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In this post, we will check out the top 10 tallest Basketball players of all time.

In the dynamic realm of professional basketball, towering figures have left an indelible mark on the sport’s history, capturing the awe and admiration of fans worldwide.

With each soaring dunk and towering block, these athletes redefine the boundaries of height and athleticism. This list celebrates the larger-than-life individuals who have graced the hardwood, showcasing the top 10 tallest basketball players of all time.

From the early days of the game to the modern era, these giants have etched their names into the annals of basketball lore, forever altering the way the game is played and the heights to which it can be taken.

Join us as we embark on a journey through the lives and careers of these remarkable athletes who have quite literally stood head and shoulders above their competition, earning their rightful places among the sport’s immortals.

Top 10 Tallest Basketball Players of All Time

10 Boban Marjanovic

Standing at 7 feet 3 inches tall, Boban Marjanovic towers over nearly every other player in the NBA. The Serbian center’s great height allows him to be a dominant force around the basket on both ends of the floor.

Despite his massive frame, Marjanovic runs the floor well and has soft hands to catch tough passes in the paint. Marjanovic is currently number 10 when it comes to the tallest basketball players of all time.

While he may not be the tallest ever, Marjanovic uses his size effectively to average over 10 points and 5 rebounds per game over his career. His combination of height and skill has made him a valuable role player capable of impacting games.

Though he does not start, Marjanovic’s abilities and measurements make him one of the most unique players fans will ever see in the NBA. Boban Marjanovic is number 10 in our list of the top 10 tallest NBA players of all time.

9 Sim Bhullar

Sim Bhullar is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers of the Taiwanese P. League+.

He holds a height of 7’5″, and he weighs 360 pounds. Sim played college basketball for New Mexico State University and is the first player of Indian downhill to play in the NBA.

He played all of three games with the Sacramento Kings in 2014-15, averaging 0.7 points in one minute of activity per outing.

8 Pavel Podkolzin

At 7 feet 5 inches tall, Pavel Podkolzin is one of the tallest players to ever play in the NBA. Originally from Russia, Podkolzin was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2004 as the 21st overall pick.

However, his NBA career was very short-lived. Podkolzin played a total of just 6 games for the Mavericks between the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons, averaging 2.5 points per game before being waived by the team.

Despite his brief NBA stint, Podkolzin’s massive height still puts him among the league’s tallest players of all time. While he may not have had a memorable impact on the court, Pavel Podkolzin’s sheer height alone earns him a spot on the list of the tallest to ever play in the NBA.

For any basketball purists obsessed with extreme size records, Podkolzin remains one of the most fascinating human skyscrapers to suit up professionally.

7 Chuck Nevitt

Chuck Nevitt is a former American professional basketball player, known especially for his great height. At 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m), he played the center position during his nine-year career in the NBA.

He remains one of the tallest players in the history of the NBA. During his career, Nevitt played with the teams like Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Fulgor Libertas Forlì, and San Antonio Spurs.

He averaged 1.6 points and 1.5 rebounds per outing. Chuck Nevitt is number 7 in our list of the top 10 tallest NBA players of all time.

6 Tacko Fall

Standing at 7 feet 6 inches tall, Senegalese-American basketball player Tacko Fall is one of the tallest players to ever play in the NBA. The towering center was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2019 after completing a successful college career at the University of Central Florida.

With his incredible 8-foot-2 wingspan and 10-foot-2 standing reach, Fall immediately became one of the most unique physical specimens in the league upon entering the NBA.

While Fall has yet to cement himself as a regular rotational player in the league, his extraordinary height makes him a matchup nightmare whenever he steps on the court.

Throughout NBA history, only a handful of players like Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol have rivaled Fall’s stature. Though still early in his career, Fall’s physical gifts give him a chance to compete with the tallest basketball players of all time.

If the young center can continue developing his game, he has the potential to join the ranks of legendary big men who have used their unparalleled size to excel at the sport’s highest level.

5 Yao Ming

Yao Ming is a Chinese basketball executive and former professional player. He played for the clubs like Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association and the Houston Rockets of the NBA.

