, followed by the New Jersey Nets until 1997, then finished at the Dallas Mavericks from 1997 to 2005.

During the NBA season of 1996–97 Bradley became the leader for blocked shots per game while he also scored the most blocks in the 2000–01 season. His enormous height combined with shot-blocking abilities changed opponent strategies, moreover, opponents prevented drives to the basket and frequently refrained from playing near his defensive area.

Total Game Played	Points	rebound	Assist	%FG	Player Efficiency Rating
832	8.1	6.3	0.7	45.7	16.0

#2. Manute Bol, 7’6″

The Sudanese-American professional basketball player Manute Bol was 7 feet 7 inches tall. It was his height which established his reputation for blocking shots successfully. Bol spent his NBA career at the Washington Bullets (1985–1988), Golden State Warriors (1988–1990), Philadelphia 76ers (1990–1993) and Miami Heat (1993–1994).

Within the 1986 and 1989 NBA seasons, Manute Bol achieved the top rating for blocks per game which earned him placement on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1986. His massive stature along with his long reach through the lane forced opponents to modify their offensive plans because of his dominant defensive reach. Bol extended his influence through life by dedicating his athletic success to humanitarian efforts that included both human rights activism and refugee aid support for Sudanese people.

Total Game Played	Points	Rebound	Assist	%FG	Player Efficiency Rating
624	2.6	4.2	0.3	40.7	9.4

#1. Gheorghe Muresan, 7’7″

7 feet 7 inches tall Gheorghe Mureșan completed his professional basketball career after playing 6 seasons. During his NBA career from 1993 to 2000, from 1993–1998 he played for the Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards) before joining the New Jersey Nets as their next franchise stop (1999–2000). Mureșan took home the 1996 NBA Most Improved Player accolade following his impressive statistical year with 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.26 blocks.

The defensive advantages from the tallest player in NBA history made him a quick-moving big man who blocked many shots while occupying the opponent’s interior spaces. The large frame of Mureșan took over the post area for both offensive and defensive purposes, which helped his efficient scoring performance in the lane. Among current NBA athletes he holds a position as one of the tallest players ever recorded.

Total Game Played	Points	Rebound	Assist	%FG	Player Efficiency Rating
307	9.8	6.4	0.5	57.3	18.1

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