Who’s the Tallest NBA Player Ever?
At 7’7″, Manute Bol is the tallest player in NBA history. He played for several teams during his 10-year career, including the Golden State Warriors and the Washington Bullets.
Introduction
The tallest NBA player ever is Manute Bol, who was born on October 16, 1962, inTuralei, Sudan. He was officially measured at 7’7″ (2.31 m) tall by the NBA in 1987. However, some believe that he may have been even taller than that. Regardless of his exact height, there is no doubt that Manute Bol was one of the tallest people to ever play in the NBA.
Bol began his professional basketball career in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the Connecticut Colony in 1983. He then played for the Washington Bullets from 1985 to 1988 and for the Golden State Warriors from 1988 to 1994. He finished his career with short stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat. In total, he played in 794 NBA games and averaged 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.
While Bol was never much of a scorer or rebounder, he was an excellent shot blocker. In fact, he still holds the record for most blocks per 48 minutes in an NBA season (5.6). He also holds the career record for most blocks per game by a player who is 6’7″ or shorter (2.8).
Bol passed away on June 19, 2010, at the age of 47 due to kidney failure. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Gheorghe Muresan
At 7 feet 7 inches, Romanian-born Gheorghe Muresan is the tallest player ever to have played in the NBA. He is also one of only four players in NBA history to have been born outside the United States.
Muresan began his professional career in Europe, before being drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1993. He played for the Bullets/Wizards for four seasons, before being traded to the New Jersey Nets in 1997. He spent one season with the Nets, before being released and retiring from the NBA.
In retirement, Muresan has appeared in several films, including My Giant (1998) and Space Jam (1996).
Shawn Bradley
Standing 7-6 and weighing in at 260 pounds, Shawn Bradley is the tallest player in NBA history. A native of Castle Dale, Utah, Bradley played college basketball at Brigham Young University before being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the second overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft.
During his 12-year NBA career, Bradley played for the 76ers, New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game during his NBA career.
Bradley’s height made him a unique player and he was often used as a shot blocker due to his ability to alter or block shots. He ranks second all-time in blocks per game (2.5) and 14th all-time in total blocked shots (1,389).
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is the tallest NBA player ever. He played for the Houston Rockets from 2002 to 2011. He was born in China and stands 7 feet 6 inches tall.
Manute Bol
At 7’7”, Manute Bol was one of the tallest players in NBA history, and he used his massive frame to become one of the best shot-blockers of all time. Bol was born in Sudan (then known as the Sudan), and he began playing basketball at a young age. He eventually made his way to the United States, where he played college basketball at the University of Bridgeport. In 1985, Bol was drafted by the Washington Bullets in the second round of the NBA Draft.
Bol only played ten seasons in the NBA, but he made a significant impact during his time on the court. He is one of only three players in NBA history to average at least four blocks per game while also shooting 50% or better from the field. Bol is also one of only two players in NBA history to have more blocked shots than points scored (the other player is Dikembe Mutombo).
Bol retired from the NBA in 1995, and he passed away in 2010 at the age of 47.
Conclusion
At 7’7”, Manute Bol towers over most people. In fact, he’s the tallest player in NBA history. He played for several teams during his 10-year career, including the Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
While Bol was an impressive player, he wasn’t the only tall player in the NBA. Other players who have measure 7’6” or taller include Chuck Nevitt, Gheorghe Muresan, Shawn Bradley, and Yao Ming.
So, who’s the tallest NBA player ever? It’s Manute Bol, at 7’7”.
