This article was originally published on November 2, 2023, and then updated on April 23, 2024 to reflect the latest NBA roster data.
Key takeaways:
- Boban Marjanović and Victor Wembanyama, both standing at an impressive 7’4”, are the tallest players in the NBA today.
- Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, who dominated the court at 7’7”, are the tallest NBA players ever.
- For the 2023-2024 season, 31 NBA players are at least 7 feet tall.
If you’re curious about the giants of the NBA, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we dive into the world of the tallest NBA players, exploring the league’s active titans and its towering athletes of the past.
Heights in the league change every season as team rosters change and players come and go. But we’ve done the math! So, if you’ve ever wondered, “Who is the tallest NBA player?” – stay tuned as we unveil the current tallest players of the NBA. We’ll also explore the unique advantages and challenges facing taller basketball players.
Who is the Tallest Current NBA Player?
Boban Marjanović and Victor Wembanyama are the tallest NBA players in the 2023-2024 season, each standing at 7’4”.
Boban Marjanović
At 35 years old, Boban Marjanović is a Serbian professional basketball player, currently a center for the Houston Rockets. His veteran journey in the NBA has seen him play for several teams, including the San Antonio Spurs, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks.
With an average of 5.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game over his career, Boban has primarily played a reserve role. But he brings more than a presence on the court. Boban is also known for being a supportive and encouraging presence for his younger teammates.
Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama is a 19-year-old French professional basketball player making waves as a center for the San Antonio Spurs. Selected first overall in the 2023 NBA draft, he is considered one of the most promising prospects of his generation, already drawing comparisons to NBA legends.
Victor’s unique combination of height, skill, and agility allows him to dominate defensively while contributing offensively. He is a rim protector, a threat from beyond the arc, and can effectively guard multiple positions. While one of the youngest NBA players this year, his impact is already being felt, showcasing the potential to be a transformative player in the NBA.
List of Tallest NBA Players in 2023-2024
The NBA has always been home to some of the tallest athletes in the world. Here’s a look at the tallest NBA players gracing the court in the 2023-2024 season:
Table 1: Tallest NBA Players by Height, 2023-2024 Season
| RANK | NAME | TEAM | HEIGHT |
| T-1 | Boban Marjanović | Houston Rockets | 7’4” |
| T-1 | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs | 7’4” |
| 3 | Bol Bol | Phoenix Suns | 7’3” |
| T-4 | Moses Brown | Portland Trail Blazers | 7’2” |
| T-4 | Kristaps Porzingis | Boston Celtics | 7’2” |
| T-6 | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves | 7’1” |
| T-6 | Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder | 7’1” |
| T-6 | Jay Huff | Denver Nuggets | 7’1” |
| T-6 | Luke Kornet | Boston Celtics | 7’1” |
| T-6 | Dereck Lively II | Dallas Mavericks | 7’1” |
T-1. Boban Marjanović (Houston Rockets) – 7’4”
Boban Marjanović, already referenced above, is a seasoned player known for his height and positive impact on team morale. In the 2023-2024 season, he continues to bring his veteran experience to the Rockets, on and off the court.
T-1. Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) – 7’4”
Major hype surrounds Victor Wembanyama, the young No. 1 overall pick with a unique skill set for his height. He is already making waves as a clutch player in his rookie season. While there’s still a long road ahead for the French-Congolese star, he’s quickly proving he’s like no other player.
3. Bol Bol (Phoenix Suns) – 7’3”
Bol Bol was selected in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Miami Heat and now plays for the Phoenix Suns. Bol has unique versatility, having the ball-handling and shooting abilities to play the point and shooting guard positions. He is known for his basketball lineage as the son of the legendary Manute Bol.
T-4. Moses Brown (Portland Trail Blazers) – 7’2”
Moses Brown played one year at UCLA and was voted to the Pac-12 all-freshman team before declaring for the NBA Draft. After going undrafted in 2019, he spent short stints with the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Brooklyn Nets before landing with the Portland Trail Blazers.
T-4. Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics) – 7’2”
Having started playing basketball in Latvia at a very young age, Kristaps Porziņģis has since developed into a well-established player in the league, known for his ability to score both inside and outside. He was selected fourth overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks at age 19.
T-6. Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) – 7’1”
Renowned for his defensive prowess, Rudy Gobert is a dominating center in the league, having won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award three times. The French basketball player was selected as the 27th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets and then immediately traded to the Utah Jazz.
T-6. Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder) – 7’1”
Playing in his second year with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chet Holmgren is a highly touted young player with a promising future in the league. A five-star recruit in high school, Chet earned WCC Defensive Player of the Year and WCC Newcomer of the Year honors in a season at Gonzaga before making himself eligible for the NBA Draft. He was drafted second overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
T-6. Jay Huff (Denver Nuggets) – 7’1”
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jay Huff spent time in the NBA G League. There, he earned Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA G League First Team honors. Most recently, he signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets, showing growth potential. In college, he played for Virginia, where he helped lead his team to a NCAA championship.
T-6. Luke Kornet (Boston Celtics) – 7’1”
Known for his shot-blocking ability and unique skill set for his height, Luke Kornet went undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft before earning a spot that year with the New York Knicks. He also spent time with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks before landing with the Boston Celtics. Before his professional career, he played for Vanderbilt, where he was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team twice.
T-6. Dereck Lively II (Dallas Mavericks) – 7’1”
Dallas Mavericks’ rookie Derek Lively II joined the league as the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Duke. He has already started to make an impact in his first season, shooting well from the floor while still adjusting to the more up-tempo game in the NBA.
