This article was originally published on September 8, 2023, and then updated on May 21, 2024 to reflect the latest WNBA roster data.
As a basketball player, height can be a game-changer. That’s certainly the case with players in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
As WNBA players and fans know, being able to reach above opponents offers clear advantages. It means an easier time rebounding, influencing or blocking shots, and getting shots off.
Yes, some shorter hoopers have defied the odds and shown that height is just one element of the game. Still, you cannot deny the significance of height.
Join us as we break down the heights of players in the WNBA. We originally did this last season and are back again to offer an up-to-date analysis of the most towering figures of the W.
Want the key takeaways? Here you go:
- Brittney Griner, at 6’9″, is the tallest WNBA player in 2024.
- Margo Dydek, who was 7’2″, is the tallest player in WNBA history.
- Only nine of the 142 WNBA players on rosters in 2024 are 6’6″ or taller.
But that’s not all to know about height in the W. Stay with us as we unveil the tallest WNBA players in the league right now in 2024 and take a trip to the annals of WNBA history to recognize the 20 tallest WNBA players of all time.
Who is the Tallest WNBA Player Right Now?
A household name in basketball, Brittney Griner is the tallest this season at 6 feet 9 inches.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and 2014 WNBA Champion is a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and all-time leader in most WNBA dunks. She has been a force since her college days at Baylor and continues to utilize her size to dominate as a critical player for the Phoenix Mercury.
List of the Tallest WNBA Players in 2024
Brittney Griner isn’t the only tall player in the W this year! To identify today’s tallest WNBA players, we looked at the active WNBA roster data on WNBA.com. Here’s who we discovered are the nine tallest WNBA players on the league’s 12 teams this 2024 season.
#1 Brittney Griner – 6’9”
Owning the top spot this season is Brittney Griner, at 6 feet 9 inches. She is the tallest player in the league this year after being the third tallest last year, behind Han Xu (6 feet 11 inches) and Bernadette Hater (6 feet 10 inches), both of whom are not on rosters this season.
#2 Kalani Brown – 6’7”
Tied for second-tallest at 6 feet 7 inches is Kalani Brown, who plays center for the Dallas Wings. The former Baylor standout was drafted in the first round of the 2019 WNBA Draft and has been making strides in her professional career. She first signed to the Wings on a hardship contract, but she played solid in the 2023 season to help the Wings earn a WNBA playoffs berth. So far in 2024, she’s contributed in scoring and rebounds for the Wings.
#3 Teaira McCowan – 6’7”
Teaira McCowan, at 6 feet 7 inches, is a talented center known for her incredible shot-blocking ability and dominance on the boards. She was the third overall selection in the 2019 WNBA Draft, and was a dominant presence for the Indiana Fever for two seasons before joining the Dallas Wings.
#4 Li Yueru – 6’7”
Li Yueru, at 6 feet 7 inches, brings much-needed height to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024. She was drafted in the third round of the 2019 Draft by the Atlanta Dream, but didn’t find her way onto a WNBA roster until 2022 when she signed with the Chicago Sky. She averaged 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and shot 78.6 percent from the field in 2020 as a member of the China National Team.
#5 Kamilla Cardoso – 6’7”
Kamilla Cardoso, standing tall at 6 feet 7 inches, comes to the WNBA from Brazil. She was the third overall selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft after winning two NCAA championships at the University of South Carolina. She’s expected to add much-needed size and depth to the Chicago Sky’s frontcourt, playing alongside Angel Reese.
#6 Mercedes Russell – 6’6”
Since being drafted 22nd overall in 2018 by New York, Mercedes Russell, a 6-foot-6 center, made her way to the Seattle Storm and has significantly contributed to the team’s success. She is a two-time WNBA Champion, and her size and versatility in the post make her a fun player to watch.
#7 Jonquel Jones – 6’6”
Jonquel Jones, at 6 feet 6 inches, is a formidable presence on both ends of the court. Since being drafted number 6 overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft, she’s racked up impressive accolades, including Most Valuable Player (2021), Most Improved Player (2017), and Sixth Woman of the Year (2018) honors. In 2024, she plays her second season with the New York Liberty.
