The National Basketball Association (NBA) is known for showcasing some of the most talented and skilled athletes in the world. Among them, there are a select few who stand out for their remarkable height, towering over their competition and leaving an indelible mark on the sport. These athletes have used their height to their advantage, providing an imposing presence on the court and dominating the game with their size and athleticism. From Manute Bol to Yao Ming, these athletes have proven that height can be a powerful asset in basketball and have left a lasting legacy in the sport as some of the tallest players of all time. In this article, we will take a look at the top 12 tallest NBA athletes of all time.
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1. Manute Bol (7’7″)
Manute Bol was a former NBA player who stood at 7’7″. He was born in Sudan and played in the NBA from 1985 to 1995, spending time with teams like the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers. Bol was known for his shot-blocking ability and was considered one of the best shot-blockers in NBA history. Throughout his 10-year career, he blocked more than 2,000 shots, averaging more than 3 blocks per game in several seasons. Bol was also known for his humanitarian work, including efforts to improve the living conditions of his home country of Sudan.
2. Gheorghe Muresan (7’7″)
Gheorghe Muresan was another former NBA player who was 7’7″. He was born in Romania and played in the NBA from 1993 to 2000, spending time with the Washington Bullets and New Jersey Nets. Muresan was known for his height and athleticism, as well as his ability to score in the post. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and was awarded the NBA Most Improved Player award in 1996. Muresan’s height also made him a popular figure in the media, and he appeared in several movies and TV shows throughout his career.
3. Shawn Bradley (7’6″)
Shawn Bradley was a former NBA player who stood at 7’6″. He was born in Germany and played in the NBA from 1993 to 2005, spending time with teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks. Bradley was known for his shot-blocking ability and was considered one of the best shot-blockers in the league during his career. Despite his height, Bradley was also an athletic player and was able to run the court with speed and agility. He was also a skilled offensive player and could score from the post or from the perimeter.
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4. Yao Ming (7’6″)
Yao Ming was a former NBA player who stood at 7’6″. He was born in China and played in the NBA from 2002 to 2011, spending his entire career with the Houston Rockets. Yao was a dominant force on the court and was known for his strong presence in the post. He was an eight-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Team five times. Yao’s height and basketball skills made him a fan favorite and helped to grow the popularity of the NBA in China.
5. Chuck Nevitt (7’5″)
Chuck Nevitt was a former NBA player who stood at 7’5″. He was born in North Carolina and played in the NBA from 1982 to 1993, spending time with teams like the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Detroit Pistons. Nevitt was known for his shot-blocking ability and was considered one of the best shot-blockers in the league during his career. Despite his height, Nevitt was also an athletic player and was able to run the court with speed and agility. He was a role player during his career and made contributions to several teams throughout his time in the NBA.
6. Slavko Vranes (7’5″)
Slavko Vranes was another former NBA player who was 7’5″. He was born in Montenegro and played in the NBA from 2003 to 2004, spending time with the Portland Trail Blazers. Vranes was known for his height and athleticism, as well as his shot-blocking ability. He was a skilled defensive player and was able to disrupt shots and control the paint. Vranes went on to play professionally overseas and continues to play professional basketball today.
7. Tacko Fall (7’5″)
Tacko Fall is an NBA player who currently stands at 7’5″. He was born in Senegal and currently plays for the Boston Celtics. Fall is known for his height and his ability to block shots and control the paint. He is also an efficient scorer in the post and has a soft touch around the rim. Fall is a fan favorite and has become a household name in the NBA due to his height and impressive skills on the court.
8. Sim Bhullar(7’5″)
Sim Bhullar was a former NBA player who was 7’5″. He was born in Canada and played in the NBA from 2015 to 2016, spending time with the Sacramento Kings. Bhullar was known for his height and was considered one of the tallest players in the league during his time. He was a role player during his career and made contributions to the Kings by bringing energy and athleticism to the court. Bhullar went on to play professionally overseas and continues to play professional basketball today.
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9. Rik Smits (7’4″)
Rik Smits was a former NBA player who stood at 7’4″. He was born in the Netherlands and played in the NBA from 1988 to 2000, spending his entire career with the Indiana Pacers. Smits was known for his height and his ability to score in the post. He was a skilled offensive player and was able to score with either hand and from either block. Smits was a two-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1998. He was also a fan favorite in Indiana and helped lead the Pacers to several successful seasons during his time with the team.
10. Mark Eaton (7’4″)
Mark Eaton was a former NBA player who stood at 7’4″. He was born in California and played in the NBA from 1982 to 1993, spending his entire career with the Utah Jazz. Eaton was known for his shot-blocking ability and was considered one of the best shot-blockers in the league during his career. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team four times and won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 1985. Eaton was also a skilled offensive player and was able to score effectively in the post. He was a fan favorite in Utah and helped lead the Jazz to several successful seasons during his time with the team.
11. Hasheem Thabeet (7’3″)
Hasheem Thabeet is an NBA player who currently stands at 7’3″. He was born in Tanzania and has played for several teams during his career, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets. Thabeet is known for his height and his ability to block shots and control the paint. He is a dominant defender and has made a name for himself as one of the best shot-blockers in the league. Thabeet continues to play in the NBA and is known for his athleticism and his ability to contribute on both the offensive and defensive end of the court.
12. Boban Marjanovic (7’3″)
Boban Marjanovic is an NBA player who stands at 7’3″. He was born in Serbia and has played for several teams during his career, including the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, and Los Angeles Clippers. Marjanovic is known for his height and his ability to score in the post. He has a soft touch around the rim and is able to score efficiently with either hand. Marjanovic is also a fan favorite due to his size and his playful personality. He continues to play in the NBA and is known for his dominant play in the paint.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the tallest NBA athletes have left a lasting impact on the sport of basketball. From Manute Bol to Yao Ming, these players have dominated the court with their height and athleticism, providing an imposing presence and inspiring future generations of tall athletes. Their achievements and dominance on the court have earned them a place in the annals of basketball history and they will always be remembered as some of the tallest players of all time. Their height and unique skills have made them fan favorites and they have left an indelible mark on the sport, proving that height can be a powerful asset in basketball. These athletes have pushed the limits of what is possible for tall individuals in athletic competitions and have shown that size and height are no limitations in the world of sports.