Who are the 10 best 7'1 NBA players in the history of the league?

Who are the best 7'1 players in the league's history? NBA has produced incredibly tall players who have enjoyed the privilege of having a natural ability to play basketball and shoot the ball. Most of them have won numerous titles for their teams and made their nations proud.

Who is over 7 feet tall in the NBA? According to Lines, the average height of NBA players is 6 feet, 6 inches. However, some individuals, primarily centres, are taller, standing at 7 feet and above, as revealed by 2kratings. Their height gives them an added advantage in defending and scoring.

Top 10 best 7'1 NBA players

Some basketball positions require athletes to have a particular height to excel. However, height is only part of it, and some professional players' height is below average. How many 7-foot-plus players are in the NBA? Here is a list of the best 7'1 players in the league's history.

Discover more about Chicago Bulls basketball players, NBA playoffs, coach, arena, stats, owner, NBA championships

NBA

10. Jay Huff

• Full name: James Matthew Huff
• Nationality: American
• Date of birth: August 25th, 1997
• Team: Denver Nuggets

Jay Huff is an American centre signed with the Denver Nuggets and the NBA G League's Grand Rapids Gold. He made his professional debut in 2021 with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Huff was coached by his father, Mike, and was his school's leading scorer in 2016, his senior year. The athlete led his team to the Class 1A state title and earned the Most Valuable Player award after scoring 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

9. Ibou Badji

• Full name: Ibou Dianko Badji
• Nationality: Senegalese
• Date of birth: October 13th, 2002
• Team: Portland Trail Blazers

Anthony Davis’ height, salary, age, net worth, wife, Instagram, injury

NBA

Senegalese athlete Ibou Badji is among the current 7'1 NBA players on a two-way contract with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers and NBA G League's Rip City Remix. He is an alumnus of the NBA Academy in Senegal.

Badji started his international career in 2019 with Barcelona and stayed until 2021. He moved to Força Lleida (2021 to 2022) and Wisconsin Herd (2022 to 2023).

8. Dereck Lively II

• Full name: Dereck Jerome Lively II
• Nationality: American
• Date of birth: February 12th, 2004
• Team: Dallas Mavericks

Dereck Lively II, 20, is a centre and power forward for the Dallas Mavericks. He represented the Duke Blue Devils of Duke University and was among the top players in the 2022 class.

The NBA centre made his professional debut in 2023 after ditching college. He was part of the 2022 McDonald's All-American games and the Nike Hoop Summit in 2022. Lively is among the best 7'1 NBA players of all time.

Damian Lillard's height, salary, age, net worth, wife, Instagram, rap career

NBA

7. Jakob Poeltl

• Full name: Jakob Pöeltl
• Nationality: Austrian
• Date of birth: October 15th, 1995
• Team: Toronto Raptors

Jakob is one of the famous 7'1 NBA players playing as a centre for the Toronto Raptors. He played college basketball for the Utah Utes (University of Utah). He started playing professionally in 2013.

His parents play for the Austrian national volleyball team. The Toronto Raptors selected Jacob in the 2016 draft. He quit college with two years left to focus on his NBA career. In his debut year, he won several awards, including the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Pac-12 Player of the Year.

6. Rudy Gobert

• Full name: Rudy Gobert-Bourgarel
• Nationality: French
• Date of birth: June 26th, 1992
• Team: Minnesota Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert is a French basketball centre who plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He started his NBA journey in 2013 after joining the Denver Nuggets. The centre represented the Utah Jazz for nine years (2013 to 2022).

Bradley Beal's height, salary, age, net worth, wife, Instagram, trade rumours

NBA

He is also a member of the French national team. He boasts three NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards (2018, 2019, 2021) and is a three-time NBA All-Star (2020-2022). Gobert was named the 2019 French Player of the Year.

5. Brook Lopez

• Full name: Brook Robert Lopez
• Nationality: American
• Date of birth: April 1st, 1988
• Team: Milwaukee Bucks

Brook is among the best 7'1 NBA players in 2024. The American native is a centre for the Milwaukee Bucks, with whom he won the NBA Championship in 2021. He is popularly known as ''Splash Mountain.''

Lopez played with the Brooklyn Nets for nine years and is the team's all-time leading scorer. He won the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2020 and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2023.

4. Chet Holmgren

• Full name: Chet Thomas Holmgren
• Nationality: American
• Date of birth: May 1st, 2002
• Team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Travis Kelce's net worth, age, stats, salary, height, GIRLFRIEND

NFL

Chet Holmgren is one of the top 7'1 players of all time. He plays as a centre and power forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Holmgren was coached by his father, who is a former basketball star.

The centre started playing in high school, winning awards like the National High School Player of the Year (2021) and the Minnesota Mr Basketball in the same year. He joined the Thunder in 2022 and also represents his national team.

3. Alex Len

• Full name: Oleksii Yuriyovych Len
• Nationality: Ukrainian
• Date of birth: June 16th, 1993

The Ukrainian athlete is a talented centre for the Sacramento Kings, which he joined in 2021. He was part of the Phoenix Suns (2013-2018), Atlanta Hawks (2018-2020), and the Washington Wizards ((2021).

Len started playing at 13 and was a member of his country's national team, participating in the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship and the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He starred for the University of Maryland's basketball team from 2011 to 2013.

A ranked list of 10 of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA

NBA

2. David Robinson

• Full name: David Maurice Robinson
• Nationality: American
• Date of birth: August 6th, 1965
• Team: Retired

David Robinson is a retired player who spent his entire career with the San Antonio Spurs (1989 to 2003). He is a 10-time NBA All-Star and the 1995 NBA MVP. Robinson is a two-time Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

The legendary centre was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary team in 1996 and the 75th Anniversary team in 2021. David won a gold medal in nearly all tournaments with his national squad except at the 1987 Pan Am Games.

1. Dirk Nowitzki

• Full name: Dirk Werner Nowitzki
• Nationality: German
• Date of birth: June 19th, 1978
• Team: Retired

Dirk Nowitzki is a former power forward and among the best 7'1 NBA players of all time. The retired athlete is among the best European players ever to play in the NBA. Nowitzki played for DJK Würzburg (1994-1998) and Dallas Mavericks (1998-2019).

Top 20 most attractive WNBA players in the world in 2023 and their IG links

NBA

Dirk won numerous trophies throughout his 21-year NBA career, including 14 NBA All-Stars, two FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year, and nine All-Europeans Power Forward of the Year. He also played for his country's national team. The NBA reported that the Dallas Mavericks retired Nowitzki's number 41 jersey in 2019.

Frequently asked questions

7'1 basketball players are among the tallest individuals in the sport. Their stats and achievements speak volumes of their abilities. Here are some frequently asked questions about these players.

What is the average height of NBA players?

According to online sources, NBA players have an average height of 6 feet and 6 inches. However, while height is an added advantage for the sport, some have mastered their skill and do exceptionally well despite being shorter.

Which basketball position requires the tallest players?

In most teams, centres are the tallest in the squad, a trait that helps them shoot and pass with ease. Positions like the forwards do not necessarily require tall players.

Who is the tallest basketball player in the NBA right now?

NBA

Final word

These 7'1 NBA players have performed exceptionally well in their careers, representing their clubs and countries in the best way possible. Their natural physique works in their favour and has helped them become the best.

READ ALSO: The best 6'4 players in the NBA

Sports Brief published an article listing the best players in the NBA who are 6 feet and 4 inches. These individuals appear smaller than their colleagues but are just as skilled. Dwayne Wade is the best 6'4 athlete, boasting 13 All-Stars and three NBA championships. Follow the above link to see the complete list of basketball players who are 6'4.