In professional basketball, height can be a game-changer. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is no exception.
As WNBA players and fans know, towering above opponents can offer distinct advantages on the court. Many shorter athletes have defied the odds and shown that height is just one element of the game. Still, you cannot deny the significance of height.
In this article, we’ll take you to the heights of the WNBA, exploring the most towering figures who left indelible marks on their team and the league. We’ll unveil the 16 tallest WNBA players in the league right now and dive into the annals of WNBA history to celebrate the 20 tallest players of all time.
List of the Tallest WNBA Players Right Now
We looked at the active WNBA rosters to identify today’s tallest WNBA players. Here are the tallest WNBA players currently making their presence felt on the hardwood in the 2023 season.
#1 Han Xu – 6’11”
Han Xu, standing at an impressive 6 feet 11 inches, hails from Shijiazhuang, China. Her towering presence in the paint prompted the New York Liberty to pick her up in round 2 of the 2019 WNBA Draft. She is still with the Liberty as a role player and was the team leader in field goal percentage (49.3%) and three-point percentage (44.2%) in 2022.
#2 Bernadett Hatar – 6’10”
Hungarian sensation Bernadett Hatar brings her 6 feet 10 inches of height to the Connecticut Sun. She came into the league with the Indiana Fever in 2021, but an injury ended her season after just seven games. She’s also played in the EuroLeague Women and the Hungarian national team.
#3 Brittney Griner – 6’9”
A household name in women’s basketball, Brittney Griner stands tall 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. She has been a force since her college days at Baylor and continues to dominate as a critical player for the Phoenix Mercury.
#4 Kalani Brown – 6’7”
Standing 6 feet 7 inches, Kalani Brown plays center for the Dallas Wings. The former Baylor standout has been making strides in her professional career, and after being signed to the Wings on a hardship contract, has played solid in the 2023 season to help the Wings earn a WNBA playoffs berth.
#5 Teaira McCowan – 6’7”
Teaira McCowan, at 6 feet 7 inches, is a talented center known for her incredible shot-blocking ability and rebounding prowess. She was the third overall selection in the 2019 WNBA Draft, has been a dominant presence for the Indiana Fever, and is a rising star in the league.
Learn more: What is a rebound in basketball?
#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 Awak Kuier – 6’6”
Awak Kuier, standing tall at 6 feet 6 inches, comes to the WNBA from Finland. She was the second overall selection in the 2021 WNBA Draft and has added depth to the Dallas Wings’ frontcourt. She is also the 8th woman to record a WNBA dunk in a game.
#8 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.
#9 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.
#10 Aliyah Boston – 6’5”
Aliyah Boston, a rising star at 6 feet 5 inches, is a versatile forward already dominating in her young WNBA career. Drafted with the number 1 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, she’s now averaging over 14 points and eight rebounds in her rookie season and was named a starter for her first WNBA All-Star Game. She was among the top 10 for most double-doubles in her rookie season.
Learn more: What is a double double in basketball?
#11 Dorka Juhász – 6’5”
Dorka Juhász, at 6 feet 5 inches, hails from Hungary and has been a solid addition to the Minnesota Lynx since being drafted 16th in 2023. Her veteran demeanor and skillset have allowed her to get quickly adjusted to WNBA play.
#12 Shakira Austin – 6’5”
Shakira Austin, a 6-foot-5 forward, averages roughly 10 points and seven rebounds for the Washington Mystics. She was selected by the Mystics with the third overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft and earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors in her first season.
#13 Elena Delle Donne – 6’5”
Two-time WNBA MVP and six-time All-Star Elena Delle Donne stands at 6 feet 5 inches and is one of the best players in the league’s history. Today, she’s a cornerstone for the Washington Mystics, contributing to their championship success.
#14 Olivia Nelson-Ododa – 6’5”
Olivia Nelson-Ododa, a 6-foot-5 center, is making her presence known with the New York Liberty. Her shot-blocking and rebounding prowess are assets to the team.
#15 Stefanie Dolson – 6’5”
Stefanie Dolson, at 6 feet 5 inches, started her WNBA career in 2022 with the Los Angeles Sparks. She’s now with the Connecticut Sun, averaging over 4 points and three rebounds per game.
#16 Nyara Sabally – 6’5”
Nyara Sabally, standing at 6 feet 5 inches, became a part of the talented New York Liberty when she was selected fifth overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Learn more: Who is the youngest WNBA player?
All-Time 20 Tallest WNBA Players
We can’t forget the previous trailblazers who made WNBA history with their towering presence. Here are the all-time tallest WNBA players since league play started in 1997.
#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: 2 (still active)
We’ve already mentioned Han Xu in our list of current players, but she also finds her place among the all-time tallest. Han Xu has incredible potential to be a great scorer, utilizing her size in the paint and as a skilled three-point shooter.
#3 Bernadett Hatar – 6’10”
Played For: Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun
Number of Seasons Played: 1 (still active)
Also already mentioned as one of the league’s current tallest players, 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, but she has the potential to be a reliable backup in the league.
#4 Brittney Griner – 6’9”
Played For: Phoenix Mercury (still active)
Number of Seasons Played: 9
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: 3
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: 4
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, 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.
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, and Kara Braxton.
FAQ About Tallest WNBA Players
Who is the tallest player ever in the WNBA?
The tallest player in the history of the WNBA is Margo Dydek, who stood at 7 feet 2 inches. She played center for several WNBA teams over a dominating 12-year career and is the all-time leader in blocks (877).
What is the average height of a WNBA player?
The average height of a WNBA player is 6 feet 0.7 inches. This is based on 2023 active roster data provided by the WNBA.
Who is the current tallest player in the WNBA?
The tallest player in the WNBA right now is Han Xu, who currently plays for the New York Liberty. She is also the second-tallest player in WNBA history.
More on Height and Basketball
Discover more about WNBA players, including the average height of WNBA players and who the shortest WNBA player is, through our comprehensive WNBA guide. Or, check out the towering athletes over in the the men’s pro league with our guide on the tallest NBA players.
