We analyse the tallest NBA players in the history of the league
The tallest NBA players have a significant advantage in the game with a towering presence over the rest. We take a look at the Top 10 to ever represent a franchise in the NBA since its inception in 1949.
Despite various factors determining the ability of a player, the height difference always comes into play with regards to the ‘showbiz’ slam-dunking. Let’s evaluate the Top 10 tallest players in the league:
Top 10 tallest NBA players ever
1. Gheorghe Muresan height – 234 cm (7 ft 7 in)
The man from Romania, was a towering presence at an incredible height for the game. With a height of 10ft for the basketball ring, it seemed like a cakewalk for Muresan in his time in NBA. He was drafted in 1993 by Washington Bullets.
He played for seven years in the NBA, before moving elsewhere. Muresan announced his retirement in 2006.
2. Manute Bol height – 231 cm (7 ft 6.75 in)
The basketballer was born in Sudan, was narrowly close to being the tallest player ever. He entered the league in 1985 with Washington Bullets, despite being drafted two years ago. 1983. He used his height to the maximum advantage, and had most blocks in 1988-89.
3. Shawn Bradley height – 228 cm (7 ft 6 in)
Bradley was born and brought up in Germany, but eventually moved to the States and became a citizen. He appeared in 832 games scoring 6753 points. His career ranged from 1993 to 2005 playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks and New Jersey Nets.
4. Yao Ming height – 228 cm (7 ft 6 in)
Ming was one of the most famous players outside of the United States. The Chinese player was part of the Houston Rockets. He spent close to a decade eventually leaving in 2011. He retired at the age of 30, and was enshrined into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2016.
5. Chuck Nevitt height – 226 cm (7 ft 5 in)
He played from 1982 to 1994 passing through the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. He also won the NBA title in 1985 with the Lakers.
He is the tallest player ever to win an NBA Championship. He is always regarded for his gameplay as a centre, despite struggling for game time.
6. Pavel Podkolzin height – 226 cm (7 ft 5 in)
Making a lowly 6 appearances, he played for the Jazz and Mavericks. Many experts thought that his height would make him a presence, but he did not fulfill his expectations.
7. Tacko Fall height – 226 cm(7 ft 5 in)
Tacko Fall is one of the current players in the NBA with the Boston Celtics. His popularity has risen considerably after his college basketball games and is a fan-favourite.
There is hope from Celtics fans that he will be played more in the coming season.
8. Mark Eaton height – 223 cm (7 ft 4 in)
He was part of one of the dominant Utah Jazz teams in history. Eaton’s career lasted from 1982 to 1993. He was a part of 875 games accumulating 5216 points over his career.
He holds the record for most blocks in a single NBA season with 456, set in 1984-85.
9. Ralph Samson height – 223 cm (7 ft 4 in)
Samson was a Rookie of the Year in his first season with Houston Rockets. In 82 games, he averaged 21 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, and two assists. Sampson spent four and a half seasons in Houston and was traded to the Golden State Warriors during the 1987-88 season.
Sampson suffered numerous injuries and saw a dip in his majestic form. He also played for the Sacramento Kings and the Washington Bullets.
10. Slavko Vranes height – 223 cm (7 ft 4 in)
Vraneš was selected by the Knicks in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft. He was waived by the Knicks in December 2003.
In early January 2004, he signed a ten-day contract with Portland TrailBlazers, playing a single game for them. While he didn’t achieve much in his NBA career, he still makes the list for the top 10 tallest players in the history of the league.
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