The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has been home to some of the most remarkable athletes in the world of women’s basketball.
As the league continues to evolve, so does the diversity of its players, showcasing a range of talents, skills, and physical attributes. In towering athleticism, certain players stand out as true giants on the court, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the WNBA.
In this height comparison exploration of the “Top 10 Tallest Female Basketball Players in WNBA History,” we delve into the lives and careers of exceptional athletes whose height set them apart and allowed them to dominate the game in their unique ways.
From formidable shot-blockers to skilled scorers, these women have left an enduring legacy beyond the stat sheet’s impressive numbers.
Join us on a journey through the heights of WNBA history as we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of these towering athletes who have played an instrumental role in shaping the league and inspiring future generations of basketball enthusiasts.
List of the Tallest Female Basketball Players
The 10 tallest women to play in the WNBA have all been at least 6’8″ tall, according to the league’s official website. Only three female basketball players have stood at 6’10” or above.
1. MALGORZATA DYDEK – HEIGHT: 7’2”
Dydek is the tallest female basketball players in WNBA history by a good margin. She is the only seven-footer to ever play for a WNBA team. Dydek, a native of Poland, was the first overall pick in the 1998 draft. Also check average height of NBA players.
Throughout her 11-year WNBA career, playing for three different franchises, Dydek became the league’s record holder with 877 blocks. Tragically, Dydek passed away in 2011 at just 37 years old, three years after retiring from the WNBA.
2. BERNADETTATAR – HEIGHT: 6’10”
Hatar, one of the tallest women’s basketball players of all time, has yet to see much success in the WN. Standing at nearly 6’11”, she only played seven games during the 2021 WNBA season for the Indiana Fever.
Hatar made her WNBA debut at 26 and has had more success in European basketball, leading her team to the EuroLeague finals in 2018.
3. HAN XU – HEIGHT: 6’10”
Xu is currently the tallest female basketball players and the third-tallest player in WNBA history. Hailing from China, she has been compared to the legendary Yao Ming due to her height and nationality.
Xu was drafted by the New York Liberty in 2019 but missed two seasons due to the pandemic. She was selected as part of the All-Star Five at the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
4. BRITTNEY GRINER – HEIGHT: 6’9″
Standing at 6’9″, Griner is widely regarded as one of the greatest female basketball players ever. During her nine seasons in the WNBA, she has earned eight All-Star selections and led the league in blocks eight times.
Griner’s height and athleticism have made her a dominant force on the court. She gained fame during her college years at Baylor and has been one of the most recognizable women’s athletes in the United States.
5. LIZ CAMBAGE – HEIGHT: 6’9”
Cambage, at 6’9″, is one of the five tallest female basketball players in WNBA history. She holds the record for the most points scored in a single WNBA game with 53.
Cambage has been an All-Star with four different WNBA teams and has consistently been one of the top players in the league since being drafted second overall in 2011.
6. MARIA STEPANOVA – HEIGHT: 6’8″
Stepanova just missed the mark for being one of the five tallest WNBA players. She played for the Phoenix Mercury from 1998 to 2001 and made a return to the team in 2005.
Stepanova had a successful career outside the WNBA, winning the FIBA Europe Women’s Player of the Year Award three times.
7. LINDSAY TAYLOR – HEIGHT: 6’8″
Taylor played the fewest games among the 10 tallest players in WNBA history. She appeared in only five games as a rookie for the Phoenix Mercury in 2004 and did not play for a WNBA team again. Taylor found success playing professional basketball overseas after her stint in the WNBA.
8. RAZIJA BRCANINOVIC – HEIGHT: 6’8″
Brcaninovic, born in Serbia before the WNBA’s inception, played only one season in the league. She averaged 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds in 30 games for the Detroit Shock 1998. Despite her height, Brcaninovic averaged fewer than one block per game.
9. ZHENG HAIXIA – HEIGHT: 6’8″
During the inaugural 1997 season, Haixia was the tallest and heaviest player in the WNBA, standing at 6’8″ and weighing 254 pounds. She played for the Los Angeles Sparks for two seasons, averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
10. KATIE MATTERA – HEIGHT: 6’8″
Born in the United States, Mattera is one of the tallest American women to play in the WNBA. She was the eighth overall pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft and played in 150 career games, averaging 6.7 points.
Mattera’s WNBA career ended in 2009 after playing for multiple teams. She had a successful college career at Liberty University, where she was known for her field goal percentage.
Final Note
As we conclude our exploration of the “Top 10 Tallest Female Basketball Players in WNBA History,” it becomes evident that height alone does not define success in the league.
Each player brought a unique blend of skills, determination, and resilience to the court, captivating fans and leaving an enduring legacy far beyond their playing days.
The stories of these extraordinary athletes inspire aspiring basketball players, emphasizing that greatness knows no height restrictions.
As the WNBA continues to evolve, we can look back at the contributions of these towering women with admiration, recognizing their pivotal roles in shaping the league and inspiring future generations to reach new heights in the world of women’s basketball.
The legacy of these top 10 tallest female players stands tall, a testament to the diversity and excellence that defines the rich tapestry of the WNBA.