#8 Azurá Stevens – 6’6”
Azurá Stevens, standing at 6 feet 6 inches, won a WNBA Championship with the Chicago Sky in 2021. She was drafted 6th overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft and was named to the 2018 WNBA All-Rookie Team. She now plays for the Los Angeles Sparks and averages over 10 points and five rebounds per game.
#9 Stephanie Soares – 6’6”
While selected as the No. 4 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics, 6 foot 6 inch Stephanie Soares was quickly traded to the Dallas Wings. The center from São Paulo, Brazil missed the 2023 season because of ACL surgery, but is already making her defensive and rebounding presence known in the first games of 2024.
Understanding WNBA Game Length: How Long are WNBA Games?
5 Fascinating Facts to Know About the New WNBA Toronto Franchise
Defy Doubters: 10 Angel Reese Quotes for When Doubt Creeps In
All-Time 20 Tallest WNBA Players
Since its inaugural season in 1997, the league has seen its share of tall players. Here are the all-time tallest WNBA players in league history.
#1 Malgorzata (Margo) Dydek – 7’2”
Played For: Utah Starzz/San Antonio Silver Stars, Connecticut Sun, Los Angeles Sparks
Number of Seasons Played: 12
Malgorzata Dydek, who went by the name of “Margo,” was a true giant of the game. The Polish center played for the Utah Starzz, San Antonio Silver Stars, Connecticut Sun, and Los Angeles Sparks during her 12-year WNBA career. Standing at 7 feet 2 inches, she remains the tallest player in WNBA history. Margo’s impact extended beyond her height; she was a shot-blocking phenom and a beloved figure in the league until her passing in 2011.
#2 Han Xu – 6’11”
Played For: New York Liberty
Number of Seasons Played: 4
Han Xu, standing at an impressive 6 feet 11 inches, hails from Shijiazhuang, China. Her towering presence in the paint and skilled three-point shooting prompted the New York Liberty to pick her up in round 2 of the 2019 WNBA Draft. She spent a few seasons with the Liberty as a role player but decided not to return for 2024.
#3 Bernadett Hatar – 6’10”
Played For: Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun
Number of Seasons Played: 3
Bernadett Hatar, also known as Betti, spent a short time with the Indiana Fever before signing with the Connecticut Sun. Injuries have challenged her WNBA career and she is not on a roster in 2024, but she has the potential to be a reliable future backup in the league.
#4 Brittney Griner – 6’9”
Played For: Phoenix Mercury
Number of Seasons Played: 10 (still active)
Brittney Griner, a dominant force in the WNBA, has been a cornerstone for the Phoenix Mercury since she was the overall 1st pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Her shot-blocking and scoring abilities have allowed her to dominate on both the defensive and offensive ends of the floor.
#5 Liz Cambage – 6’9”
Played For: Tulsa Shock, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks
Number of Seasons Played: 6
Four-time WNBA Sll-Star Liz Cambage, originally from Australia, played for multiple WNBA teams, including the Tulsa Shock, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, and Los Angeles Sparks in her six-season career. She shares the WNBA single-game scoring record with A’ja Wilson after scoring 53 points in a 2018 game against the New York Liberty.
#6 Zheng Haixia – 6’8”
Played For: Los Angeles Sparks
Number of Seasons Played: 2
Zheng Haixia, a former Chinese national team star, played for the Los Angeles Sparks in the league’s first two seasons. She averaged 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, thanks to her height and skills in the post. In 2021, she was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
#7 Maria Stepanova – 6’8”
Played For: Phoenix Mercury
Number of Seasons Played: 7
Maria Stepanova, a Russian basketball professional and Olympian, played her entire WNBA career for the Phoenix Mercury, starting in 1998. Nicknamed the “Russian Rejector,” she was intimidating on the court.
#8 Lindsay Taylor – 6’8”
Played For: Phoenix Mercury, Washington Mystics
Number of Seasons Played: 3
Standing at 6 feet 8 inches, Lindsay Taylor played for the Phoenix Mercury for a couple of seasons before joining the Washington Mystics for part of the 2008 season. She remains the all-time leader in scoring, blocks, and field goal percentage at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
#9 Olga Firsova – 6’8”
Played For: New York Liberty
Number of Seasons Played: 1
Olga Firsova, another Russian presence in the WNBA, played nine games for the New York Liberty after being selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2000 WNBA Draft.
