These are the greatest players in NBA history ranked by their height.
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Basketball is known as a tall man’s game because large players always have an advantage over other players. The rim is 10 feet from the floor, meaning the taller players can have a greater impact at blocking shots, defending the rim, and also scoring easily. But that does not automatically mean that a large player will always translate into a good player. In fact, we have seen many instances where big men struggle to make any impact whatsoever. Many of them, unfortunately, happened to be ineffectual No. 1 draft picks in NBA Drafts.
Most of the time, the most skilled and talented players are often guards and forwards who can do more things on the court because they can get the ball whenever they want. Not to mention, the days where big men control the league is over because we are seeing guards and forwards taking over the NBA as each year passes. Regardless, every player can have an impact at their height if they focus on the right things to help their teams. It is time to go through NBA history to find the greatest player ever based on their height. We have already seen the best-ranked players per height in the NBA currently, but do these names hold up on all-time lists? It is time to find out.
Under 6'0": Isaiah Thomas
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Honorable Mention: Muggsy Bogues
Being under 6 feet tall in the NBA is certainly a disadvantage, but it has not stopped a host of talented guards. Isaiah Thomas, a former Boston Celtics All-Star, has to be the best of the bunch of little men. The talented guard was a scoring machine in his prime and holds a career average of 17.7 PPG on 43.4% shooting from the field. A master at coming off screens and creating his own shots, Thomas accomplished a lot as a 5’9” player in a big man’s world.
Muggsy Bogues was only 5’3” tall, but he was so difficult to handle in his prime. He maneuvered well between players’ legs and was a talented playmaker as well. The speedster knew how to push the pace, set up teammates for shots, and catch players napping by playing passing lanes. A talented playmaker, Bogues finished his career with an average of 7.6 APG.
6'0": Allen Iverson
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Honorable Mention: Chris Paul
No doubt, Allen Iverson is the greatest player who ever stood 6 feet tall. Known as “The Answer,” Iverson was a force at scoring from mid-range and at the basket, often absorbing contact and getting right back up. No doubt one of the most popular players ever, Iverson won 4 scoring titles and made 11 All-Star Teams as arguably the most impactful player in Philadelphia 76ers history.
Chris Paul, one of the best leaders in sports, is still going strong in his 18th NBA season. A dynamic point guard with a beautiful jumper and lock-down defensive capabilities, Paul has accomplished almost everything in the NBA besides winning an NBA title. Just like most smaller players, Paul has been limited in what he can do but still remains one of the greatest point guards we have ever seen.
6'1": Isiah Thomas
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Honorable Mention: John Stockton
Detroit Pistons legend and the leader of the “Bad Boys,” Isiah Thomas, was a superstar at the point guard position. He never really had a chance to win an MVP award, and his numbers did not always jump out of the paper, but Thomas was a winner and one of the toughest players of all time. With 2 NBA titles and a Finals MVP trophy to his name, Isiah Thomas is enshrined as the greatest player at 6’1” tall.
Behind Isiah is John Stockon, the NBA’s all-time assist and steals leader. A prototypical point guard in the form of being a pass-first star, Stockton formed one of the greatest duos in NBA history alongside “The Mailman, Karl Malone. The Utah Jazz franchise never missed the postseason with Stockton at the helm, and the all-time great point guard also happens to be the closest to Thomas in terms of being the best 6’1” player ever.
6'2": Stephen Curry
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Honorable Mention: Kyrie Irving
There is a dispute as to what Stephen Curry’s true height is, but he is listed as 6’2”. That means that the Golden State Warriors legend ranks first at his size, and his accomplishments have been truly extraordinary. One of the most unselfish stars ever, Curry welcomed in Kevin Durant in 2017 to capture back-to-back titles and has since added more trophies to his trophy cabinet. With 4 NBA titles, 2 MVPs, and a Finals MVP trophy, there is no doubt that Steph is the greatest shooter of all time and one of the most likable athletes of his generation.
Kyrie Irving is actually the second-greatest player at 6’2” tall. An elite ball-handler who might rank first among the greatest dribblers ever, Kyrie is must-see TV and has some of the highest-level skills we have ever seen. Whatever Irving does or says off the court should not be included in what he does on the basketball court because the point guard might have hit the biggest shot in NBA Finals history when his three-pointer over Stephen Curry swishes through the net in 2016.
6'3": Jerry West
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Honorable Mention: Steve Nash
Jerry West, The Logo, was not only an iconic player but an elite executive as well. A true basketball genius, West has meant a lot to the NBA, and his legacy is further secure as a Los Angeles Lakers star. Jerry West was known as Mr. Clutch because his scoring always came in critical moments, even if he somehow went 1-8 in the NBA Finals. A 14-time All-Star and 12-time All-NBA performer, Jerry West is the greatest player at 6’3” tall, and it isn’t close.
