10 Tallest WNBA Player of All Time to Ever Play the Game

You know how when someone mentions basketball, your mind probably jumps straight to those towering players? That's especially true in the WNBA, where height often feels like everything. When you've got the tallest WNBA player on the court, it changes everything. Brittney Griner, the current tallest WNBA player at 6'9", is an absolute game-changer, swatting shots left and right, grabbing rebounds like they're picking apples, and owning the paint in ways that make opposing teams rethink their entire strategy.
What's really cool is how players like Griner have adapted to today's fast-paced game. They're not just standing around under the basket anymore, they're running the floor, making plays, and showing everyone that being tall doesn't mean being slow or one-dimensional.
So while we've seen shorter players write some of the most exciting chapters in WNBA history, there's no denying that height is still a pretty powerful weapon in basketball. The tallest players are carrying on that tradition, making their mark on both ends of the court and reminding us why sometimes, it really does help to have a few extra inches.

Who is the Tallest WNBA Player of All Time?

When you're talking about pure height in the WNBA, nobody comes close to Margo Dydek. She is the tallest WNBA player of all time. This Polish powerhouse stood at an absolutely towering 7 feet 2 inches, making her a literal giant among giants. Picture this: she was so tall that even her fellow WNBA players had to crane their necks to look up at her! To put that in perspective, she was taller than most NBA centers and could probably change a light bulb without needing a ladder. So, she is on the top of our list tallest wnba player of all time.

Top 10 Tallest WNBA Players of All Time

You know what's amazing about the WNBA? It's this perfect blend of pure athleticism and chess-match strategy, and when you throw in some serious height, things get interesting. The league's tallest players aren't just walking around being tall for the sake of it. These women are out there completely changing how the game gets played. So, as we dive into the 2025 season, let's take a look at the top 10 tallest players of all time who are literally and figuratively standing tall in the WNBA.

We're talking about genuinely skilled athletes who've learned to use their height as just one tool in a pretty impressive toolkit. They all bring something special to the court, that combination of reach, timing, and basketball IQ that can flip a game in an instant.

Disclaimer: The following ranking is not based on performance, statistics, or any specific criteria beyond player height. Since multiple athletes share the same listed height, the order presented is arbitrary and does not reflect skill level, team impact, or seniority. The numbering is purely for listing purposes.

#10: Kamilla Cardoso (6'7")

When you watch Kamilla Cardoso step onto the court, the first thing that strikes you isn't just her imposing 6'7" frame, it's how naturally she moves despite her size. She is number 10 on our list of the tallest WNBA player of all time. The Chicago Sky knew exactly what they were getting when they made her the third pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, and she's already proving their faith was well-placed. Coming out of South Carolina, Cardoso wasn't just another tall player with potential, she was the cornerstone of back-to-back national championship teams in 2022 and 2024, earning Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors in her final collegiate season.
What makes Cardoso special isn't just that she can dominate the paint, though she certainly can. It's watching her read the game like a veteran, sliding into perfect position for a block or finding the right angle for a rebound. Her rookie numbers tell part of the story- nearly 13 points and 7 rebounds per game while anchoring Chicago's defense, but the real excitement comes from watching her learn and adapt on the fly. She's already showing she can hold her own against seasoned WNBA centers, using her mobility to stay with quicker players and her basketball instincts to make the right play when it matters.
Chicago got themselves more than just size and athleticism, they got a player who understands winning. In a league where every possession matters, having someone who can protect the rim, control the boards, and stay cool under pressure might just be exactly what the Sky needed to take the next step. The best part? She's just getting started.

