You’ve seen it. Maybe it was on your Instagram feed back in 2015, or perhaps it popped up again last week as a meme on X (formerly Twitter). It’s that one picture where Yao Ming looks like a literal mountain, Shaquille O'Neal looks like a "normal-sized" guy, and Kevin Hart looks like a toddler standing at their feet.
It’s hilarious. It’s iconic. But is it actually real?
People have been debating the physics of this photo for over a decade. Honestly, the math doesn't seem to add up when you look at it. Shaq is a giant. We know this. Yao is even bigger. But Kevin Hart looks like he belongs in a different zip code. Let’s get into the weeds of what’s actually going on with the Kevin Hart Shaq and Yao Ming height comparison.
The Viral Photo: Fact vs. Photoshop
Here is the truth: the most famous version of this trio—the one where they are all standing in a row in a black-and-white or high-contrast filter—is a fake.
Well, "fake" is a strong word. It's a composite. In 2025, Shaq finally came clean during an interview with BeatBox, admitted that while he and Yao were actually in the original shot together, he was the one who personally photoshopped Kevin Hart into the frame. He did it for the laughs. And boy, did it work.
If you look at the original, unedited photo of just Yao and Shaq, you’ll see the real power dynamic. Yao Ming stands at 7'6". Shaq is 7'1". Even without Hart in the picture, Yao makes the "Big Aristotle" look surprisingly human.
Why we all fell for it
The reason the photoshop worked so well is that Kevin Hart's height is already the world’s favorite punchline. Kevin usually says he’s 5'4", though he admitted on 60 Minutes in 2024 that he’s closer to 5'2" or 5'5" depending on the sneaker.
When you put a 5-foot-something guy next to a 7'6" guy, the perspective is already going to be jarring. Shaq just dialed it up to an eleven.
👉 See also: Why HAIM is Still the Best Case Study for Modern Rock Longevity
The Real Numbers: Breaking Down the Heights
To understand why this image broke the internet, you have to look at the sheer scale of these humans.
- Yao Ming: 7 feet 6 inches (229 cm)
- Shaquille O'Neal: 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm)
- Kevin Hart: ~5 feet 4 inches (163 cm)
Basically, Yao Ming is a full foot and two inches taller than the average American male. Shaq, who is famous for being the most physically dominant force in NBA history, is still five inches shorter than Yao.
When Shaq and Yao played against each other, it was one of the few times in Shaq’s life he actually had to look up. Shaq has often said that Yao was the first person to block his shot three times in a row. There was a genuine respect there because, for once, Shaq wasn't the biggest guy in the room.
Kevin Hart’s "Short" Reality
Kevin Hart isn't actually that short in the grand scheme of humanity. He’s just short for a celebrity who constantly hangs out with NBA players.
He’s made a career out of it. He’s stood next to The Rock (6'5"), LeBron James (6'9"), and Joel Embiid (7'0"). Every time he does, the internet gets a new meme. But the Kevin Hart Shaq and Yao Ming trio remains the "final boss" of height comparisons.
The Friendship and the Pranks
This isn't just about height; it’s about a long-running comedy bit. Shaq and Kevin Hart have been "frenemies" since at least 2009. Hart headlined Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam, and they’ve been roasting each other ever since.
✨ Don't miss: Jesse Eisenberg and Now You See Me: Why Danny Atlas is Still His Best Role
During the 2025 NBA All-Star weekend, Hart spent half the night making Shaq the butt of the joke. Shaq’s retaliation? Usually, it's just picking Kevin up like a bag of groceries or posting another photoshopped image where Kevin is the size of a keychain.
The Yao Factor
Yao Ming is the quiet variable in all this. He’s not a comedian, and he’s not a professional troller like Shaq. However, his presence provides the "scale" that makes the comedy work.
There is a real photo of Yao and Shaq from a 2014 trip to China. In that photo, they are sitting together, and Yao still towers over him. The proportions of Yao’s frame are so massive that he makes other professional athletes look like fans who won a contest to meet him.
Why This Image Still Trends in 2026
We live in an era of AI and deepfakes, but there’s something "low-fi" and charming about the Shaq-Hart-Yao obsession. It’s a visual representation of how diverse the human body can be.
It’s also about the "Big Guy/Little Guy" trope that has existed in comedy since the beginning of time. Think Laurel and Hardy, but with more basketball rings and multi-million dollar stand-up specials.
What most people get wrong
The biggest misconception is that the trio actually stood for that specific photo together in a studio. They didn't.
While Hart has met Shaq dozens of times, and Shaq has met Yao dozens of times, the three-way meeting that produced the "toddler" meme was a digital creation.
Actionable Takeaways: How to Spot a Fake
If you’re looking at a viral height comparison and wondering if it's legit, keep these "pro-expert" tips in mind:
- Check the Floor: In the viral Hart/Shaq/Yao photo, the shadows around Kevin Hart’s feet don't quite match the light source hitting Yao’s head. Lighting is the hardest thing to fake in Photoshop.
- Look at the Proportions: Even at 5'4", Kevin Hart would reach roughly to the middle of Yao Ming’s chest. In the meme versions, he often barely reaches Yao’s waist. That’s a dead giveaway.
- The Shoulder Line: Look at where the shoulders of the person in the middle sit. If Shaq is 7'1" and Yao is 7'6", Shaq’s eyes should be roughly level with Yao’s chin. If Shaq looks significantly smaller, the image has been stretched.
The Kevin Hart Shaq and Yao Ming saga is a masterclass in how celebrities use their physical differences to stay relevant in the social media cycle. It doesn't matter that the photo is a photoshop; the vibe of the photo is 100% accurate.
🔗 Read more: Where Can I Watch Top Gun Maverick: Why It’s Not On Netflix
If you want to see the real deal, look up footage of the 2003 NBA All-Star game or the Hall of Fame inductions where Shaq and Yao shared the stage. The reality is almost as unbelievable as the memes.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Check out the original 2014 photo of Shaq and Yao in China to see the real height gap.
- Watch Kevin Hart’s 2024 60 Minutes interview where he finally "measures in" to clear up the 5'2" vs 5'5" debate.
- Look for the video of Yao Ming blocking Shaq’s shot three times—it’s a rare moment of Shaq being outmatched physically.