12 Tallest Women’s Basketball Players in History

This article was last updated by on

We all know how tall basketball players get, as tall as the men are in their category; want to know who the tallest women’s basketball player are? 

The tallest women player reaching over 7 feet, one could only wonder what they ingest to grow soo big.

One of the Tallest Basketball Player
One of the Tallest Women’s Basketball Players

So, without any further ado, let’s begin today’s ranking on the top ’12 Tallest Women’s Basketball Players in History.’

12 Tallest Women’s Basketball Player in History 2024

Our today’s article is based on the research done by Sports Virsa.

The article also contains some interesting facts about the tallest women’s basketball players, so make sure not to miss any. So, before we begin with the article, here’s a quick look at the ranking.

Rank Player Name Height
12 Astou Ndour-Fall 6’5”
11 Amanda Zahui B 6’5 ”
10 Sylvia Shaqueria Fowles 6’6”
9 Carolyn Moos 6’6”
8 Kara Wolters Drinan 6’7”
7 Katharen Ruth Mattera 6’7.5”
6 Elizabeth Cambage 6’8”
5 Lindsay Corine Taylor 6’8”
4 Maria Stepanova 6’8”
3 Zheng Haixia 6’8”
2 Brittney Griner 6’9”
1 Malgorzata Dydek 7’2”

 

12. Astou Ndour-Fall

Having been playing since 2014’s season, Astou Ndour-Fall is a Spanish pro basketball player for the Chicago Sky in the WNBA. Besides this, Astou represents her country on the international basketball team.

Having played in the WNBA for 8 seasons, Astou has been with 3 different teams (San Antonio Stars, Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings). 

Above all, Astou is considered one of the most reliable teammates since joining the WNBA as a second-round draft pick of the San Antonio Stars in 2014.

Despite never putting up big numbers on the stat sheet, she knows how to exploit her huge height which is 6 feet 5 inches.

Astou Ndour-Fall. (Source: Wikimedia)
Astou Ndour-Fall. (Source: Wikimedia)

And how can we forget her crucial role in the 2021 WNBA Championship, where she posted a career-high 4.8 rebounds per game. Aside from this, she had 6.8 points per game during her 2019 campaign.

Discover 12 Most Intelligent Athletes In Sports World>

11. Amanda Zahui B

Born in Sweden, Amanda Zahui B is a professional WNBA basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Zahui joined the WNBA pro league in the 2015 draft when Tulsa Shock picked her in the second pick. She has been with the WNBA for 7 seasons, out of which she has played for 3 different teams. 

Amanda Zahui B is wrapped in the Swedish flag
Amanda Zahui B is wrapped in the Swedish flag. (Source: Wikimedia)

Having played more than 197 games, she has never really lived up to her hype. However, Zahui having to be one of the tallest women’s basketball players in the world knows how to use her height advantage in the game.

Not to mention, Amanda stands 6 feet 5 inches tall.

Plus, let’s look at the numbers, too, looking at her scores, we can see that she is improving over time.

Go through Women’s Plus-size Ohio State Apparel to show off curves>

10. Sylvia Shaqueria Fowles

Born on October 6, 1985, Sylvia Shaquria Fowles is a professional player in the WNBA playing for the Minnesota Lynx.

How can we forget, she is the same player who hit the headlines for becoming the MVP of the 2015 WNBA Finals; this was her first year with them.

Later, during the 2016 season, she was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. This was her third time for this title. Following this, Fowles became the reigning WNBA career rebound leader in 2020.

Sylvia Shaqueria Fowles. (Source: Instagram)
Sylvia Shaqueria Fowles. (Source: Instagram)

But, most importantly, Fowles is one of the tallest women’s basketball players in the world. Plus, Fowles used her height (1.98 m) advantage in becoming the third player to dunk in an All-Star game (2009 WNBA All-Star game).

9. Carolyn Moos

American former basketball player for the WNBA, Carolyn Moos, is an absolute giant when it comes to height and size. 

With a height of 6’6”, Moos dominated in women’s basketball. Not to mention, she won the gold medal for the United States in Junior Olympics. In the WNBA, Moos used to play for Miami Sol. 

Other than this, Moos was remembered for being the woman who almost married the NBA’s first openly gay player Jason Collins. In other words, she was engaged to former NBA player Jason Collins.

Carolyn Moos. (Source: Instagram)
Carolyn Moos. (Source: Instagram)

After all, her career had to circulate around her height. Means it was her height that made her want to try basketball. This was how it all started.

Dive into Countries with Most LGBTQ+ Athletes in Beijing Olympics 2022>

8. Kara Wolters Drinan

Nicknamed “Big Girl,” Kara Wolters Drinan is a 6’7” former WNBA pro basketball player who was most notably known for her height. 

Besides, she is the tallest player on the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. After all, her height landed her 8th spot in the tallest women’s basketball players ranking. 

Kara Wolters Drinan
Kara Wolters Drinan. (Source: Twitter)

Inducted to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017, Wolters dominated against other players.

Similarly, she also won a gold medal at the 2000 Olympics and another gold medal at the 1998 World Championships.

 Go through 12 Most Beautiful WNBA Players to Look for This Year>

7. Katharen Ruth Mattera

American college basketball coach and former WNBA player Katharen Ruth Mattera is one of the tallest women’s basketball players globally. 

With a height of 6 feet 7.5 inches, Mattera is the 7th tallest player in the WNBA. 

