Tallest WNBA player (ever)

The tallest WNBA player is Margo Dydek (Poland, d. 27 May 2011), who measures 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in), as of 24 July 2020.

Małgorzata (Margo) Dydek was drafted 1st overall in the 1998 WNBA draft by the Utah Starzz. Throughout her career she also played for the Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks franchises, before retiring in 2008.

By the start of the 2020 WNBA season in July 2020, no taller player had featured in the league.

Dydek was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2019.

FIBA Hall of Famer Margo Dydek is remembered as one of the most distinctive figures in basketball history, not just for her skills and on-field achievements, but also for her towering 7-foot-2 stature.

Early life 

Dydek was born in Warsaw, Poland. Her father was 6’7” and her mother was 6’3”, which contributed to her exceptional height. As a child, she experienced rapid growth spurts, reportedly reaching 6’3” by the age of 12. This was the same for her two sisters – both of whom also played high-level basketball, but never made the WNBA. 

Her height became a defining aspect of her life early on and presented both opportunities and challenges. She often faced difficulties related to physical coordination during her childhood, but as she adjusted to her stature, basketball became a natural fit. Encouraged by her family and coaches, Dydek began playing basketball in her pre-teen years and quickly demonstrated potential to one day turn pro. 

Her height and developing skills made her stand out on the court. Coaches in Poland recognized her talent, and she began training more seriously. By her teenage years, she was competing against older and more experienced players, marking the start of her basketball career. 

During her youth, Dydek height not only set her apart but also required her to adapt her playing style. While she had a natural advantage on the court due to her size, she also needed to work on fundamental skills to keep up with faster and more agile players. Coaches emphasized footwork, balance, and timing to complement her height. These skills were crucial in her development as a dominant center (one of the five positions in a basketball team). 

Dydek’s early recognition as a basketball player led to opportunities to compete in leagues in Europe and at age-capped international level. Her ability to block shots, control rebounds, and impact games defensively earned her strong attention from scouts.

Transition to professional basketball 

Unlike many WNBA players, Margo Dydek did not attend college in the United States. Instead, her professional basketball career began in Europe, where she played for teams in Poland, France and Spain. These leagues were competitive and provided her with the opportunity to further develop her skills against high-level opponents. 

Her height played a significant role in her recruitment. Coaches and team management saw her as a valuable asset due to her size, which allowed her to dominate under the rim. She became known for her shot-blocking ability, rebounding, and overall defensive presence. 

It wasn’t long before her success in Europe brought international recognition. By the mid-1990s, she was regarded as one of the most promising centers in women’s basketball and caught the attention of scouts from the newly established Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the United States.

In 1998, at the age of 23, Dydek entered the WNBA draft, and was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Utah Starzz. The league featured a faster pace of play and more physically demanding competition than the European leagues she had previously competed in, however, her height and skill set allowed her to adapt and quickly establish herself as a key player in the league. 

She averaged 12.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in her rookie season, while setting a WNBA record for blocked shots in a season with 114, which stood until 2014.

WNBA career 

Dydek played in the WNBA from 1998 to 2008, during which she established herself as one of the league’s most dominant defensive players. Unsurprisingly, her height was a defining feature of her playing style, making her a force in shot-blocking, rebounding, and controlling the paint. 

Over her 11-season career, Dydek played for four teams: the Utah Starzz, San Antonio Silver Stars, Connecticut Sun, and Los Angeles Sparks. She led the league in blocked shots nine times and became the WNBA’s all-time leader in that category with 877 career blocks. Her ability to alter shots and protect the rim was unmatched, earning her a reputation as one of the best defensive players in the league’s history. 

Dydek’s offensive contributions, though less prominent than her defensive presence, were also notable. She averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds per game over her career, with her best scoring production coming in her debut season in 1998. 

In 2005, Dydek helped lead the Connecticut Sun to the WNBA Finals, though the team fell short of winning the championship, eventually losing the series 3-1 to the Sacramento Monarchs. She earned two WNBA All-Star selections during her career and was consistently regarded as a cornerstone player for her teams. 

Dydek’s tall frame brought challenges, including injuries and physical strain, but her dedication allowed her to remain competitive. Her career left a lasting legacy in the WNBA, setting records and demonstrating the importance of height and defence in shaping the women’s game. She retired in 2008. 

Who are the other tallest players in WNBA history? 

1. Margo Dydek - 7'2" (218 cm) 

2. Bernadett Határ - 6'10" (208 cm) 

3. Han Xu - 6'10" (208 cm) 

4. Brittney Griner - 6'9" (206 cm) 

5. Liz Cambage - 6'9" (206 cm) 

6. Maria Stepanova - 6'8" (203 cm) 

7. Lindsay Taylor - 6'8" (203 cm) 

8. Razija Brčaninović - 6'8" (203 cm) 

9. Zheng Haixia - 6'8" (203 cm) 

10. Katie Mattera - 6'8" (203 cm) 

FUN FACT - the tallest player ever in the NBA is Gheorghe Muresan (Romania), at 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in). 

Cultural impact and legacy 

Margo Dydek’s career had a lasting impact on basketball. Her height made her a unique figure in the WNBA, and she became a role model for young athletes, particularly those who were exceptionally tall. Her success demonstrated that height could be an asset in sports, and she inspired others to embrace their physical characteristics. 

As an international player, Dydek also contributed to the globalization of the WNBA during the league’s early years. Her presence in the league helped increase visibility for international athletes, particularly from Europe, and helped it to reach a wider audience. She played a key role in showcasing the talent and potential of European players in women’s basketball. 

Margo passed away in 2011 at the age of 37 due to a heart attack. She was living in Brisbane, Australia, where she worked as a coach for the coach for the Northside Wizards in the Queensland Basketball League. 

In 2019 she was posthumously inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.