The 10 Tallest NBA Players Ever: Mark Eaton, Shawn Bradley, and More

NBA Players who reach at least 7 feet in height enjoy superior dunking capability. Their extended height creates an effective blocking surface that 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″ frames, respectively. However, we have listed 10 players with the tallest limbs ever.

Ranking 10 Tallest NBA Players Ever

The traditional big man playstyle or gimmick is a dying art in the modern NBA due to the notion and advancement of the “positionless basketball” notion that encourages every player to be able to play at any position to the 1 through the 5.

The basketball community is mostly receiving this change into the game's new phase in a positive manner with few critics especially the older generations of fans that grew up watching the silky smooth moves of players like Hakeem. Below are the 10 tallest NBA players ever and how their height proves to be beneficial for their game and helps them attain various achievements that transform their careers.

#10: Mark Eaton (7’4″)

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 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.

#9: 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.

#8: Slavko Vranes (7’5″)

According to the 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 a 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.

#7: Chuck Nevitt (7’5″)

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

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.

#6: 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. Having immense potential in the paint with his length and stature he was scouted to be a one to watch prospect but like many in this height category, his career was filled with injuries.

#5: Tacko Fall (7’6″)

At number 5 we have added Tacko Fall to the list of tallest NBA player ever. The icon is also know 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 in 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. Tacko's notable achievements include being a CBA blocks leader and a 2x NBA G League All-Defensive Team selection.

#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 from 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 in 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. His achievements include being an 8-time All-Star, a 2003 NBA All-Rookie First Team selection, and a key figure for the Houston Rockets, leading them to multiple playoff appearances, and he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

#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.

#2: Manute Bol (7’6)

The Sudanese-American professional basketball player Manute Bol was 7 feet 7 inches tall. He ranks second on the tallest NBA players of all time​. It was his height that 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 throughout life by dedicating his athletic success to humanitarian efforts that included both human rights activism and refugee aid support for the Sudanese people.

#1: Gheorghe Muresan (7’7″)

7 feet 7 inches tall Gheorghe Mureșan completed his professional basketball career after playing 6 seasons. He is the tallest NBA player of all time​. During his NBA career from 1993 to 2000, from 1993 to 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 the position of the tallest NBA player ever recorded.