#9: Teaira McCowan (6'7")

At 6'7", Teaira McCowan doesn't need to announce her presence, you feel it the moment she steps into the paint. When the Indiana Fever made her the third overall pick in 2019, they weren't just drafting size; they were getting a player who would redefine what it means to control the boards. After making her mark in Indiana, McCowan found her true home when Dallas traded for her in March 2022, and the Wings haven't looked back since.
What sets McCowan apart isn't flashy moves or highlight-reel plays, it's pure, relentless effort. She's the player who battles for every rebound like her life depends on it, consistently ranking among the league's top five in boards and making opponents pay for every missed shot. Her 9.1 rebounds per game in 2023 tell part of the story, but watching her box out and create second chances for her team tells the real tale. Around the basket, she's got that soft touch that turns offensive rebounds into easy points.
McCowan might not fill up social media feeds or get the superstar treatment, but ask any coach in the league and they'll tell you, players like her win championships. She brings that old-school toughness and work ethic that every team needs, the kind of player who shows up every night and does the dirty work without complaint. Dallas knew what they had when they locked her up with a multi-year deal, because in a league full of talent, finding someone who simply refuses to be outworked is priceless.

#8: Kara Wolters (6'7")

They called her "Big Girl," and at 6'7", Kara Wolters owned that nickname with pride. Long before today's WNBA stars were even dreaming of professional basketball, Wolters was helping build the foundation of the league as one of its original giants. When she stepped onto the court for the Houston Comets in 1999, she didn't just bring her imposing frame, she brought championship experience from UConn, where she'd already helped Geno Auriemma's Huskies capture their first national title in 1995 with a perfect 35-0 season.
That rookie year with Houston couldn't have gone better. Wolters found herself holding up a WNBA championship trophy, part of the Comets' legendary dynasty that was just getting started. Her journey through the league took her from Houston to Indiana to Sacramento, and everywhere she went, opposing teams had to plan around her presence in the paint. She wasn't flashy or fast, but she didn't need to be. When you're that tall and that smart about positioning, you can change games just by being there.
What made Wolters special wasn't just her height, though that certainly didn't hurt. It was her basketball IQ and understanding of how to use every inch of her frame to maximum effect. She played during the WNBA's early years when the league was still finding its identity, but players like Wolters helped establish what dominant post play could look like. Her 2017 induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame wasn't just recognition of her individual achievements, it was acknowledgment of her role in paving the way for every tall woman who followed her into professional basketball.

#7: Maria Stepanova (6'8")

At 6-foot-8, Maria Stepanova cut an imposing figure on basketball courts around the world. The Russian center brought something special to the WNBA when she joined the Phoenix Mercury after being drafted eighth overall in 1998 – a unique blend of size and skill that was rare for her era. What made Stepanova fascinating wasn't just her height, though she certainly used every inch of it. She moved with a fluidity that seemed to defy physics for someone her size, running the floor with surprising grace and stepping out for mid-range jumpers when defenses sagged off her towering frame.
Her WNBA numbers tell only part of the story. Over five seasons with Phoenix, she averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds across 114 games – stats that might not jump off the page, but anyone who watched her play could see she was doing things differently. She was stretching defenses in ways that big players simply didn't do in the late 1990s and early 2000s, using soft hands for passing and a basketball IQ that made her teammates better. While other centers of her generation were often planted in the paint, Stepanova was redefining what it meant to be a versatile big.
Stepanova's real legacy was built on the international stage, where she helped establish a style of European post play that emphasized skill over pure physicality. She was part of a generation of international players who proved that basketball excellence came in many forms – not just the American model that dominated the early WNBA years. Looking back, she was almost ahead of her time, quietly demonstrating what the future would look like: bigger, more skilled, and beautifully diverse.

#6: Zheng Haixia (6'8")

When Zheng Haixia walked onto a WNBA court for the first time in 1997, she wasn't just making her debut, she was making history. At 6-foot-8, this Chinese basketball legend became the league's first international player, carrying the hopes of an entire nation on her broad shoulders. Picture this: a 30-year-old woman who had already conquered basketball in Asia, stepping into an entirely new world of American professional sports with years of Olympic competition and Asian championship titles behind her.
Her two seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks were brief but unforgettable. In the paint, she was a force of nature, using her towering frame and international experience to battle players half her age. Her post moves were poetry in motion, and when she passed the ball, teammates knew exactly where it would land. The numbers tell part of her story, like that memorable night against Sacramento when she dropped 31 points, but statistics can't capture what it meant to see this gentle giant proving that basketball truly has no borders.
Zheng didn't just play basketball; she opened a door that thousands of international players have since walked through. Every time you see a player from Europe, Asia, or Australia make their mark in the WNBA today, remember the quiet pioneer who showed it could be done.

