The Best 7’0″ NBA Players of ALL TIME

In this post, we take a look at the best players in NBA history that are listed at exactly 7’0″ tall (approximately 2.13m tall).

The list includes some MVPs; and some of the best international players ever (i.e. non-American). Each all-time great 7’0 player was either a power forward, or center.

In order by seasons played, the five best 7 foot 0 inch NBA players of ALL TIME are:

• Dirk Nowitzki
• Pau Gasol
• Hakeem Olajuwon
• Patrick Ewing
• Joel Embiid *

(* indicates currently active player)

Read on for a detailed description of each player, and more:

Pau Gasol, PF/C

Pau Gasol was one of the top power forwards of the past 20 years, and is widely recognized as one of the best international players of all time.

He is best remembered for his early years as a young star on the Memphis Grizzlies, and then winning multiple championships with the LA Lakers (teamed up with Kobe Bryant).

Gasol’s NBA career spanned 18 NBA seasons (2001-2019), with five different teams (Memphis, LA Lakers, Chicago, San Antonio, Milwaukee). He averaged double digit scoring in 16 straight seasons, and has career averages of 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.

Some of Gasol’s NBA achievements includes: 2x NBA Champ; 4x All-NBA Team (2x Second, 2x Third); 6x All-Star; Rookie of the Year; All-Rookie First Team.

Gasol also won multiple international medals with the Spanish national team, including: two Olympic silver medals (2008, 2012), one Olympic bronze (2016), and a World Cup gold medal (2006).

Good genes: Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol are the only brothers to ever play together in an NBA All-Star Game (2015).

*Note: Pau Gasol might actually be 7’1″, but I’m going to leave him on this list

Hakeem Olajuwon, PF/C

Hakeem Olajuwon, a.k.a. “The Dream“, is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time, and is arguably the single best center of the 90s.

He is best remembered for his fluid offensive game, and his patented “Dream Shake” post moves. While most centers of the time were big over-powering bruisers, Olajuwon would often outmatch opponents with his speed, finesse, agility, footwork, and shooting touch.

Olajuwon was also an elite defender. He is one of the few players to win both an MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award. He finished his career averaging over 3 blocks per game, and 1.7 steals per game. He is also the only player in NBA history to record 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season (1988-89). Olajuwon still holds records for the most steals by a center (career and single season).

Olajuwon played 18 seasons in the NBA (1984-2002), with two teams (Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors).

A list of Olajuwon’s NBA career achievements includes: 2x NBA Champ; 2x Finals MVP; MVP (Regular Season); 12x All-Star; 12x All-NBA Team (6x First, 3x Second, 3x Third); 2x DPOY; 9x All-Defensive Team (5x First, 4x Second); All-Rookie First Team; 2x Rebounding leader; 3x Blocks leader; and member of NBA anniversary teams (50th, 75th).

He is the only player to win MVP, DPOY, and Finals MVP in the same season (1993-1994).

Olajuwon also won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Olajuwon is the first great international star of the NBA. Before becoming an American citizen (1993), he was the first non-American to become an All-Star, win MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year.

⚽️ Fast learner: Olajuwon played soccer/football as a kid. He did not play basketball until he was 15. After only playing basketball for 2 years, he was recruited to play at the University of Houston. That means he made the NBA after playing basketball for only 6-7 years!

Patrick Ewing, C

Patrick Ewing is widely recognized as one of the best centers of the modern NBA, and one of the greatest New York Knicks ever.

He played 17 seasons in the NBA (1985 – 2022) for three different teams (New York, Seattle, Orlando).

Ewing was a tremendous scorer, rebounder, and defender. He averaged a 20/10 double-double (points/rebounds) for 9 straight seasons, and scored over 20 points per game for 13 straight seasons. He also blocked over 2 shots per game for 14 straight seasons!

A list of Ewing’s NBA achievements includes: 7x All-NBA Team (1x First, 6x Second); 11x All-Star; 3x All-Defensive Second Team; Rookie of the Year; All-Rookie Team; and member of NBA annivesary team (50th, 75th).

He would have probably achieved much more, but was often overshadowed by other all-time great centers like Hakeem Olajuwon (above), David Robinson, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Ewing also won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA — 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (as a college player), and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics (with the “Dream Team”).

🗽 Greatest Knick Ever? Ewing is the only player to play over 1000 games with the New York Knicks. He also holds multiple New York Knick franchise records including: most points, FGs, free throws, rebounds, blocks, steals, and minutes played!

Joel Embiid, C

Joel Embiid, a.k.a. “The Process”, is arguably the most dominant offensive force currently in the NBA. He is also the only current player on this all-time great list.

Embiid’s size and strength, combined with his great footwork and incredible shooting touch makes him a nearly unguardable player. The only thing that has been able to slow him down in the past is injuries.

Embiid is currently in his 8th NBA season (2016-present), all with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Since missing his first couple seasons with injuries, Embiid has improved each and every year. He won MVP in 2022-2023, and this past season (2023-2024), he averaged a career high 34 points and 5.6 assists per game.

Some of Embiid’s other NBA achievements so far include: MVP (2023), 7x All-Star, 5x All-NBA Team (1x First Team, 4x Second Team), 3x All-Defensive Second Team, 2x Scoring Champ, All-Rookie First Team (2017).

Embiid is currently 30 years old, and in the prime of his career. If he can stay healthy, we should see him battling for more MVPs with rival big men Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo .

🇨🇲🇫🇷🇺🇸 Man of the World: Embiid is a citizen of Cameroon (his birthplace); France; and the United States. He decided to play for the USA national team, because his son was born as an American.

Some Other Notable 7’0″ NBA Players

Besides the all-time greats detailed above, there have been a ton of other notable 7’0″ players in NBA history.

The list below includes former All-Stars, champions, and a Defensive Player of the Year award winner (i.e. Tyson Chandler).

In order by seasons played, some other notable former/current 7’0″ players include:

• Kevin Willis
• Tyson Chandler
• JaVale McGee*
• Alton Lister
• Bill Wennington
• Brook Lopez* (and his bro’ Robin Lopez*)
• Andrew Bogut
• Karl-Anthony Towns*

(* still playing in the NBA)

Don’t agree with my choices? Did I miss any of your favorite players? Let me know in the comments below.

Best Current 7’0″ NBA Players

The are currently 20 players in the NBA that are listed at 7’0″ tall. The best current players are:

• Joel Embiid
• Lauri Markkanen
• Karl-Anthony Towns

Embiid is also on the all time list above.

👉 Click here for a complete list of all 7’0 players currently in the NBA

Other All-Time Players by Height

Check out these lists of other all-time great NBA players by height (i.e. 6’9, 6’10, etc.)

Summary

Who is your favorite 7’0″ NBA player of all time? Favorite current 7’0 player?

Did I miss any notable players on this list?

Let me know in the comments below!