Behind Jerry West is Steve Nash, a two-time MVP and one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history. Nash was always a consistent threat to shoot 50-40-90 in a given NBA season and had some of the greatest playmaking skills of his generation, a reason why he was the architect behind the “7 seconds or less” Phoenix Suns. An 8-time All-Star and 5-time assists champion, Nash ended his career as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
6'4": Dwyane Wade
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Honorable Mention: Jason Kidd
Dwyane Wade, at 6’4”, was not only the greatest shot-blocking guard ever but one of the game’s premier shooting guards. Behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, Wade has a strong argument for being the most dominant shooting guard on both ends of the floor. A 13-time All-Star, Dwyane Wade did the unthinkable in 2006 when he took the Miami Heat to an NBA championship after posting 34.7 PPG against the Dallas Mavericks. Wade retired with 3 NBA titles and 8 All-NBA selections to his name.
There have been many great point guards throughout NBA history, but Jason Kidd was one-of-a-kind. The talented point guard did not come into the game with an efficient jumper but eventually became the 14th-best three-point shooter in terms of total threes made in NBA history. Besides that, Kidd was a triple-double threat as a point guard who had 5 assist titles and 9 All-Defensive Team selections at his retirement. An all-time great leader, Kidd also won the NBA title in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks.
6'5": Oscar Robertson
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Honorable Mention: Elgin Baylor
Oscar Robertson was a 6’5” point guard with some of the greatest physical gifts we have ever seen. The original triple-double king, Robertson was the first player to ever average a triple-double in an NBA season, and he did it in 1962 when he posted 30.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, and 11.4 APG. Beyond his eye-popping stats, Oscar Robertson also captured an MVP award, an NBA title, and made 11 All-NBA Team appearances. No doubt, Robertson is a top-15 player of all time, and his resume backs it up.
Behind him is Lakers great Elgin Baylor, one of the most dominant offensive players ever. Baylor finished his career with a scoring average of 27.4 PPG, which ranks 3rd all-time behind Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. Had Baylor broken through and won an NBA title, we might be looking at a top-12 player ever, but he still ended up in the Hall of Fame with 11 All-Star and 10 All-NBA Team selections.
6'6": Michael Jordan
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Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant
The greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan, is forever the greatest player to ever stand 6’6”. That is the perfect height for a shooting guard because he can maneuver well, score freely, and still have the muscularity and size to compete on defense and in the paint. Overall, no player has come close to Michael as an individual talent, and 6 NBA titles and 10 scoring titles settle the case for the Chicago Bulls star for being the greatest basketball player that ever walked the face of the Earth.
The second greatest shooting guard ever and the closest thing to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant came awfully close to what the Bulls star did on the court. With 5 NBA titles, 2 Finals MVPs, and an 81-point game on his resume, Bryant tried to follow every one of Michael’s steps in the NBA. Arguably the most clutch player in NBA history and possibly the most skilled player ever, Kobe stood 6’6”, which only further identifies him as a near photocopy of the great Michael Jordan.
6'7": Julius Erving
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Honorable Mention: Kawhi Leonard
Dr. J himself, Julius Erving, is the greatest 6’7” star ever. A ferocious dunker and one of the most graceful players of his time, Erving was a true superstar for the game of basketball. Dominating the ABA to start his professional career, Dr. J took his talents to the NBA and did not let up. With 2 ABA championships and 1 NBA championship to his name, Erving was a bonafide star who had 16 All-Star selections and a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Meanwhile, current Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is the second-greatest 6’7” star ever. An elite defensive wing with a methodical offensive approach to the game, Leonard has taken an interesting perspective into his own career because he has not been known to handle injuries well, and seeing him on the court has been rare, to say the least. But there is no doubt that Kawhi is a Hall of Famer with 2 NBA titles, 2 Finals MVPs, and 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards to his name already.
6'8": Scottie Pippen
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Honorable Mention: Dominique Wilkins
A 6-time NBA champion and the sidekick to the greatest player of all time, Scottie Pippen, reached a level that was truly magnificent while playing for the Chicago Bulls. An elite defensive wing with a very high basketball IQ, Pippen was critical in helping Jordan capture 6 NBA championships over two separate 3-peats. Witnessing Jordan and Pippen shut down opponents and win games consistently might have been the greatest times for the NBA as a global game. Of course, Scottie Pippen was inducted into the Hall of Fame and is the greatest player at 6’8” that we have ever seen.