#5: Liz Cambage (6'8")

Liz Cambage didn't just walk into the WNBA, she bulldozed her way in. At 6-foot-8 with the skill set of a guard trapped in a center's body, the Australian powerhouse turned basketball into her personal art form. From her early days with the Tulsa Shock in 2011 to stints with the Dallas Wings and Las Vegas Aces, Cambage brought something the league had rarely seen: a player who could dominate in the paint while making it look effortless. Her journey wasn't always smooth—she took a five-year break from the WNBA before returning in 2018, but when she was on the court, magic happened.
That magic reached its peak on a sweltering July night in 2018 when Cambage did the unthinkable. Playing for Dallas against New York, she erupted for 53 points, shattering the WNBA's single-game scoring record. It wasn't just the numbers that stunned everyone, it was how she did it. Shot after shot fell with surgical precision, 17 of 22 attempts finding their mark, while she dominated the boards and swatted away shots like an angry giant. Four All-Star selections and countless jaw-dropping performances later, she had proven that basketball brilliance comes in all shapes, sizes, and accents.

#4: Brittney Griner (6'9")

When Brittney Griner walked into the WNBA in 2013 as the number one draft pick, she didn't just bring her 6-foot-9 frame, she brought a complete transformation of what women's basketball could look like. Phoenix Mercury fans had never seen anything quite like her: a player who could dunk with the casual ease of grabbing something off a high shelf, yet moved with the grace of someone half her size. Her shot-blocking wasn't just defense; it was performance art, swatting away attempts with perfect timing that left opponents wondering if they should even bother shooting. Over nine All-Star selections and countless jaw-dropping highlights, she became the measuring stick for dominance in the paint. Being the tallest WNBA player currently, her potential makes her one of the top contenders of the Hall Of Fame.
The accolades tell one story- WNBA champion in 2014, multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards, scoring titles, and records that may never be broken. But they can't capture the electricity she brought to every arena or the way she made impossible plays look routine. Whether she was protecting the rim like a goalkeeper or throwing down dunks that sent crowds into delirium, Griner turned basketball into must-see television. Her basketball IQ and court vision were just as impressive as her physical gifts, making her teammates better and opponents game-plan around her very existence.
Then came 2022, when the world held its breath as Griner faced her darkest chapter away from basketball. Her return to the court wasn't just a comeback, it was a testament to the human spirit. Every block, every dunk, every moment she stepped onto that familiar hardwood became a victory lap for resilience itself. Now, as she begins a new chapter with the Atlanta Dream after 11 transformative years in Phoenix, Griner remains what she's always been: not just one of the greatest players in WNBA history, but a reminder that true champions are defined as much by how they handle adversity as by the trophies they collect.

#3: Bernadett Határ (6'10")

At 6-foot-10, Bernadett Határ commands attention the moment she walks onto a basketball court. The Hungarian center is among the tallest players in WNBA history, and her towering presence has made her an intriguing prospect since she first arrived in the league. After initially signing with the Indiana Fever in 2020, injuries kept her sidelined for her first season. When she finally made her WNBA debut in 2021, fans got their first glimpse of what made scouts take notice of this athletic giant from across the Atlantic.
Határ's early WNBA journey has been marked by both promise and frustration. Her 2021 rookie season with Indiana was cut short after just seven games due to injury, limiting her ability to showcase the skills that made her a standout on international courts. Despite the setbacks, her natural shot-blocking instincts and ability to alter offensive schemes simply by standing in the paint demonstrated glimpses of her potential impact. When healthy, her combination of size, timing, and basketball IQ made her a legitimate threat in the post.
Looking for a fresh opportunity, Határ signed with the Connecticut Sun in July 2023 as a free agent, hoping to find more stability and playing time. While her WNBA career is still developing, her experience with the Hungarian national team and in European leagues has shown she possesses the fundamentals to succeed at the highest level. At this stage of her career, Határ represents the classic "what if" scenario – a player whose physical gifts are undeniable, but whose true ceiling remains to be discovered as she continues working to stay healthy and find her rhythm in the world's premier women's basketball league.

