Honestly, the sight of a player who can look down at a WNBA rim is still one of the most jarring, beautiful things in sports. For decades, "tall" in the women’s game meant 6'5". If you were 6'8", you were a unicorn. But right now, in 2026, we are watching a massive shift. The ceiling is literally rising.
We aren't just talking about height for the sake of height anymore. The new generation of tall women basketball players is moving differently. They aren't just stationary targets in the paint waiting for a lob. They’re handling the rock. They're shooting treys.
Take a look at the headlines from this month. Zhang Ziyu, the 18-year-old phenom from China, is currently destroying professional defenses in the WCBA. She stands at a staggering 7'3" (some reports even whisper 7'4" or 7'5"). Just last week, on January 13, 2026, she went up against WNBA star Kamilla Cardoso and held her own with 10 points and 3 blocks in just 14 minutes. That’s the kind of physical dominance that changes how a coach has to think about the entire court.
The Legend of Margo Dydek and the 7-Foot Barrier
You can't talk about height in this sport without mentioning Malgorzata "Margo" Dydek. For the longest time, she was the north star for every tall girl with a basketball. Standing 7'2", the Polish center wasn't just a novelty; she was a defensive nightmare. She still holds the WNBA record for career blocks with 877.
Margo was the only true seven-footer the WNBA had seen for a quarter-century. After she retired in 2008, the league got smaller for a bit. It got faster. People started wondering if the era of the "true giant" was over.
They were wrong.
It turns out we were just waiting for the next wave of athletes who grew up with better training and specialized nutrition. We’re seeing it now in college ball. Texas Tech just made waves earlier this month by signing Stephanie Okechukwu, a 7'1" center from Nigeria. Coach Krista Gerlich isn't just excited about her height; she’s talking about her story, her joy, and her ability to speak three languages. This isn't just about being a "big." It’s about being a complete human who happens to be taller than everyone else in the building.
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The Physics of Being 6'10" and Up
Being that tall is sort of a double-edged sword. On one hand, you have a "higher release point." Basically, if you’re 6'11" like Han Xu, you don't really have to worry about people blocking your jumper. You’re shooting over them.
On the flip side, the "plodding big" is a real risk. If you can't move your feet, modern offenses will just pull you into a high pick-and-roll and run you into the ground. It’s why players like Han Xu are so vital to the modern game. Han is currently playing for the Perth Lynx in Australia for the 2025-26 season. She’s 6'11", but she moves like a wing. She’s got a soft touch from the outside. She’s not just a wall; she’s a weapon.
Why Tall Women Basketball Players Still Get Underestimated
It’s weird, but people often assume that if you’re 6'9" or taller, the game is "easy." That’s a total myth.
Think about the sheer physical toll. Your joints take a beating. Your sneakers? Brittney Griner wears a men's size 17. Finding gear that fits, finding trainers who understand the biomechanics of a 7-foot frame—it’s a lot.
- The Mobility Gap: Opponents often try to "run them off the floor." If a team plays a fast-paced transition game, a massive center might get gassed by the second quarter.
- The Foul Trouble Trap: When you’re that big, smaller guards will literally run into you just to draw a whistle. It happens all the time to players like Teaira McCowan (6'7") or Bernadett Határ (6'10").
- Leverage: Being taller means your center of gravity is higher. If a shorter, stronger player gets low and pushes you out of the paint, your height doesn't matter as much as your core strength.
Current Leaders in Height (Active and All-Time)
To give you an idea of the landscape right now, here is how the "Tallest Ever" list is looking as we move through 2026.
Zhang Ziyu is the undisputed queen of the mountain at 7'3". She’s young, she’s in China, and the WNBA is already salivating at the thought of her 2027 draft eligibility.
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Margo Dydek follows at 7'2", the gold standard for WNBA dominance.
Then we have the new college sensation, Stephanie Okechukwu at 7'1".
Rounding out the active professional elite are Han Xu (6'11") and Bernadett Határ (6'10").
Brittney Griner, at 6'9", remains the most "athletic" of the extreme-height group, proving that you can be nearly seven feet tall and still have the bounce to dunk in traffic.
The Strategy: How to Use a Giant
If you’re coaching a team with one of these tall women basketball players, your whole philosophy changes. You aren't just running "horns" or "motion." You are playing a game of gravity.
When Zhang Ziyu is on the floor, the defense has to collapse. They have no choice. That leaves shooters wide open on the perimeter. It’s a "force multiplier." Even if she isn't scoring, her presence creates space.
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But it has to be the right fit. We saw this with Bernadett Határ. She’s 6'10" and incredibly skilled, but injuries and the pace of the WNBA made it hard for her to find a permanent home for a while. It’s not just about being tall; it’s about being available and being able to sprint for 30 minutes.
The Myth of the "Female Yao Ming"
Everyone loves to call Han Xu or Zhang Ziyu the "female Yao Ming." It’s an easy comparison, but it’s kinda lazy. Han Xu has her own identity. She’s a two-time WCBA MVP and a Commissioner’s Cup champ with the New York Liberty. She’s a 25-year-old vet who has played on the world’s biggest stages, from Tokyo to Paris.
Labeling these women as "the female version" of male players misses the nuance of their game. The women's ball is slightly smaller (Size 6 vs. Size 7). This allows players with larger hands to have incredible control, leading to high shooting percentages. In fact, research shows that height in the women’s game is a stronger predictor of success than it is in the men’s game. Every centimeter counts more when the average player height is lower.
What’s Next for the 7-Footers?
We are heading toward a collision course. Within the next 24 months, we could see a WNBA floor that features multiple players over 6'11" at the same time. Imagine a matchup between a veteran Brittney Griner and a rookie Zhang Ziyu.
The league is expanding. More teams mean more roster spots for specialized "bigs."
If you're a young, tall player looking to make it, here’s the reality: height gets you in the door, but your "feet" keep you in the room. You have to be able to guard the perimeter. You have to be able to pass out of a double team.
Actionable Insights for the Future:
- Watch the WCBA: If you want to see the future of the sport, keep an eye on the Shandong Six Stars. Zhang Ziyu is putting on a clinic every week.
- Track Stephanie Okechukwu: See how her game translates to the Big 12. If she can handle the physicality of American college ball, she’s a lock for the WNBA.
- Focus on Lateral Agility: For the tall athletes reading this, your value triples if you can slide your feet. The era of the "static center" is dead; the era of the "mobile giant" is here.
This isn't just about a growth spurt. It’s about a sport that has finally figured out how to nurture and utilize the most unique athletes on the planet. The rim doesn't feel quite so high anymore.