Commonly known among teammates as Katie, Mattera began playing basketball at a young age. It was her height that made her join basketball and become a dominant player. 

Katie and her dog Kaiser
Katie and her dog Kaiser (Source: Wikimedia)

In addition, Mattera was also a three-time South Big Conference Player of the Year and the South Big Conference All-time leading shot blocker.

Currently, Mattera is serving as the head coach of the Cornerstone University women’s basketball team.

6. Elizabeth Cambage

Australian pro basketball star Elizabeth Cambage is one of the prettiest and tallest women’s basketball players in the WNBA. 

Ranked 6th in the list, Cambage plays for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA. Moreover, she holds the WNBA single-game scoring record with her 53-point performance.

In addition, Cambage played for the Australian national team, winning gold, silver, and bronze medal in the 2018  Commonwealth Games, 2018 World Cup, and 2012 Olympics.

Elizabeth Cambage
Elizabeth Cambage. (Source: Flickr)

However, like most tall women, Cambage was teased for her height throughout her school life. She had difficulty making friends. She would have never been here if it wasn’t for her mom’s advice to join the basketball team. 

To put on, Liz has a towering height of 6 feet 8 inches.

Explore Top 10 Toughest Sports in the World>

5.  Lindsay Corine Taylor

Born on May 20, 1981, Lindsay Corine Taylor is one of the tallest women’s basketball players in the WNBA. 

Taylor once said, “I have a bird’s eye view of everything on the basketball court.” Why wouldn’t she, for a 6’8” giant, everything’s a bird’s eye view. 

In addition, Taylor was the second-round pick of the Houston Comets during the 2005 WNBA draft.

Lindsay Corine Taylor. (Source: Wikimedia)
Lindsay Corine Taylor. (Source: Wikimedia)

Although having a short period in the WNBA, Taylor went on to play for four teams. Later, after retiring from the WNBA, Taylor went on to play in the KBSL, LFB, WKBL, Polish Women’s League, WCBA, and Angola Women’s Basketball League.

4. Maria Stepanova

Former player of the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA, Maria Stepanova, is a Russian professional basketball player who also plays in the Olympics. 

Talking about her height, Stepanova stands tall at the height of 6’8”. This is the reason why she is the 4th tallest women’s basketball player in the world. 

Maria Stepanova (Source: Flickr)
Maria Stepanova (Source: Flickr)

However, just like most tall girls, Stepanova used to get teased by her peers during childhood. She used to be called giraffe and ostrich.

But, who knew, the same giraffe/ostrich would go on to be one of the most dominant basketball players in the world. 

Following this, She is a three-time Russian Female Basketball Player of the Year and a three-time FIBA Europe Women’s Player of the Year. 

3. Zheng Haixia

Zhèng Hǎixiá or Zheng Haixia is a retired Chinese professional women’s basketball player who played in the WNBA and the China women’s national basketball team between 1983 and 1998.

Furthermore, she began her international career in China in 1983. This was when she joined the Basketball World Championship and came third. As a result, Haixia managed to secure a spot on the Chinese basketball national team. 

Zheng Haixia. (Source: Chinadaily)
Zheng Haixia. (Source: Chinadaily)

Following this, in 1986, Haixia went on to led the team to 2nd position in the World Championship. Needless to say, she played a big part in helping the Chinese team win the silver award during the Barcelona Olympics.

Standing at the height of 6’8”, this giant Chinese legend did a lot for the Chinese basketball scenario.

2. Brittney Griner

Standing at the height of 6 feet 9 inches, Brittney Griner is an American pro basketball player at the WNBA for the Phoenix Mercury.

Above all, Griner is the only NCAA player to score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. Following this, Griner was named the AP Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

Brittney Griner. (Source: Wikimedia)
Brittney Griner. (Source: Wikimedia)

In addition, Griner was the nation’s No. 1 high school women’s basketball player, according to Rivals.com. As a result, she was drafted to the 2009 Phoenix Mercury All-American basketball team. 

Likewise, Griner received the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award in 2012.  Also, get a hold of her autobiography, ” In My Skin: My Life On and Off the Basketball Court.”

1. Malgorzata Dydek

Former Polish professional basketball player Malgorzata Dydek was the tallest women’s basketball player who ever stepped foot in the WNBA. 

In other words, Dydek was a 7 feet 2 inches giant who played in a center position for multiple teams in the WNBA and was a coach for the Northside Wizards in the Queensland Basketball League.

In addition, Dydek was the receiver of the Polish Gold Cross of Merit award (1999). She was also placed into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2019.

Nevertheless, before starting her career in the WNBA, Dydek played for numerous European teams from 1992 to 1998. 

Conclusion

When it comes to basketball, there is no doubt height plays a big role.

Not to mention, most of the top players in the league are the tallest ones. For a tall player, the sport of basketball is a sport in easy mode. 

But, do not get upset yet, because there are players in the NBA and WNBA who aren’t giants but still are the best of the best.  

Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah
Sanjib Sah is an engineer and content writer passionate about sports and athletics. With a background in engineering and a love for all things active, Sanjib brings a unique perspective to the world of sports writing. Whether he is covering the latest trends in sports technology or sharing tips on improving your game, Sanjib's words are always rooted in a deep appreciation for players' hard work and dedication everywhere. In his free time, you can find him hitting the courts or hitting the trails, always looking for new ways to challenge himself and improve his skills.

Related articles

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share article

Latest News