Dominique Wilkins was a 9-time All-Star, 7-time All-NBA performer, and a Hall of Famer who will go down in history as one of the game’s greatest offensive talents. An explosive dunker and talented offensive star, Wilkins was a force to handle on an individual level and is also one of the greatest players who ever competed in the 1980s. Other than Bob Pettit, there hasn’t been a more impactful player to play for the Atlanta Hawks franchise.
6'9": LeBron James
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA Today Sports
Honorable Mention: Magic Johnson
At 6’9”, we have been gifted two of the greatest passers of all time. LeBron Jame is the greatest player at 6’9” because his accolades, longevity, and impact will stand the test of time. Disregarding what The King does off the court, James has been in the NBA for 20 years and has consistently performed at the highest level. A mix of physical gifts, health, and hard work has placed James at the very elite of basketball talent. With 4 NBA titles and 4 MVPs, James has to be the best player who stands 6’9”.
The man who was one of the players who inspired LeBron James, Magic Johnson, was an iconic figure as a 6’9” point guard. The first real big point guard, Johnson, has to be regarded as the greatest leader of all time. The point guard made his teammates better, always gave credit away, and just made basketball a joy to watch. The leader of the iconic “Showtime” Lakers squad that won 5 NBA titles, Magic is right behind LeBron as the greatest 6’9” basketball player.
6'10": Bill Russell
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Honorable Mention: Kevin Durant
It is amazing how Bill Russell had so much success at the center position despite only being 6’10”. Most centers of his era, including Wilt Chamberlain, were 7-footers with tremendous length. But Russell was a master on defense and perfected the art of blocking shots and coming up with rebounds to kickstart a fast break. After all, just look at the results. Bill Russell was part of a Boston Celtics franchise that won 11 NBA championships out of 12 Finals appearances, simply astonishing stuff from the late and great center.
Kevin Durant’s height has often been discussed across the NBA, but he is officially listed at 6’10”, although he looks 7 feet tall when he plays. The superstar forward is, therefore, right behind Mr. Russell as the best player at his height. A 4-time scoring champion, Durant has changed the game for the way he scores the ball so effortlessly. A polarizing figure, to say the least, Durant has been on a path to finding his happiness in the NBA, and individual success has found him as a result.
6'11": Tim Duncan
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan is not only the greatest power forward ever, but the greatest player who ever stood 6’11”. Known as The Big Fundamental, Duncan was a dominant inside scorer who could also lock down the paint and defend with the best of them. Over his illustrious career that spanned 19 years with the San Antonio Spurs, Duncan captured 5 NBA titles, 3 Finals MVPs, and 2 MVP awards. We might never see a power forward, or a 6’11” player, as great as Duncan ever again.
Kevin Garnett is right behind Duncan as a 6’11” superstar who impacted the game on both ends of the floor. Known as “The Big Ticket,” Garnett was a winner of the highest order and managed a host of accolades, including an NBA title, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and an MVP trophy. A dominant two-way star and all-time great leader, Garnett deserves mention for being one of the best players of his era.
7'0": Hakeem Olajuwon
Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Dirk Nowitzki
Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon had every post move in the book, and his footwork was splendid, to say the least. The Nigerian superstar was unstoppable on the block and managed to win back-to-back NBA titles and Finals MVPs for the Houston Rockets in 1994 and 1995. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year winner as well, Hakeem is without a doubt the most talented player who never stood exactly 7 feet tall.
The closest player to Hakeem at the exact height of 7 feet tall was none other than Dirk Nowitzki. The German accomplished the biggest goal of his career in 2011 by defeating the Miami Heat super team led by LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and earned his only Finals MVP trophy. Armed with an unstoppable jumper, Dirk is also the greatest shooting big man we have ever seen.
Over 7'0": Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Shaquille O’Neal
Kareem Abdul-Jabar is the most talented player that stood over 7 feet tall. Armed with the most unstoppable shot in NBA history, Kareem decimated defenses for two decades and did it while winning a ton of games. With 6 NBA titles, 6 MVPs, and 15 All-NBA Team selections, Abdul-Jabbar will likely never be surpassed as an all-time great center with dominant inside skills. If we include college accolades as well, Kareem could realistically be considered the greatest basketball player of all time.
Credit must be given to Shaquille O’Neal because he might have an edge over Wilt Chamberlain due to the fact that he won 3 NBA titles, 3 Finals MVPs, and an MVP award while dominating the court with mainly the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat. Shaq never achieved the heights of Kareem, but he still retired as a top-ten player of all time.
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