There have been plenty of great players in NBA history that were 6’8″ tall (approximately 2.03m tall).
In no particular order, the best 6’8″ NBA players of ALL TIME are:
- Tracy McGrady
- Scottie Pippen
- Grant Hill
- Dominique Wilkins
- Spencer Haywood
- Dolph Schayes
- Alex English
- Jerry Lucas
Read on for a detailed description of each player, and more:
Tracy McGrady, SG/SF
Tracy McGrady, a.k.a. “T-Mac“, is one of the most talented and exciting players in NBA history. His career spanned over 16 NBA seasons with seven NBA teams (Toronto, Orlando, Houston, New York, Detroit, Atlanta, San Antonio).
At his peak (i.e. early-mid 2000s), T-Mac was arguably the best shooting guard in the league, rivalled only by Kobe Bryant (see best 6’6 players).
His height, length, athleticism, handles, and ability to score from anywhere on the court made T-Mac nearly impossible to guard.
Some of McGrady’s NBA career achievements include: 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team (2x First, 3x Second, 2x Third), 2x Scoring Champion, and Most Improved Player (2001).
In 2004, McGrady once scored 13 points in 33 seconds against the Spurs to complete one of the most memorable comebacks in NBA history.
Interesting: Tracy McGrady is the second cousin (once removed) of another NBA all-time great: Vince Carter (see Best 6’6 Players).
Scottie Pippen, SF
Scottie Pippen is one of the greatest defenders and most versatile players in NBA history. He is best remembered for winning 6 championships together with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
He played 17 seasons, with three different teams (Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers). He averaged double digit scoring in 15 of those seasons.
Some of Pippen’s other career achievements include: 6x NBA Champ, 7x All-Star, All-Star Game MVP (1994), 7x All-NBA Team (3x First, 2x Second, 2x Third), 10x All-Defensive Team (8x First, 2x Second), NBA steals leader (1995), member of 50th and 75th NBA anniversary teams.
Pippen also one two Olympic gold medals with Team USA (1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta).
Playoff Pip’: Pippen made the playoffs in 16 out of the 17 seasons he played in the NBA
Grant Hill, SF
Grant Hill is one of the greatest “what if” players in NBA history. He had the size, athleticism, IQ, and offensive/defensive skills to become an MVP type player.
He was already one of the best all around players in the league before injuries took away the prime of his career (from year 2000 on).
Despite the injuries, Hill still managed to have an impressive 18 year NBA career (1994-2013) with four different teams (Detroit, Orlando, Phoenix, LA Clippers).
Some of his NBA accomplishments include: 7x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team (1x First, 4x Second), Co-Rookie of the Year (1995), and All Rookie First Team (1995).
Hill also won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Grant Hill is also one of the greatest college players of all-time, winning two NCAA national championships with the Duke Blue Devils
Dominique Wilkins, SF
Dominique Wilkins, a.k.a. “the Human Highlight Reel”, was an incredible scorer, and one of the most athletic players to ever play in the NBA.
He is best remembered for his incredible leaping ability, and ferocious windmill dunks. He also averaged over 20 points per game for 12 straight seasons!
His NBA career spanned 16 seasons (1982-95; 96-97; 98-99) for 5 different NBA teams (Atlanta, LA Clippers, Boston, San Antonio, and Orlando).
His NBA career achievements include: 9x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Team (1x First, 4x Second, 2x Third), All-Rookie First Team, Scoring Champ (1986), 2x Slam Dunk Contest champ, and member of NBA 75th anniversary team.
Wilkins is easily the greatest Atlanta Hawk of all time, and holds the franchise record for seasons played (12), games played (882), minutes played (32,545), career points (23,292), and points per game average (26.4)
✈️ Euro trip: Wilkins left the NBA in the middle of his career to play 1 year in Greece (1995-1996), and then 1 year in Italy (1997-1998). He was also born in Paris.
Spencer Haywood, PF
Spencer Haywood was one of the great scorers and rebounders of the 1970s.
He averaged a ridiculous 30ppg and 19.5rpg as a rookie in his one year in the ABA (1970). After joining the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA, he averaged over 20 ppg and 10 rpg for 4 straight seasons.
Some of his ABA/NBA career achievements include: NBA Champ (1980), 4x NBA All-Star, 4x All-NBA Team (2x First, 2x Second), ABA MVP (1970), ABA All-Star (1970), ABA All-Star Game MVP, All-ABA First Team, ABA Rookie of the Year, ABA All-Rookie First Team, ABA scoring champ, ABA rebounding leader.
Haywood became addicted to cocaine in the late 70s which damaged his overall career. During this time, he still managed to win his only NBA championship (1979-1980) with the Lakers (though he was technically kicked off the team during the Finals).
Dolph Schayes, PF
Dolph Schayes was one of the early stars of the NBA. He played 15 seasons (1949-1964), all with the Syracuse/Philadelphia 76ers.
He was known for his rebounding and scoring, averaging a double-double in 11 seasons.
Schayes’ other NBA achievements include: NBA champ (1955), 12x All-Star, 12x All-NBA Team (6x First, 6x Second), Rebounding leader (1951).
In the 1963-64 season, Schayes was actually a player-coach for the team.
Alex English, SF
Alex English is one of the best pure scorers in NBA history. In fact, he scored the most points of any NBA player in the 1980s!
English’s NBA career spanned 16 seasons with four teams (Milwaukee, Indiana, Denver, Dallas). He is best remembered for his time with the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged over 20 points per game for 10 straight seasons.
Some of his other NBA achievements include: 8x NBA All-Star, 3x All-NBA Second Team, NBA Scoring Champ (1983).
English is also the first NBA player to score 2,000 points in eight straight seasons.
Jerry Lucas, PF
Jerry Lucas was an NBA star during the 1960s. He was known for his tremendous rebounding ability and as a dangerous scorer.
Lucas played 12 seasons for 3 teams (Cincinnati, San Francisco, New York).
He twice averaged over 20 points, and 20 rebounds per game for an entire season (1964-1966)!
Some of Lucas’ other NBA achievements include: NBA champ (1973), 7x All-Star, All-Star Game MVP (1965), 5x All-NBA Team (3x First, 2x Second), Rookie of the Year (1964), All-Rookie First Team (1964), and member of NBA anniversary teams (50th, 75th).
Lucas also won a gold medal with team USA at the 1960 Rome Olympics (as an amateur).
Some Other Notable 6’8 NBA Players
There have been a ton of other great 6’8″ players in NBA history.
Some other notable 6’8″ players (past or present) include :
- Kevin Love*
- Rudy Gay
- Boris Diaw
- Udonis Haslem
- Mike Miller
- Antawn Jamison
- Glen Rice
- Shane Battier
- Jalen Rose
- Wayne Embry
- Antoine Walker
- Jamal Mashburn
(* still playing in the NBA)
Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments below.
Best Current 6’8″ NBA Players
The are currently 54 players in the NBA that are listed at 6’8″ tall. The best current players are:
👉 Click here for a complete list of 6’8 players currently in the NBA
Other All-Time Players by Height
Check out these other lists of all-time great NBA players by height (i.e. 6’6, 6’7, etc.)
Summary
Who is your favorite 6’8″ NBA player of all time? Favorite current player?
Did I miss any notable players on this list?
Let me know in the comments below!
