The 10 best 7-footers to ever play in the NBA

NBA players are tall – that much is obvious. But some players are ridiculously tall and are indeed counted among the tallest people in the world. In this article, we take a look specifically at NBA giants who were 7 foot or taller.

Who among these lofty legends had a real impact on the game, became superstars and can be considered some of the greatest players of all time? In today’s game, if you are looking to capitalize on the newest free bet offers or place some wagers, Jokić, Embiid and Gobert are usually guaranteed to have good nights, statistically!

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The number one spot has to go to Kareem. The Milwaukee and Lakers legend is often overlooked when GOAT discussions arise, but in this category of 7-footers, he reigns supreme. With six rings, six MVPs, two finals MVPS and top scorer of all time (for now), Abdul-Jabbar is the epitome of greatness.

Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem was arguably more talented and dominant that Kareem, but his fewer MVPs and titles let him down slightly. Nonetheless, those who got to see his patented dream shake live were truly blessed. Olajuwon was incredible on both ends of the court and the Houston Rockets would never have been the same team without him.

Wilt Chamberlain

If sportsbooks were a thing back when Wilt played, he would have been a sure pick for NBA predictions, night in, night out. The Big Dipper was a veritable stat machine and some of his records are that legendary that many people now don’t believe them. Anyone for 50ppg in a season? How about 100points in one game? Or an absurd 27.2rpg? The list goes on – Chamberlain was a 7-foot monster.

Shaquille O’Neal

The Big Aristotle was a superhuman beast and in his prime there was no one who could stop Shaq in the paint. It’s a testament to his greatness that he should have easily got more than one season MVP and four rings. Sadly, we will never know what could have been, but this lovable 7-foot-1 giant is deserving of the No. 4 spot on our list.

David Robinson

Although Robinson is usually listed behind Shaq and Hakeem, he is arguably among the top five greatest centers in basketball history. The Admiral was an absolutely offensive beast and who can forget his epic 71-point game that gave him the scoring title? Winning two championships with the Spurs and Tim Duncan, Robinson is a verified legend and a fan favorite.

Patrick Ewing

Despite never winning an NBA championship, Patrick Ewing is widely regarded as one of the best centers of all time. He was an incredible scorer, particularly in the paint, but also a capable rebounder and defender. His career averages fall just short of a 21/10/2.5, and his 1989-90 season was perhaps the most impressive. Here, he averaged 28.6ppg, 10.9rpg and a staggering 4.0 blocks!

Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk is probably the best-know Mavs player of all time and he had something of a cult following during his career in Dallas. He is one of the greatest shooters and scorers of all time, over his career of 20-plus years, and is currently the only person to have 30k points, 10k rebounds, 3k assists, 1.2k steals, 1.2k blocks and 1.5k made 3pt field goals.

Nikola Jokić

Jokić is the only current NBA player we have included on this list. He has spent his entire career at the Denver Nuggets and has become something of a sensation. Currently, he is the reigning regular season MVP and has won back-to-back awards. This is due to his insane stats and the undeniable impact he has made on the Nuggets. Jokić is a capable scorer but his passing for his height is something to behold, and he has more skill and passing variety than many NBA point guards!

Dikembe Mutombo

Mutombo will forever be known for his iconic finger wag after blocking opponents in the paint. He is possibly the best defensive 7-footer of all time and won multiple DPOYs and All-NBA defensive team accolades. Although his offensive output wasn’t terrific, Mutombo was beloved by all – an amazing character and a determined player.

Robert Parish

Parish was an integral member of the 80s Celtics and it is debatable whether Bird and McHale would have been as successful without him. With nine All-Star appearances, two All-NBA teams and pretty decent averages of 14.5ppg and 9.1rpg, Parish certainly deserves the final spot on this list.

There are some other notable players, such as Pau Gasol, Vlade Divac, Artis Gilmore and Rudy Gobert, who are or were all fantastic 7-foot players. Nonetheless, the 10 we have listed are certainly giants among men and can count themselves as the best 7-footers ever in the NBA… for now (here’s looking at you, Wenbanyama!)

7-footer in Basketball

In NBA a 7-footer is a player who is listed at a height of 7 feet (2.13 meters) or taller. These players are typically tall and physically imposing, and they can be dominant forces in the paint. They are often used as centers, which is the position that plays closest to the basket.

7-footers have been a part of the NBA teams for as long as the league has existed. Some of the most iconic players in NBA history, such as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal, were all 7-footers.

In recent years, the NBA has seen a shift towards smaller, more athletic lineups. This has led to a decrease in the number of traditional centers in the league, and 7-footers are now more likely to be used as power forwards, which is a position that plays further away from the basket.

However, 7-footers can still be very effective players in the NBA. They are often the most dominant rebounders and shot blockers in the league, and they can also be very effective scorers in the paint. 7-footers who can also shoot three-pointers and defend multiple positions are even more valuable.