#10 Razija Brcaninovic – 6’8”
Played For: Detroit Shock
Number of Seasons Played: 1
Razija Brcaninovic, from Serbia and standing at 6 feet 8 inches, played 30 games for the Detroit Shock in 1998 after being drafted in the 2nd Round of that year’s WNBA Draft.
#11 Katie Mattera – 6’8”
Played For: San Antonio Silver Stars, Detroit Sock, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky
Number of Seasons Played: 6
At 6 feet 8 inches, Katie Mattera played for multiple teams over her 6-season career. She came into the league after being the number 8 overall pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft and earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors. She was the tallest woman to ever play in the Big South Conference as a center at Liberty University, where she earned the Conference Player of the Year award three times.
#12 Kalani Brown – 6’7”
Played For: Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings
Number of Seasons Played: 4 (still active)
Kalani Brown, whom we’ve already mentioned among the tallest current WNBA players, is also on the all-time tallest list. She came into the league in 2019 after being drafted as the overall 7th pick by the Los Angeles Sparks.
#13 Teaira McCowan – 6’7”
Played For: Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings
Number of Seasons Played: 5 (still active)
Teaira McCowan entered the league in 2019 after an impressive college career at Mississippi State, where she was the inaugural winner of the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team in her first professional season.
#14 Kara Wolters – 6’7”
Played For: Houston Comets, Indiana Fever, Sacramento Monarchs
Number of Seasons Played: 5
Kara Wolters, a former UConn star, entered the WNBA after playing a season in the now-defunct ABL. She was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1999 WNBA Draft by the Houston Comets, with which she won a WNBA Championship. She joined the Indiana Fever in the 2000 Expansion Draft before finishing her career with the Sacramento Monarchs.
#15 Imani McGee-Stafford – 6’7”
Played For: Chicago Sky, Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings
Number of Seasons Played: 5
Imani McGee-Stafford, at 6 feet 7 inches, was drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She helped her team earn a postseason bid that first season and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. She then went on to have stents with the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings.
#16 Jennifer Hamson – 6’7”
Played For: Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever
Number of Seasons Played: 2
Jennifer Hamson, who excelled at basketball and volleyball at Brigham Young University, began her WNBA career with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2015. While drafted in 2014, she waited a year before signing to play volleyball in the U.S. Collegiate National Volleyball Team camp.
#17 Alison Bales – 6’7”
Played For: Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream
Number of Seasons Played: 5
Alison Bales, at 6 feet 7 inches, was drafted with the overall 9th pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. She spent a season and a half with Indiana before being traded to the Atlanta Dream.
#18 Gillian Goring – 6’7”
Played For: Washington Mystics
Number of Seasons Played: 1
Gillian Goring, standing tall at 6 feet 7 inches, played 21 games in a single season for the Washington Mystics after being drafted in the 2007 WNBA Draft.
#19 Zane Tamane – 6’7”
Played For: Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury
Number of Seasons Played: 2
Zane Tamane, originally from Latvia, brought her height and international experience to the WNBA for two seasons, first with the Washington Mystics and then with the Phoenix Mercury. She was drafted as the overall 35th pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft.
#20 Li Yueru – 6’7”
Played For: Chicago Sky
Number of Seasons Played: 1
Li Yueru, hailing from China, is also one of our tallest active players. She was drafted in 2019 by the Atlanta Dream but didn’t play until 2022 after joining the Chicago Sky. She tallied 16 games in the 2022 season for the Sky, averaging 5.1 minutes per game. This 2024 season, she plays for the Los Angeles Sparks.
Other Tallest WNBA Players
Throughout WNBA history, more than 20 WNBA players stood 6’6”, including Sylvia Fowles, Carolyn Moos, Mercedes Russell, Awak Kuier, Jonquel Jones, Azurá Stevens, and Kara Braxton.
More on Height and Basketball
Discover more about WNBA players, including who the shortest WNBA player is, through our comprehensive WNBA guide. Or, learn whether playing basketball makes you taller, or check out the towering athletes over in the men’s pro league with our guide on the tallest NBA players.
