The tallest NBA player ever is a tie between Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, both listed at 7'7". Shawn Bradley, Yao Ming and Tacko Fall come next at 7'6", and four more players are listed at 7'5". The table below has all nine.
Tallest NBA Players by Listed Height
| Player | Listed height | NBA years | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gheorghe Muresan | 7'7" | 1993 to 2000 | 307 |
| Manute Bol | 7'7" | 1985 to 1995 | 624 |
| Shawn Bradley | 7'6" | 1993 to 2005 | 832 |
| Yao Ming | 7'6" | 2002 to 2011 | 486 |
| Tacko Fall | 7'6" | 2019 to 2022 | 37 |
| Chuck Nevitt | 7'5" | 1982 to 1994 | 155 |
| Pavel Podkolzin | 7'5" | 2004 to 2006 | 6 |
| Sim Bhullar | 7'5" | 2015 | 3 |
| Slavko Vranes | 7'5" | 2004 | 1 |
Sources: Basketball-Reference player pages for Muresan, Bol, Bradley, Yao, Fall and Nevitt, and this list of the tallest players in NBA history for the rest of the 7'5" group.
Names Worth Knowing
- Yao Ming, at 7'6", is the tallest player in the Hall of Fame.
- Gheorghe Muresan won the Most Improved Player award in 1996.
- Manute Bol played the 1987-88 season in Washington with Muggsy Bogues, the shortest NBA player ever. They stood 28 inches apart.
- Slavko Vranes played one NBA game. Sim Bhullar played three.
- Yasutaka Okayama, at 7'8", is the tallest player ever drafted. The Warriors took him in 1981, but he never played in the NBA.
As of the 2026-27 season, 31 players have been listed at 7'3" or taller.
Using This List With a Tall Young Player
This is a reference list, not a plan for a tall kid. Start with big man workouts, post moves and defensive footwork. The positions hub covers how positions work at each age, and positions for short and tall players covers fit.
The league norm is on average NBA player height. The oldest NBA players and the highest vertical jumps in the NBA round out the set. Court and ball sizes are on court dimensions and basketball sizes.
Questions Coaches Ask About Tall NBA Players
Who is the tallest NBA player ever?
Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, both listed at 7'7". NBA sources have also listed Bol at 7'6".
Who is the tallest player in the Hall of Fame?
Yao Ming, listed at 7'6".
Who is the tallest player ever drafted?
Yasutaka Okayama, listed at 7'8". The Warriors drafted him in 1981, but he never played in the NBA.
Should every tall kid play center?
No. Rotate young players through every spot so they learn to handle, pass and shoot. The positions hub breaks this down by age.
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