1. Manute Bol: 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) – 225 pounds
Manute Bol was born in Sudan in 1962, and played in the NBA 1985-1994. Bol came from a family of giants, his mother was 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), his dad 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and his sister 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m), his grandfather was even taller at 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m).
Manute Bol was very active in charity work throughout his professional career, he established his own foundation “Ring True Foundation” to help Sudanese refugees. Manute Bol died June 19th, 2010 from acute kidney failure.
NBA career: Washington Bullets (1985 – 1988, 1994), Golden State Warriors (1988-1990, 1994), Philadelphia 76ers (1990-1993), Miami Heat (1993-1994)
2. Gheorghe Muresan: 7 ft 7 in (2.31 m) – 303 pounds
Gheorge Muresan, better known as George, is a Romanian retired NBA giant. His abnormal height is the result of a pituitary disorder, unlike Bol which came from a family of extremely tall people.
After his NBA career, George experimented with acting but it didn’t turn out to become a glorious career. Most notable appearance is in the 1998 movie “My Giant”. He also appeared in a couple of commercials for Snickers and ESPN.
NBA career: Washington Bullets (1993-1994, 1995-1997), New Jersey Nets (1998-2000)
3. Yao Ming: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) – 310 pounds
Yao Ming was born in China in 1980 and started his basketball career at Shanghai Sharks in his teenage years. He was selected as the 1st overall pick in the 2002 NBA draft by Houston Rockets. Yao Ming is a true superstar in China and he has been the richest celebrity in China for six straight years.
NBA career: Houston Rockets (2002-present)
4. Shawn Bradley: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) – 275 pounds
Born in Germany in 1972, Shawn Bradley holds a dual-citizenship (American and German). Shawn was drafted in the 1993 NBA Draft as the second overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. Together with fellow Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki, Bradley appeared on the German National team that finished fourth in the EuroBasket 2001 tournament in Turkey.
NBA career: Philadelphia 76ers (1993-1995), New Jersey Nets (1995-1997), Dallas Mavericks (1997-2005)
5. Chuck Nevitt: 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) – 250 pounds
Chuck Nevitt (born 1959) played 9 seasons in the NBA over a period of 12 years, he did not play more than 45 minutes in any season so it was not a glorious career.
Chuck now lives in Raleigh-Durham, NC and makes a living as an IT professional.
NBA career: Houston Rockets (1982-1983, 1988-1990), Los Angeles Lakers (1984 – 1986), Detroit Pistons (1986-1988), Chicago Bulls (1992), San Antonio Spurs (1993)
6. Slavko Vraneš: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) – 275 pounds
Slavko (born 1983, Yugoslavia) was selected in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the New York Nets, however he was waived already in December 2003. In January 2004 he signed a 10-day contract with Portland Trail Blazers and in those 10 days he managed to play one NBA game in the 2003-2004 season.
Slavko is still an active pro basketball player back in Montenegro, most recently appearing for Partizan Belgrade.
NBA career: New York Knicks (2003), Portland Trail Blazers (2004)
7. Mark Eaton: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) – 290 pounds
Mark E. Eaton (born 1957, California) was drafted in the forth round in the NBA draft 1982 by Utah Jazz. He is most famous for his outstanding defensive skills, he holds the record for most blocks per game in a season (5.56) and also in a career (3.50).
After retiring from NBA in 1994 he has served as president of the “NBA retired players association” and is still a board member there. Eaton has worked for KJZZ-TV in Salt Lake City covering basketball events from Utah Jazz and University of Utah.
NBA career: Utah Jazz (1982-1994)
8. Pavel Podzolkin: 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) – 260 pounds
Pavel Podzolkin (born 1985, Russia) was drafted 21st overall in the 2004 NBA draft by Utah Jazz, he was immediately traded of to Dallas Mavericks for a future first round pick.
Podzolkin only managed to play 6 games in 2 seasons before he was waived by the Dallas Mavericks. He still plays for the Russian National Team.
NBA career: Dallas Mavericks (2004-2006)
9. Rik Smits: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) – 265 pounds
Rik Smits (born 1966, Netherlands) spent his entire professional career playing for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA. First round, second pick of the 1988 NBA draft.
Smits was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team in 1998 after a glorious career, averaging 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
NBA career: Indiana Pacers (1988-2000)
10. Ralph Sampson: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) – 235 pounds)
Ralph Lee Sampson (born 1960, Virginia) was drafted #1 in the 1983 NBA draft by Houston Rockets. He had a great career with four-time All-Star team selections and NBA rookie of the year. His career ended early at 32 due to knee problems, he had 3 knee surgeries and never really recovered 100% from them to regain his career.
His son Ralp Sampson III (born 1990) is a promising basketball player who currently plays for University of Minnesota.
NBA career: Houston Rockets (1983-1988), Golden State Warriors (1988-1989), Sacramento Kings (1989-1991), Washington Bullets (1991-1992)
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