When you think of the NBA, you think of giants. The average player stands 6-foot-7, but the power forwards and centers who patrol the paint? They reach heights that seem almost otherworldly. And it makes sense: the taller you are, the closer you are to the basket, the easier it is to throw down dunks, snatch rebounds, and protect the rim. But in the 2026 NBA Finals, something unprecedented is happening — a player so tall, so skilled, insiders say he could rewrite the rules of the game.
Victor Wembanyama, at 7-foot-4, moves like a guard and leads the league in blocks for the third straight season. But he’s not alone in the pantheon of giants. Let’s break down the towering figures who have shaped — and sometimes haunted — the league.
Mark Eaton: 7-foot-4
Mark Eaton spent his entire 11-year career with the Utah Jazz, between 1982 and 1994, becoming one of the greatest rim protectors in NBA history. Standing 7-foot-4, Eaton led the league in blocks four times and once averaged an astonishing 5.6 blocks per game — a single-season record that still stands. Unlike many other giants, Eaton was remarkably durable, playing five full 82-game seasons and at least 80 games in nine of his 11 years. With Eaton anchoring the paint and the Stockton-to-Malone pick-and-roll humming, many fans and analysts still wonder: how did the Jazz not win a title?
Rik Smits: 7-foot-4
Rik Smits, also 7-foot-4, spent all 12 of his NBA seasons with the Indiana Pacers (1988–2000) and never averaged fewer than double figures in scoring. His career averages: 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 50.7 percent shooting. Foot injuries cut his career short, but in his prime, Smits was a force — a reliable mid-range shooter with slick post moves. Shaquille O’Neal once called Smits one of his toughest matchups. And yes, “The Dunking Dutchman” remains one of the best nicknames in league history.
Ralph Sampson: 7-foot-4
Ralph Sampson, alongside Hakeem Olajuwon, formed the original “Twin Towers” in Houston. At 7-foot-4, Sampson helped the Rockets reach the 1986 NBA Finals. He made the All-Star team in each of his first four seasons and averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds twice. But after the Finals run, injuries derailed his career. From 1987 to 1992, Sampson bounced from Golden State to Sacramento to Washington before retiring. He finished with career averages of 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks. At Virginia, he became only the second player — after Bill Walton — to win three national College Player of the Year awards, making him one of the most hyped prospects in NBA draft history.
Victor Wembanyama: 7-foot-4
Speaking of hyped prospects: Wembanyama’s unicorn skill set at 7-foot-4 made him the most coveted international talent in years. The basketball world knew about the French phenom long before the San Antonio Spurs drafted him. Now 22, he’s already won Defensive Player of the Year. He hits step-back jumpers, handles the ball like a guard, and blocks shots at an elite level. Some insiders believe he could become the best big man in NBA history. As of this writing, his Spurs trail 2-1 in the NBA Finals — but the drama is far from over.
Boban Marjanovic: 7-foot-4
Boban Marjanovic, at 7-foot-4, started his NBA journey with the Spurs in 2015 and has since bounced between Detroit, the Clippers, Philadelphia, Dallas, and most recently, Houston. Wherever he goes, he becomes a fan favorite — for his joyful smile, his social media antics, and his role as an assassin in a “John Wick” movie. Offensively, he’s skilled: he hits mid-range shots, grabs offensive boards, and has solid court awareness. But defensively, he struggles in space and averages just 0.3 blocks per game for his career. His parents? His father is 5-foot-9, his mother 5-foot-6. Despite his journeyman status, some argue Boban should have been more — his career PER of 25.3 would rank 12th all-time if he’d played enough games.
Priest Lauderdale: 7-foot-4
Priest Lauderdale played just two NBA seasons, for Atlanta and Denver, totaling 74 games and averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds. He then played for 23 professional teams overseas — a true journeyman.
Chuck Nevitt: 7-foot-5
Chuck Nevitt, at 7-foot-5, bounced around the league from 1982 to 1994 — with Houston, the Lakers, Detroit, Chicago, and San Antonio. He played just 155 games, averaging 5.3 minutes per game. But he was a member of the 1985 Lakers championship team, and he remains the tallest American-born player in NBA history.
Pavel Podkolzin: 7-foot-5
Pavel Podkolzin, a 7-foot-5 center, played in just six games for the Dallas Mavericks between 2004 and 2006. That’s it.
Sim Bhullar: 7-foot-5
Sim Bhullar, at 7-foot-5, appeared in three games for the Sacramento Kings in 2005 — and then his NBA career was over. He is of Indian descent.
Slavko Vranes: 7-foot-5
Slavko Vranes is one of the tallest players in league history. He played exactly one game for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2003-04 and was never seen again. The 7-foot-5 mark has almost become a curse in the NBA.
Shawn Bradley: 7-foot-6
Shawn Bradley, at 7-foot-6, might be the most posterized player in NBA history — entire YouTube highlight reels are dedicated to players dunking on him. But he lasted from 1994 to 2005, playing for Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Dallas. He found a home with the Mavericks, where he spent the last 8.5 seasons of his career. He averaged double figures in scoring only four times and led the league in blocks once (3.4 per game in 1996-97). He also appeared in “Space Jam,” so that’s something.
Yao Ming: 7-foot-6
Yao Ming, at 7-foot-6, was an eight-time All-Star and a global ambassador for the NBA. He played his entire career with the Houston Rockets, but injuries limited him to just nine seasons. He missed the entire 2009-10 season. Yao had a smooth offensive game: a reliable jumper and an 83.3 percent free-throw shooter for his career. In his first three seasons, he played at least 80 games. Over the final six, he played 57, 48, 55, 77, zero, and five games. He finished with career averages of 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. He remains one of the greatest what-ifs in NBA history.
Tacko Fall: 7-foot-6
Tacko Fall, at 7-foot-6 (though often listed at 7-foot-5), signed with the Boston Celtics as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and earned a two-way contract. He showed soft touch and remarkable mobility for his size. But in the modern NBA, defending in space is essential, and Fall couldn’t do it. He’s been out of the league since 2022 and now plays in China. His father is 6-foot, his mother 5-foot-9.
Manute Bol: 7-foot-7
Manute Bol, at 7-foot-7 and reportedly around 200 pounds (how?), had a 10-year NBA career (1985–95) with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia, and Miami. He was a master shot blocker, leading the league twice, averaging 5.0 blocks per game as a rookie and 4.3 in his fourth season. He blocked 15 shots in a game twice — a feat only Shaquille O’Neal has also achieved. He averaged 3.3 blocks per game for his career (6.4 per 36 minutes). Offensively, his skills were limited, though he had a catapult three-point shot that sometimes went in. His son, Bol Bol (7-foot-2), has become a fan favorite in his own right.
Gheorghe Muresan: 7-foot-7
Gheorghe Muresan, also 7-foot-7, played for the Washington Bullets (and later the New Jersey Nets). He was legitimately good. By his third season, he was averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks, shooting 58.4 percent. He led the league in field goal percentage two years in a row, hitting 60.4 percent the following season. But injuries cut him down. He spent four seasons with the Bullets (1993–97), missing the entire 1997-98 campaign, and then played just 31 games for the Nets over two years before retiring.
From Mark Eaton to Victor Wembanyama, these giants have shaped the NBA in ways both spectacular and heartbreaking. As the 2026 Finals unfold, one thing is clear: the era of the super-tall unicorn is only just beginning.
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