Imagine standing underneath the rim of a basketball hoop in a major stadium in the United States, peering up at a 7-foot-7 player who dwarfs the basket. In the NBA, height has always been a game changer, with every inch separating a blocked shot from a slam dunk. In 2025, the league remains dominated by tall athletes who define what it means to play “above the rim.”
Understanding the importance of height in basketball is similar to understanding why skyscrapers need solid foundations—it’s critical. Taller athletes often have a strategic edge in areas such as shot blocking and rebounding. But who are the tallest NBA players in 2025? This list not only shows their metrics, but also investigates how they affect the game play. Let’s explore the realm of giants, where height meets bustle.
Top 10 Tallest Basketball Players in NBA (2025)
This season, the following players are turning heads (and necks!) at huge arenas around the United States:
1. Victor Wembanyama (7’4″)
- Team: San Antonio Spurs.
- Role: Centre/Power Forward.
- Why He Stands Out: Wembanyama’s 8-foot wingspan and quickness make him a formidable defensive player. In 2024, he averaged 3.8 blocks per game, according to NBA Stats.
- Fun fact: He is the only player since LeBron James to join the NBA with such high expectations.
2. Boban Marjanović (7′ 3″)
- Team: Houston Rockets.
- Position: Center
- Legacy: Boban, one of the tallest active players, with a career field goal percentage of 63.2%, proving that efficiency is not limited to lesser athletes.
3. Kristaps Porziņģis (7’3″)
- Team: Boston Celtics.
- Role: center/forward.
- Why He Stands Out: Porziņģis is a “unicorn” in the NBA due to his combination of height and outstanding three-point shooting (36% lifetime). In 2024, he averaged 20.1 points and 1.8 blocks per game, demonstrating his continued versatility.
- Fun Fact: Only three 7-footers have hit more than 150 three-pointers in a season.
4. Rudy Gobert (7’1″)
- Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
- Role: Center
- What Makes Him Stand Out: The three-time Defensive Player of the Year led the NBA in rebounding (12.4 per game) in 2024, and his 7’9″ wingspan leads one of the league’s best defenses.
- Fun Fact: Gobert’s nickname, “The Stifle Tower,” refers to his strong shot-blocking abilities and French heritage.
5. Chet Holmgren (7′ 0″)
- Team: Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Role: center/forward.
- Why he stands out: Holmgren’s quickness and handling abilities for a 7-footer won him Rookie of the Year in 2023. By 2025, he will be averaging 18.5 points and 2.5 blocks a game, firmly establishing himself as one of the tallest NBA players.
- Fun fact: He once outscored LeBron James during a high school game.
6. Zach Edey (7’4″)
- Team: Chicago Bulls (2025 Rookie).
- Role: Center
- What Makes Him Stand Out: The 2023 NCAA Player of the Year introduces traditional post moves to the current NBA. His 7’7″ wingspan and 300-pound body make him an effective rebounder (13.2 per game in college).
- Fun Fact: Edey started playing basketball at 15 years old!
7. Bol Bol (7′ 2″)
- Team: Phoenix Suns.
- Role: Power forward
- Why He Stands Out: Bol’s 7’2″ guard-like talents enabled him to hit 39% from three in 2024, making him stand out. His viral handles have made him a social media sensation.
- Fun fact: Manute Bol, his father, was the NBA’s tallest player ever, at 7’7″.
8. Deandre Ayton (7’0″)
- Team: Portland Trail Blazers
- Role: Center
- Why He Stands Out: Ayton’s 2024 averages (17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds) demonstrate his consistent double-double performance. He has also improved his midrange game, shooting 52% from the field.
- Fun fact: He grew up playing soccer in the Bahamas before transitioning to basketball.
9. Walker Kessler (7′ 0″)
- Team: Utah Jazz.
- Role: Center
- Why he stands out: Kessler averaged 3.2 blocks in 2024, ranking third in the NBA. His timing and verticality draw similarities to a young Marc Gasol.
- Fun fact: He was a backup center at North Carolina before moving to Auburn.
10. Kai Sotto (7′ 2″)
- Team: Orlando Magic.
- Role: Center
- Why he stands out: Following his dominance in Australia’s NBL, the Filipino superstar made his NBA debut in 2024. His quickness and passing (4.1 assists per game abroad) complement the Magic’s motion approach.
- Fun fact: Sotto was the first Southeast Asian player picked by the NBA.
How Height Shapes The Modern Game
The 2025 NBA season demonstrates how 7-foot NBA players on contemporary squads are more than simply rim defenders; they are playmakers. For example, Chet Holmgren’s ability to carry the ball upcourt resembles Giannis Antetokounmpo’s, while Zach Edey’s post-ups evoke 90s physicality. According to a 2024 MIT Sports Analytics Conference paper, teams with a 7-footer in the lineup win 12% more important games because to late-game rebounding.
FAQs
Who is the NBA’s tallest player right now?
As of 2025, Victor Wembanyama (7’4″) holds the title, edging out Boban Marjanović (7’3″).
Is there a 5’7″ NBA player?
Yes! Muggsy Bogues is still the smallest player in NBA history, at 5’3″. Tremont Waters, who is 5’9″, is now one of the league’s smallest guards.
Who was the first 7-foot NBA player?
Walter Dukes, 1960. His height transformed center play.
Who is the 7’9-inch basketball player?
That is Manute Bol (RIP), the NBA’s tallest player ever. His shot-blocking record (8.6 per game in 1986) remains intact.
Are taller players more likely to be injured?
Studies reveal they are prone to foot/knee ailments, although contemporary training decreases the dangers.
Conclusion:
From Wembanyama’s rim-protecting brilliance to Marjanović’s fan-favorite charm, these players demonstrate that height is a strategic advantage, not just a statistic. Whether you’re watching in a vast arena in the United States or at home, keep an eye on these titans as they influence the NBA’s future.