Yao was chosen by the Rockets as the first general pick in the 2002 NBA draft. He advanced to the NBA playoffs four times during his career.

He holds several records for being one of the tallest players ever to play in an NBA game and also one of their heaviest players at 7’6″ (2.29 m).

In April 2016, Yao was selected into the Basketball Hall of Fame, alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson.

4 Slavko Vranes

Standing as a towering figure in the world of professional basketball, Slavko Vraneš, hailing from Montenegro, has etched his name into the annals of the sport’s history as one of the tallest players to ever grace the hardwood. With an imposing height of 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 meters), Vraneš commands attention and respect on and off the court.

Vraneš’s basketball journey commenced in the Serbian club FMP Železnik, where his potential was quickly recognized. His talents led him to be signed by the prestigious Turkish club Efes Pilsen for the 2000-01 season, setting the stage for his international career.

In a testament to his dedication, Vraneš returned to his homeland in January 2001, donning the jersey of Budućnost Podgorica until the summer of 2003, leaving an indelible mark on the Montenegrin basketball scene.

Venturing beyond his native borders, Vraneš made a notable appearance in the NBA, representing the Portland Trail Blazers in a single game during the 2003 season. This momentous feat positioned him as a notable figure in the league, solidifying his status as the tallest Serbian player to grace the NBA stage.

Vraneš’s exceptional height and contributions to the sport have rightfully earned him a spot among the top 10 tallest basketball players of all time.

As the towering legacy of Slavko Vraneš continues to resonate throughout the basketball world, his impact serves as a testament to the global nature of the sport and the remarkable heights that athletes can achieve, both metaphorically and literally.

3 Shawn Bradley

Shawn Bradley is a German-American former professional basketball player who played center for the teams like Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets, and the Dallas Mavericks of the (NBA).

He was Nicknamed “the Stormin’ Mormon“,  Bradley is one of the tallest players in the history of the game at 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m).

Shawn was a part of the NBA for almost 12 seasons. He averaged 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds on 52% shooting in his sole season with BYU.

2 Manute Bol

In the annals of the National Basketball Association (NBA), few figures stand taller, quite literally, than Manute Bol. At an astonishing 7 feet 7 inches, Bol was a towering presence on and off the court, leaving an indelible mark on the game.

Born in Sudan, Bol’s extraordinary stature was rooted in his lineage; his mother reached nearly seven feet in height, while his father measured an impressive 6 feet 8 inches. Bol’s family tree seemed to stretch skyward, with a great-grandfather who reportedly stood at a staggering 7 feet 10 inches.

Raised in Sudan, Bol initially pursued soccer as a young boy, a sport that would prove too small a canvas for his towering frame. A growth spurt led him to pivot towards basketball at the age of 15, a decision that would set him on a remarkable path.

Bol’s journey brought him to the United States in 1993, where he showcased his exceptional skills on the hardwood at Bridgeport State University in Connecticut. There, he exhibited a unique blend of athleticism, averaging 22.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, and an astounding 7.1 blocks per game.

In 1985, the Washington Bullets drafted Bol in the second round, propelling him into the NBA limelight. Over the next decade, Bol’s towering presence graced the courts of the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Miami Heat.

Despite his remarkable stature, Bol’s career faced challenges, with injuries and fluctuating form posing obstacles to his full potential. Surprisingly, Bol’s journey never led him to an NBA All-Star game, underscoring the unpredictability and fierce competition of professional basketball.

Manute Bol’s remarkable journey reminds us that the world of basketball is as much about perseverance and dedication as it is about height, leaving an inspiring tale of an athlete who rose above challenges, both on and off the court.

1 Gheorghe Muresan

Gheorghe Muresan is a Romanian former professional basketball player. He is 7 feet 7 inches and he is tied with Manute Bol for the tallest player ever in the history of the game.

In the 1995-1996 season, he acquired the NBA Most Improved Player Award, averaging around 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.26 blocks per game. Gheorghe Muresan tops the list of the top 10 tallest NBA players of all time.