You’ve probably seen the photos. Victor Wembanyama standing next to a "normal" 6-foot-4 guard and looking like he’s from a different species. It’s a classic image. But when we talk about the biggest players in nba, we’re usually mixing up two very different things: height and sheer mass.
Size in the NBA isn't just a number on a draft combine sheet anymore. It's a weapon. Sometimes that weapon is a 7-foot-4 frame that can move like a ballerina, and other times it’s a 300-pound wall that nobody can move. Honestly, the league has never seen a collection of "giants" quite like the ones running the floor in 2026.
The Heights: Who Actually Wins the Vertical Battle?
If we're talking strictly about who’s closest to the rafters, the conversation starts and ends with Victor Wembanyama. Standing at a staggering 7-foot-5 (some official listings still hover at 7'4", but the tape doesn't lie when he's on the court), he’s the tallest active player. But he’s not "big" in the traditional sense. He’s lean. He’s built for the modern game where you have to cover 30 feet of space in two strides.
Then you have the rookies and sophomores making life miserable for everyone else. Zach Edey of the Memphis Grizzlies is right there at 7-foot-4. Unlike Wemby, Edey brings that "old school" bulk. Watching him post up is like watching a bulldozer try to park in a compact space. It's not pretty, but it’s incredibly effective.
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 7'5" – The undisputed ceiling of the league.
- Zach Edey (Grizzlies): 7'4" – Massive frame, legitimate post threat.
- Bol Bol (Suns): 7'3" – The son of Manute Bol, carrying on the "thin giant" legacy.
- Rocco Zikarsky (Timberwolves): 7'3" – The young Australian center who’s quickly becoming a defensive nightmare.
It’s easy to forget that Boban Marjanović used to hold this crown for years. While Boban is currently playing overseas (most recently with Fenerbahçe and now in the international circuit), his 7-foot-4, 290-pound ghost still haunts the "tallest" lists.
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Weight and Mass: The Real "Units" of the NBA
Height is great for blocking shots, but weight is what wins the rebounding battle. If you want to know who the biggest players in nba are by sheer gravity, you have to look at the scales.
Zach Edey currently tops the list as the heaviest player in the league, tipping the scales at 305 pounds. He is a literal mountain. When he sets a screen, defenders don't just go around it; they bounce off it.
Then there’s Jusuf Nurkić. Now with the Utah Jazz, the "Bosnian Beast" carries around 290 pounds. He’s the kind of guy who makes a 240-pound power forward look like a middle-schooler. And we can't ignore Nikola Jokić. The three-time MVP is listed around 284 pounds, but he uses every ounce of that weight to bully people in the paint before throwing a cross-court pass that doesn't seem physically possible.
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The Zion Factor
We have to talk about Zion Williamson. His weight has been the most discussed number in sports for years. He’s "only" 6-foot-6, which makes him short for a "big," but he’s hovered anywhere from 265 to over 285 pounds. In 2026, he’s noticeably leaner, but the force he generates is still unparalleled. He’s basically a bowling ball with a 40-inch vertical.
The Evolution of the "Big Man"
Being one of the biggest players in nba used to mean you stayed near the hoop, grabbed rebounds, and didn't touch the ball unless it was for a layup. That's dead.
Look at Chet Holmgren. He’s 7-foot-1, but he’s basically a shooting guard in a giant's body. Or Donovan Clingan in Portland, who’s 7-foot-2 and 280 pounds but still has to be mobile enough to switch onto guards in pick-and-roll situations.
The "skill gap" for big men has vanished. If you’re 7 feet tall today and you can't shoot or pass, you’re basically a bench ornament. Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder have proven that you can play "small" with tall players—long, wiry guys who can disrupt passing lanes without needing the 300-pound frame of a 1990s center.
Why Size Still Matters in 2026
Despite all the talk about "positionless basketball," you still can't coach height. When the playoffs hit, the game slows down. That's when guys like Joel Embiid (280 lbs) and Rudy Gobert (7'1") become the most important people on the floor.
The biggest players in nba provide something analytics can't always quantify: intimidation. When a 6-foot-3 guard drives into the lane and sees Brook Lopez (7'1", 282 lbs) waiting there, they usually turn around. It’s a psychological game as much as a physical one.
Practical Insights for Fans and Players
If you're watching the game today, don't just look at the height listed in the program. Look at how they use their mass.
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- Wingspan is the Secret Stat: Victor Wembanyama’s 8-foot wingspan is more important than his height. It allows him to block shots he shouldn't be able to reach.
- Lower Body Strength Wins: Players like Steven Adams (265 lbs) aren't the tallest, but their "functional mass" makes them impossible to box out.
- The "Big" Misconception: Being "big" doesn't mean being slow anymore. The biggest players in the league are now among the most conditioned athletes in the world.
Next time you see the Memphis Grizzlies or the San Antonio Spurs on TV, keep an eye on the mismatch. You’ll see exactly why the league is still a land of giants, even if those giants are now shooting step-back threes.
Keep an eye on the official NBA injury reports and team rosters for the most current weight fluctuations, as these "big" numbers change more often than you'd think during a grueling 82-game season.