Who is the tallest NBA player? Does Victor Wembanyama make the 10 tallest NBA players ever?

Since the NBA's inception, towering athletes have left a distinct imprint on the league, even as the game has evolved to prioritise pace, perimeter shooting, and positional versatility.

Whether swatting away shots under the rim, dominating the glass, or forcing opponents to rethink their strategies with their imposing presence, the league's tallest players have consistently made an indelible impact.

Throughout NBA history, franchises have searched worldwide for players capable of providing a decisive edge in the paint whether as rim protectors, rebounders, or offensive focal points.

These select athletes have captured the imagination of fans worldwide and redefined the boundaries of the game. While extraordinary height presents its own challenges, from mobility concerns to the physical toll on their bodies, the ability of these players to command attention at both ends of the floor is undeniable.

Here, Sports Mole takes a comprehensive look at the tallest players ever to grace the NBA. From brief cult heroes to Hall of Fame legends, these men have expanded the boundaries of basketball and left a lasting legacy on the sport’s history.

WHO IS THE TALLEST NBA PLAYER?

Standing at 7ft 4in, Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey and San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama are currently the tallest players in the NBA. They narrowly edge out Minnesota Timberwolves' Rocco Zikarsky, who is listed at 7ft 3in.

Selected ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft, 7-foot-4 center Zach Edey brought immediate size and interior presence to the league.

He quickly established himself as a reliable interior anchor and impactful shot-blocker for Memphis, earning NBA All-Rookie Team honours in his debut season.

Drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2023, French phenom Victor Wembanyama quickly established himself as a generational NBA talent. Combining his unprecedented height with fluid perimeter skills, he earned unanimous 2023-24 Rookie of the Year honours.

ZACH EDEY HEIGHT

Minnesota Timberwolves center Zach Edey stands an imposing 7ft 4in tall and boasts a 7ft 10in wingspan, making him one of the NBA’s most physically dominant figures.

After a dominant college career at Purdue, Edey transitioned smoothly into the NBA, capitalising on his efficient scoring around the rim and relentless offensive rebounding.

Edey's elite strength, screening, and paint scoring demonstrate that traditional, physically imposing centers still offer substantial value in the fast-paced modern game.

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA HEIGHT

Victor Wembanyama, standing at a towering 7’4”, has quickly become one of the NBA’s most dominant forces.

After earning unanimous 2023-24 Rookie of the Year honours, Wembanyama reached new heights in the 2025-26 season by becoming the youngest and first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history.

Combining unprecedented height, fluid perimeter skills, and elite shot-blocking, he claimed Western Conference Finals MVP honours while leading San Antonio to an impressive run to the 2026 NBA Finals.

Wembanyama's rare blend of deep shooting range, playmaking, and game-changing rim protection continues to cement his status as a dominant centrepiece, poised to reshape the modern game.

WHO IS THE TALLEST NBA PLAYER EVER?

Gheorghe Muresan remains the tallest player ever to appear in the NBA, standing at 7ft 7in. The Romanian center played for the Washington Bullets (now the Washington Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets (now the Brooklyn Nets) from 1993 to 2001.

Drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1993, the Romanian big man spent seven seasons in the league before signing for French franchise Elan Bearnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez.

Muresan led the NBA in field-goal percentage during the 1995-96 season, shooting 58.4% on his way to winning the NBA Most Improved Player award. He repeated this feat the following year, topping the league in shooting percentage with an impressive 60.4%.

Alongside Muresan, the NBA has featured several towering figures, including Shawn Bradley, who also stood at 7ft 6in, and 7ft 5in Chuck Nevitt.

In the 1981 NBA Draft, 7ft 8in center Yasutaka Okayama was selected by the Golden State Warriors, making him the tallest player ever drafted. However, he never played in the league, choosing instead to remain in his native Japan.