It is worth noting that these are just a few examples of tall athletes, and there have been many other athletes who have stood tall throughout history. In addition, height is just one aspect of an athlete’s abilities, and it does not necessarily determine success in sports.
Top 10 Tallest Athletes of All Time
1. Gheorghe Muresan – 7’7″ – Romanian basketball player
Gheorghe Muresan is a Romanian former professional basketball player who is known for being one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7’7″ (231 cm). He played for the Washington Bullets (now the Washington Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA.
Muresan was born in Tritenii de Jos, Romania in 1971. He began his professional career in Europe, playing for teams in Romania and France. In 1993, he was signed by the Washington Bullets as a free agent. He played for the Bullets for five seasons, earning NBA Most Improved Player honors in 1995 and being named to the NBA All-Star team in 1996.
After his time with the Bullets, Muresan played for the New Jersey Nets for one season before retiring from professional basketball in 2000 due to health issues.
After his playing career, Muresan became involved in acting and appeared in several films, including “My Giant” and “Blast from the Past.” He has also been involved in various business ventures and works as a television analyst in Romania.
2. Manute Bol – 7’7″ – Sudanese basketball player
Manute Bol was a Sudanese professional basketball player who is known for being one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7’7″ (231 cm). He played for several teams in the NBA, including the Washington Bullets (now the Washington Wizards), the Golden State Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Miami Heat.
Bol was born in Turalei, Sudan in 1962. He began his professional career in the Sudanese Basketball League before being signed by the Washington Bullets in 1985. He played for the Bullets for five seasons, earning NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 1988 and 1989.
After his time with the Bullets, Bol played for several other teams in the NBA, including the Golden State Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Miami Heat. He retired from professional basketball in 1995.
In addition to his basketball career, Bol was also known for his humanitarian work. He was actively involved in efforts to bring peace to Sudan and worked to raise awareness about the ongoing conflict in the country. Bol passed away in 2010 at the age of 47.
3. Shawn Bradley – 7’6″ – American basketball player
Shawn Bradley is an American former professional basketball player who is known for being one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7’6″ (229 cm). He played for several teams in the NBA, including the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets, and the Dallas Mavericks.
Bradley was born in Landstuhl, West Germany in 1972. He grew up in Castle Dale, Utah and attended Brigham Young University, where he played college basketball. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 1993 NBA Draft.
Bradley played for the 76ers for three seasons before being traded to the New Jersey Nets in 1996. He played for the Nets for three seasons before signing with the Dallas Mavericks in 2000. He played for the Mavericks for eight seasons, retiring from professional basketball in 2005.
After his playing career, Bradley has been involved in various business ventures, including owning a chain of car washes and working as a motivational speaker. He has also been involved in charitable work, including raising money for children’s hospitals.
4. Yao Ming – 7’6″ – Chinese basketball player
Yao Ming is a Chinese former professional basketball player who is known for being one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7’6″ (229 cm). He played for the Houston Rockets in the NBA, where he was a eight-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-NBA Team member.
Ming was born in Shanghai, China in 1980. He began playing basketball at a young age and was selected by the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) in 1997. He played for the Sharks for five seasons before being selected by the Houston Rockets with the first overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Ming played for the Rockets for nine seasons, becoming one of the most popular and successful players in the NBA. He was a key member of the Rockets team that reached the NBA Finals in 2009. He retired from professional basketball in 2011 due to injuries.
After his playing career, Ming has been involved in various business ventures and charitable work. He is also the owner of the Shanghai Sharks and is actively involved in the management of the team. In addition, he has served as an ambassador for the NBA in China.
5. Slavko Vranes – 7’5″ – Montenegrin basketball player
Slavko Vranes is a Montenegrin former professional basketball player who is known for being one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7’5″ (227 cm). He played for the Portland Trail Blazers and the New York Knicks in the NBA.
Vranes was born in Titograd, Yugoslavia (now Podgorica, Montenegro) in 1982. He began his professional career in Europe, playing for teams in Yugoslavia and Italy. In 2003, he was signed by the Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent. He played for the Trail Blazers for one season before being traded to the New York Knicks in 2004. He played for the Knicks for one season before being released in 2005.
After his time in the NBA, Vranes played for several teams in Europe and Asia. He retired from professional basketball in 2014.
In addition to his basketball career, Vranes has been involved in various business ventures and has worked as a television analyst for basketball games in Montenegro.
6. Mark Eaton – 7’4″ – American basketball player
Mark Eaton is an American former professional basketball player who is known for being one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7’4″ (224 cm). He played for the Utah Jazz in the NBA, where he was a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member.
Eaton was born in Inglewood, California in 1957. He began playing basketball at a young age but did not receive much attention from college recruiters due to his height. He worked as a mechanic and a postal carrier before being signed by the Utah Jazz as a free agent in 1982.
Eaton played for the Jazz for 11 seasons, becoming one of the team’s most popular players and one of the best defensive players in the NBA. He retired from professional basketball in 1993.
After his playing career, Eaton has been involved in various business ventures, including owning a restaurant and working as a motivational speaker. He has also been involved in charitable work, including raising money for children’s hospitals.
7. Ha Seung-jin – 7’3″ – South Korean basketball player
Ha Seung-jin is a South Korean professional basketball player who is known for being one of the tallest players in the world at 7’3″ (221 cm). He has played for several teams in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) and the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
Ha was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1985. He began his professional career in the KBL, playing for the Incheon Electroland Elephants. In 2007, he was signed by the Portland Trail Blazers as a free agent. He played for the Trail Blazers for one season before returning to the KBL.
In 2011, Ha signed with the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) team the Guangdong Southern Tigers. He played for the Tigers for three seasons before returning to the KBL in 2014. He has since played for several other KBL teams, including the Ulsan Mobis Phoebus and the Wonju Dongbu Promy.
In addition to his professional career, Ha has also represented South Korea in international competitions, including the FIBA Asia Championship and the Asian Games.
8. Pavel Podkolzin – 7’3″ – Russian basketball player
Pavel Podkolzin is a Russian professional basketball player who is known for being one of the tallest players in the world at 7’3″ (221 cm). He has played for several teams in the Russian Professional Basketball League (VTB United League) and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Podkolzin was born in Moscow, Russia in 1984. He began his professional career in Russia, playing for teams in the Russian Professional Basketball League (VTB United League). In 2004, he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 21st overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Podkolzin played for the Mavericks for one season before being traded to the Utah Jazz in 2005. He played for the Jazz for one season before returning to Russia to play for the CSKA Moscow team in the VTB United League. He has since played for several other teams in Russia and has also represented the Russian national team in international competitions.