T-6. Brook Lopez (Milwaukee Bucks) – 7’1”
Brook Lopez was drafted 10th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft by the Nets, where he spent nine seasons and became the franchise’s all-time scoring leader. The veteran player with a championship ring is now with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Learn more: How many NBA teams are there?
The Tallest NBA Player of All-Time
The title of the tallest NBA player of all time belongs to both Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, who stood at an incredible height of 7’7″.
Gheorghe Mureșan
Gheorghe Mureșan grew up to become one of the most recognizable basketball figures thanks to his size and lasting impact. He was selected as the 30th overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets and played in the league for six seasons, from 1993 to 2000. He was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 1995-96 when he led the league in field goal percentage.
The Romanian-born player used his height to his advantage, dominating in rebounding and shot-blocking. He also had a nice touch around the basket, allowing him to score consistently.
Manute Bol
Known for his incredible shot-blocking ability, Manute Bol played for several teams in the 1980s and 1990s. He was selected in the 1985 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets and played in the league for ten seasons, leaving a legacy as one of basketball’s greatest shot-blockers ever.
Manute was born in Sudan and came to the United States as a young adult to pursue his basketball career. In his first year with the Washington Bullets, he earned All-Defensive 2nd Team honors. He currently ranks second in NBA history in blocked shots per game.
Other Notable Tallest NBA Players
The NBA has seen its fair share of towering athletes who have significantly impacted the game. Here are some other notable tall players from the league’s past:
Shawn Bradley (7’6″): Standing at 7’6″, Bradley was known for his defensive presence on the court, particularly his shot-blocking skills. “The Stormin’ Mormon” played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks over a 12-year NBA career.
Yao Ming (7’6″): Yao Ming made history as the first Chinese player to make a significant impact in the NBA. His height, combined with his skill set, made him one of the most dominant centers of his time. Yao was an 8-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. He currently ranks sixth in Houston Rockets history in total points and total rebounds.
Slavko Vranes (7’6″): Although he had a brief NBA career (10 days!), Vranes is remembered for his height and is one of the tallest players to have ever played in the league.
Tacko Fall (7’6″): Known for his height and wingspan, Tacko Fall became a fan favorite for his infectious personality during his time with the Boston Celtics. His size brought a unique advantage, especially in defending the rim.
Rik Smits (7’4″): Nicknamed “The Dunking Dutchman,” Rik Smits was known for his scoring ability and played his entire career with the Indiana Pacers after being drafted second overall in 1988. He went on to become an All-Star and reach the NBA Finals.
Mark Eaton (7’4″): Eaton was one of the most dominant defensive players of his time, leading the league in blocks per game four times and winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice.
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The Significance of Height in Basketball
Historically, the NBA has seen tall players dominate. Think Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal. They all used their height and size to control the game, leading to championships for their teams and accolades for themselves.
And height isn’t limited to big men. In recent years, the NBA has experienced a shift toward a more positionless style of play. Players of all sizes are now expected to handle the ball, shoot from distance, and cover full court at a faster pace. Today, the back-to-the-basket big man is rare.
Advantages
Taller NBA players often have a natural advantage in rebounding, shot-blocking, and scoring close to the basket. Here is a limited list of benefits a height advantage can offer:
- Rebounding: With an extended reach, taller players have a natural advantage in grabbing rebounds, both offensive and defensive, due to their ability to reach higher than their opponents.
- Scoring: On offense, taller players can shoot over more defenders, making it easier to score and more challenging to block their shots.
- Shot Blocking: Height provides an edge in protecting the rim, as the tallest NBA players can block or alter opponents’ shots more effectively.
- Intimidation: The mere presence of a tall player can influence the way opponents run their offense and their shot selection.
Learn more: What is a rebound in basketball?
Challenges
On the other side of the coin, being exceptionally tall in the NBA also comes with a set of challenges (beyond that it’s hard to find clothes and shoes that fit). These include:
- Mobility: Taller NBA players might face challenges in agility and speed, making it difficult to keep up with smaller, quicker opponents.
- Body Control: Tall players generally have a greater height-to-wingspan ratio, making it more challenging to execute precise movements.
- Injury Risk: The physical demands of the game, combined with a taller player’s center of gravity, can lead to a higher risk of injuries, particularly to the knees and back.
- Adaptation: With the modern game’s shift towards speed and perimeter shooting, even the tallest NBA players must adapt and develop skills outside the traditional big-man role.
- Expectations: There can be immense pressure and expectations placed on tall players to dominate in certain aspects of the game, such as rebounding and shot-blocking.
More on NBA Players
Our ultimate NBA Fan Guide is your home base for up-to-date information on the players that make up the NBA.
FAQs
Who is the current tallest NBA player?
Boban Marjanović and Victor Wembanyama currently hold the title as tallest NBA players, both standing at 7’4″.
Who is the tallest NBA player ever?
Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol share this record, each towering at 7’7″.
How many 7-foot players are in the NBA?
As of the 2023-2024 season, 31 players in the NBA are 7 feet tall or taller.
Does height guarantee success in the NBA?
Height can be an advantage. But, success in the NBA also depends on skill, work ethic, and the ability to adapt to the evolving game.
References and Additional Resources
References:
- NBA.com: Our primary source for the most accurate and up-to-date roster data. This resource was essential in determining the tallest NBA players for the 2023-2024 season and identifying the number of players over 7 feet tall.
Additional Reading and Related Content:
- Average NBA Height: Explore our guide to understand the average height in the NBA, including breakdowns by team and position.
- Shortest NBA Players: Discover the shortest NBA player right now and all-time.
- Tallest WNBA Players: Dive into our detailed article to learn about the tallest players in the WNBA.
- Basketball’s Relationship to Height: Read our informational blog post that answers the common question young players have – Does playing basketball make you taller?
