Undoubtedly, basketball is a sport of big men. Hoopers with tall frames take the court and display an athletic extravaganza. Even among these tall players, a few giants stand out further. One of the most recent and tallest sensations is Victor Wembanyama. The French rookie entered last season and won the ROTY award after a showcase of individual domination. Moreover, Wemby’s performance was a gentle reminder that he was there for the long run. Given the rising star’s tall frame and undeniable talent, a lingering question follows: Is Wemby the tallest to play in the NBA?
Well, the answer is a NO.
The NBA has witnessed a few giants before the advent of Victor Wembanyama. 7 feet isn’t a surprise anymore. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain are some of the notable names, who have made it big in the league with their lofty frames. As of 2024, the league has encountered 29 players above 7 feet.
There was always confusion while determining the tallest player to ever play in the NBA because of a few centimeters. It was between Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol. Several sources have credited the Sudanese big man, Bol, as the tallest player. However, Guinness World Records declared Muresan as the tallest and also revealed that Bol was shy of a few centimeters to get the honor.
Who is the tallest NBA player?
Romanian baller Gheorghe Muresan has been the tallest NBA player with a 7 ‘7 frame. The Washington Bullets selected him with their 30th pick in the 1993 Draft and he played for 6 seasons. The big man put up a show in his debut season, averaging 5.6 points and under 4 rebounds. Importantly, he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 1995-96, after he averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds!
However, following that, the big man’s numbers dropped considerably and eventually pushed him to retirement due to chronic injuries. Nevertheless, he rose to popularity in 1998 after the release of the film “My Giant”, starring alongside actor Billy Crystal.
On the other hand, Manute Bol had a long and impressive run. Again it was the Bullets, who had drafted him with the 31st pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. The Sudanese player extended for 10 years. In his rookie season, Bol led the league with the No. of blocks, averaging 5, which is still the record for any rookie. Notably, the legend’s son, Bol Bol, who is 7 ‘3 tall, currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
If Victor Wembanyama isn’t the tallest player, where does he rank?
Technically, Victor Wembanyama is the 4th-tallest player in the NBA. However, the 20-year-old comes 10th on the list, as four other players also have a 7 ‘4 frame. Before listing out those players, let’s take a look at the players who have secured the 2nd and 3rd spots.
Shawn Bradley and Yao Ming (7 foot 6)
Shawn Bradley came into the league in the same year as Gheorghe Muresan, but he was a much more decorated prospect. The Philadelphia 76ers selected Bradley with the second pick. Rightfully so, he went on to play in the league for 12 seasons, averaging just above 8 points and 6 rebounds. Importantly, the big man brought his best out while playing for the Mavs, where he played 9 seasons.
Yao Ming is probably the most effective among the bigs. He came into the league as the Houston Rockets #1 pick in 2002 after a 5-year-long professional stint in China. Ming played 8 seasons for the Rockets and ended the career, averaging 19 points and 9.2 rebounds. He went on to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
Chuck Nevitt (7 foot 5)
Nevitt is the only player in the league with a 7 ‘5 frame. The Rockets selected him with the 63rd pick in the 1982 draft. He played 9 seasons in the league, averaging a smidgen above 5 minutes per game. He is the tallest player to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
This season, the gang has a new member. The Memphis Grizzlies selected Zach Edey with the 9th overall pick. And he would join Wembanyama as his 7 ‘4 partner on the list. The French man is freshly off his silver medal experience in the Paris Olympics. Despite achieving a massive international feat at the age of 20, the youngster felt devastated after the Finals loss against Team USA.
Now, Wemby will gear up for his sophomore year. Despite his insane stat line, averaging 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds, the Spurs finished in the 14th seed. However, in the upcoming season, the big man will have an experienced player with him. It’s none other than the point god, Chris Paul.
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