'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Yao Ming's height makes him one of the tallest players in NBA history. Believe it or not, however, Yao isn't the tallest player in the history of the NBA.
Throughout the late 90s, whispers of Yao Ming continued to make their way over to the United States. Talk of the seven-foot-six center quickly spread around the world. It was really during the 1999-2000 CBA season that talk of Yao began to grow more serious. As the CBA block and dunk leader that season, Yao's skill was quickly being noticed. He then earned the FIBA Asia Cup MVP the following year, before declaring for the NBA draft.
With the first pick in the 2002 draft, the Houston Rockets selected Yao Ming, the seven-foot-six center from Shanghai, China. Thus began the nearly decade-long 'Yao Dynasty' in the NBA. As an eight-time NBA All-Star, his place in the NBA history books was cemented when he was enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Yao Ming's height entering the NBA
Surprisingly, Yao Ming's height only ties him as the second-tallest player in NBA history. When he joined the league, the seven-foot-six Yao quickly made an impression as he averaged nearly two blocks per game. His abilities on the defensive end combined with averaging nearly a double-double landed him on the NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.
With that said, there were several players that entered the league prior to Yao who were either taller or the same height as the Shanghai superstar.
Ranking Yao Ming’s height amongst the tallest NBA players
Although there are several men tied with Yao at seven-foot-six, there are only two men in the history of the NBA to ever stand at seven-foot-seven. In addition to Yao, here are the top 5 tallest players in NBA history.
5 - Shawn Bradley (7'6)
Tied with Yao at seven-foot-six, Shawn Bradley played in the NBA for longer than most men his size. After being drafted as the second overall pick int he 1993 draft, Bradley bounced from the Philadelphia 76ers to the New Jersey Nets before spending the majority of his career with the Dallas Mavericks.
We would be remiss if we didn't mention that Bradley, who appeared in Space Jam, was involved in a tragic accident while cycling last year. The tragic accident left the beloved NBA veteran paralyzed, however, he has remained in good spirits and focused on rehabilitation.
4 - Slavko Vranes (7'6)
Tied with Yao at seven-foot-six is Slavko Vranes, who had an incredibly forgettable stint with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2004 season. Although he was selected as the 39th overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, he played in just one NBA game.
It was a lackluster performance when he checked into the team's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and recorded zero points, rebounds, and assists. Regardless, by checking into a game he cemented his place as one of the tallest players in NBA history.
3 - Tacko Fall (7'6)
Tacko Fall, who is beloved by NBA fans, and currently tearing it up overseas in China, is tied with Yao on the list of tallest players in NBA history. The Senegal native stands at seven-foot-six and had a very underwhelming, but heartwarming, stint in the NBA from 2019-2022.
Although he never played in more than 20 games in a season, Fall spent time with the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers. While he was unable to make a huge impact with either team, he gained a huge following of fans that continue to support him overseas.
2 - Manute Bol (7'7)
Tied for the tallest man in the history of the league at seven-foot-seven, Manute Bol is without a doubt one of the greatest shot blockers in NBA history. After being drafted with the 31st overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft, Bol bounced around teams for the next ten years.
In addition to being tied as the tallest man in NBA history, Bol has the longest reach of any player in league history at eight-foot-six.
1 - Gheorghe Muresan (7'7)
Tied for the tallest man in the history of the league at seven-foot-seven, Gheorge Muresan. Prior to the 1993 NBA draft, Muresan won the Romanian League championship and the French League championship. The feat propelled him to the NBA draft, where h was selected as the 30th overall pick.
During his first four seasons in the league, Muresan was able to stay healthy and make an impact for the Washington Bullets. In the 1995-96 season, Muresan was awarded the NBA's Most Improved Player award. To date, he remains tied for the tallest player in the history of the league.
Although it may be some time before we see another player match Yao Ming's height, his presence is still felt throughout the league. Yao's name and jersey hang in the rafters of the Toyota Center where he spent nearly ten years with the Houston Rockets.
Below is a video of NBA legends talking about the dominance of Yao Ming. Check it out.
