In a sport where size can be the difference between victory and defeat, height continues to be one of the most valuable assets in basketball. The game has evolved over the decades, but the significance of towering players has never waned.
Whether it is blocking shots, dominating rebounds, or altering the course of a match with their mere presence, the tallest athletes have often shaped the way basketball is played at the highest level.
The NBA has long been home to some of the tallest and most physically imposing athletes on the planet. Over the years, franchises have built their strategies and roster decisions around these exceptional individuals, recognising the unique matchup problems their height can create for opponents. From legendary big men of the past to modern-day stars, these giants have left an indelible mark on the sport.
While the league has always featured players of remarkable size, only a select few have truly stood out for their extraordinary height. These athletes have not only captured the imagination of fans but have also redefined what is possible on the court. Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the tallest players in the league.
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 Bol Bol, who is listed at 7ft 3in.
After leading the Purdue Boilermakers to the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game, Edey was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Edey made a solid impression in his debut campaign, helping the Grizzlies secure an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference before an early playoff exit against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Wembanyama, drafted one year prior to Edey, has quickly transitioned from rookie sensation to franchise superstar for a San Antonio organisation with a rich history of elite big men, including David Robinson and Tim Duncan.
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.
He made his mark at Purdue, setting school records for both career points (2,516) and rebounds (1,321), and departing as a two-time Naismith College Player of the Year.
Edey became the first player since Ralph Sampson (1982 and 1983) to win the college MVP award in consecutive years, before being selected by the Memphis Grizzlies as the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
In his debut season, the Canadian made 66 appearances, averaging 9.2 points, 1.3 blocks and a rookie-leading 8.3 rebounds per game.
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA HEIGHT
Victor Wembanyama, standing at a towering 7’4”, has quickly become one of the NBA’s most dominant forces. After averaging 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.5 blocks per game in the 2025-26 campaign, the San Antonio Spurs star is on track for All-NBA First Team honours.
The French center was selected as the number one overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs and wasted no time establishing himself as a superstar.
During his rookie season, Wembanyama became just the 10th player in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, joining a prestigious list that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal.
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.
Ten tallest players in NBA history
1. Gheorghe Muresan — 7'7"
2. Manute Bol — 7'6"
= Tacko Fall — 7'6"
= Shawn Bradley — 7'6"
= Yao Ming — 7'6"
6. Sim Bhullar — 7'5"
= Slavko Vranes — 7'5"
= Pavel Podkolzin — 7'5"
= Chuck Nevitt — 7'5"
10. Priest Lauderdale — 7'4"
= Mark Eaton — 7'4"
= Rik Smits — 7'4"
= Ralph Sampson — 7'4"
= Boban Marjanovic — 7'4"
= Zach Edey — 7'4"
= Victor Wembanyama — 7'4"