#2: Han Xu (6'10")

Standing at 6-foot-10, Han Xu carries herself with a quiet confidence that belies her towering frame. When the New York Liberty selected the 19-year-old Chinese center with the 14th pick in the 2019 draft, they weren't just getting one of the tallest players in WNBA history – they were investing in a young woman who would become the second-tallest player the league has ever seen, trailing only the legendary Margo Dydek. What makes Han special isn't just her height, but how gracefully she moves despite it, gliding across the court with a fluidity that seems to defy physics.
Han's game breaks the traditional mold of what fans expect from a player her size. While most centers of her stature camp out in the paint, she's equally comfortable stepping beyond the three-point line, where she's proven to be a legitimate threat. Her 44.4% three-point shooting percentage in 2022 wasn't just impressive for a center – it was impressive, period. She holds the Liberty franchise record for consecutive field goals made, going a perfect 10-for-10 in a stretch that showcased her soft touch and basketball intelligence. When she's on the court, opposing defenses face an impossible choice: stay close and risk getting beaten by her length in the post, or give her space and watch her knock down shots from distance.
Back home in China, Han Xu has become more than just a basketball player – she's a symbol of possibility. Her success in the WNBA has inspired a generation of young Chinese athletes who see her as proof that their dreams can reach across oceans. While she's still finding her rhythm and consistency in the league, the flashes of brilliance she's shown suggest that her best days may still be ahead. In a sport that's constantly evolving, Han represents the future of the center position: tall enough to dominate inside, skilled enough to step outside, and smart enough to adapt to whatever the game demands of her.

#1: Margo Dydek (7'2")

When Małgorzata "Margo" Dydek first stepped onto an American basketball court, the silence was deafening. At 7 feet 2 inches tall, she wasn't just another foreign import; she was a young woman from Poland who would become the tallest WNBA player of all time. More than just a stat, that title—tallest player in WNBA history came with immense opportunity and just as much pressure. Behind her towering frame was someone who spoke softly, laughed easily, and carried herself with a humility that endeared her to everyone she met. When the Utah Starzz made her the first overall pick in the 1998 WNBA Draft, they were betting on more than just her height; they were investing in a person who would transform how the world viewed women's basketball. Fans and teammates quickly fell in love with "Large Marge," a nickname that captured both her physical presence and the big heart that made her so much more than just a basketball player.
Basketball came naturally to Margo, but it was her basketball IQ that separated her from other tall players who relied solely on their size. She didn't just swat shots away wildly; she studied opponents, anticipated their moves, and positioned herself like a chess master thinking three steps ahead. Leading the league in blocks a record nine times wasn't just about being the tallest WNBA player ever; it was about understanding the rhythm of the game and knowing exactly when to make her presence felt. Her teammates often marveled at how someone so physically imposing could be so gentle during practice, yet transform into an intimidating force the moment the game began. Throughout her career with Utah, San Antonio, Connecticut Sun, and Los Angeles, she proved that the tallest player in WNBA history could also be one of the smartest.
Margo's story became one of inspiration, showing young girls around the world that being different wasn't something to hide from, but something to embrace. When she tragically passed away in 2011 at just 37 years old, the basketball world lost more than a record-holder, they lost a trailblazer who had shown that greatness comes from character as much as physical gifts. Her legacy lives on in every tall girl who steps onto a basketball court with confidence, knowing that the path was paved by someone who understood their struggles. While debates continue about who the tallest WNBA player currently is among active players, Margo's impact transcends statistics. In 2019, she was posthumously inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame, and in 2020, Guinness World Records officially recognized what basketball fans had always known, that she was the tallest player in WNBA history, and so much more than that number could ever represent.