Keith Allison from Owings Mills, USA on Wikimedia
Well, we all know that basketball players are supposed to be tall—and plenty of them tower over the average dude. Watching an NBA game can feel like you’re observing a different species of athlete, but every so often, a player shows up who makes everyone else look like they forgot to drink their milk. As it turns out, you didn’t know height (or ball) until you saw these guys!
Gheorghe Mureșan (7'7")
Mureșan is commonly listed as the tallest player to ever appear in an NBA game, and it’s not hard to see why. Standing at a whopping 7 feet 7 inches, even the jump ball looks like it’s happening closer to the ceiling. He played in the 1990s, and his size alone made the paint feel crowded in a hurry, especially when he established position near the rim.
Manute Bol (7'7")
University of Bridgeport - Uncredited photographer on Wikimedia
Bol shares the 7'7" billing, and he paired that height with a defensive presence that could turn routine shots into second thoughts. His long reach helped him make attempts that other players couldn’t even dream of.
Shawn Bradley (7'6")
Bradley comes in at 7'6", but don’t let one number throw you off. His career became a reminder that being extremely tall is both a gift and a spotlight. He was a superstar, and when he stood straight, it looked less like posture and more like a public service announcement.
Tacko Fall (7'6")
Fall is another 7'6" entry, and just seeing him check in could shift the whole vibe of a game. He brought instant rim proximity on both ends, and if you’ve ever wanted to watch layups suddenly require courage, his minutes delivered exactly that.
Yao Ming (7'6")
If you’ve heard about any giant, you’ve heard this name! Yao also measured 7'6", but what made him stand out wasn’t only height—it was how skilled and impactful he was. Don’t believe us? He actually became the tallest player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame!
