The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional men’s basketball league that has become one of the most widely watched sports leagues in the world. It is well known for its ability to showcase some of the most talented players in the game, and while these players often come in all shapes and sizes, there are few as fascinating as those who are among the tallest to ever set foot on an NBA court.
Height has long been seen as an advantage in basketball, with taller players able to more easily shoot over shorter defenders or reach higher for rebounds. This has led to some of the greatest players and teams in the history of the sport being able to use their size to their advantage. From Wilt Chamberlain’s dominance in the late 1950s and 60s, to Ralph Sampson’s impact on the Houston Rockets from 1983-1987, height has been a critical part of what makes up a successful team.
In this article, we will take a look at who are considered to be the tallest NBA players ever and discuss how they have impacted the sport. We will explore their playing careers, as well as how their height affected their performances. Finally, we will examine how teams have used tall players to create NBA championship-winning rosters throughout NBA history.
History of Tall Players in Basketball
The advent of taller players in the NBA has had a significant impact on the game. While shorter players have always been able to find success, there is no denying that bigger players can often be more effective when it comes to rebounding and blocking shots. This was especially true during the 1980s when teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics featured towering centers like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Robert Parish, respectively. The two teams combined for eight championships during this decade, with their size advantage over smaller opponents being a major factor in their success.
Bigger players also helped revolutionize team offenses, as teams began to realize that having tall players around the basket could create mismatches and open up shooting opportunities on the perimeter. Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls are an excellent example of this strategy, as they made use of big men such as Bill Cartwright and Luc Longley to set screens for Jordan and create space for him to work his magic. This type of offense was highly effective, as it allowed Jordan to do what he did best while still making use of his teammates’ size advantage.
Gheorghe Muresan, Manute Bol and Tacko Fall are three of the most recognizable names in basketball history due to their extreme heights. At an unbelievable 7’7″ tall, Gheorghe Muresan was the tallest basketball player ever in NBA history until being surpassed by Manute Bol in 1991. He played for the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) from 1993-2000, and while his career averages weren’t particularly impressive, he did have a few standout moments. In the 1995-1996 season, he averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, earning himself an All-Star selection that year.
Manute Bol also stands out as one of the tallest players to ever play in the NBA. At 7’7″, he is tied with Gheorghe Muresan for the record of being the tallest players to ever play in the league. He played for four different teams during his 10-year career and is often remembered for his excellent shot blocking ability as well as his height advantage on defense. Throughout his career he averaged 2.6 blocks per game, which is remarkable considering he was always at a disadvantage when it came to size matchups on offense.
Tacko Fall is another name that many basketball fans may recognize thanks to his immense size and unique style of play. Standing at 7’6″, Fall made waves when he first entered the NBA draft in 2019 due to his height advantage over other prospects. He currently plays for the Boston Celtics and has made quite an impression on fans with his incredible size and athleticism despite not being able to stay on the court for extended periods of time due to foul trouble or injury issues.
The Tallest NBA Players in History
The NBA has seen some of the tallest players in basketball history, with their size advantage often giving them an edge over other players. In this section, we will take a look at five of the tallest players to ever step foot on an NBA court and examine how they used their height to impact the game.
Manute Bol – 7’7″
Manute Bol stands out among other tall players in NBA history due to his defensive prowess. At 7’7″, he was able to use his height to create mismatches on both ends of the court and was especially effective at blocking shots. During his 10-year career, he averaged 2.6 blocks per game which led him to become one of the all-time leaders in blocks. As the tallest NBA player ever, he played for four different teams throughout his career, including the Washington Bullets (now Wizards), Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat.
Gheorghe Muresan – 7’7″
Gheorghe Muresan is widely considered to be the tallest NBA player in history, standing at an incredible 7’7″. He began his career with the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) in 1993 and made an immediate impact due to his size advantage. During his seven-year stint with the team, he averaged 11.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and was selected as an All-Star in 1996. He also holds the record for most blocks by a center in a single season with 243 during the 1995-1996 season.
Tacko Fall – 7’6″
Tacko Fall has quickly become one of the more recognizable names in basketball due to his immense size and unique style of play. Standing at an incredible 7’6″, Fall has been able to make an impression with fans thanks to his athleticism despite not being able to stay on the court for extended periods of time due to foul trouble or injury issues.
He currently plays for the Boston Celtics and could very well become one of the most successful players in their franchise’s long history if he can stay healthy enough to make an impact on a consistent basis.
Slavko Vraneš – 7’6″
Slavko Vraneš is another player that immediately stands out due to his enormous height of 7’6″. He began his professional career with KK Split before joining Cibona Zagreb where he became one of their best players ever despite only playing there for three years. After leaving Cibona, Vraneš joined the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks where he was used primarily as a backup center although injuries limited him from having much more success than just that role.
Shawn Bradley – 7’6″
Finally, Shawn Bradley is another name that pops up when discussing tall players who have had success in the NBA, standing at an impressive 7’6″ tall. Throughout his 12-year career, he averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds per game while playing for four different teams including Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns respectively.
Despite never living up to expectations set by fans due to his height advantage over other players, Bradley still managed to carve out a solid career as a role player who provided some needed size off the bench for various teams throughout his tenure in the league.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is fascinating to consider the impact that tall players have had on the game of basketball throughout history. From Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol who both held the record for tallest player in NBA history, to Tacko Fall and Slavko Vraneš who are still playing today, height has always been an advantage for teams looking to find success in the NBA.
Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls have used big men to create championship-winning rosters while players like Shawn Bradley have carved out solid careers as role players despite never living up to expectations due to their size. The tall players in NBA history have certainly left a lasting impact on the sport and will continue to do so in the years ahead.
