Basketball is a sport where height can make a significant difference. It provides a distinct advantage when it comes to shooting, rebounding, and defending. In the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), there have been several exceptional players who have used their extraordinary height to their advantage.
This blog post takes a deep dive into the world of the tallest WNBA players, exploring their lives, careers, and the influence they’ve had on the game. So, brace yourselves as we embark on this journey to appreciate the ‘Towering Titans’ of the WNBA.
The 20 tallest WNBA players
Margo Dydek – 7’2″ (218 cm): Born in Poland, Margo Dydek is the tallest player in WNBA history. She played as a center for the Utah Starzz, San Antonio Silver Stars, and Connecticut Sun. Dydek was known for her superior blocking ability and significant court presence. She led the league in blocks nine times and remains the WNBA’s all-time leader in this category. Sadly, Dydek passed away in 2011, but her legacy continues to inspire many.
Zheng Haixia – 6’8″ (203 cm): Zheng Haixia, a Chinese player, joined the Los Angeles Sparks as a dominant center. Despite her brief stint in the WNBA, Haixia left a lasting impression. She was awarded the WNBA’s inaugural Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award in 1997. After her retirement, Haixia returned to China and contributed significantly to the development of basketball in her home country.
Liz Cambage – 6’8″ (203 cm): An Australian player, Liz Cambage has been a significant presence in the WNBA since she joined in 2011. Known for her scoring prowess, Cambage set a WNBA record by scoring 53 points in a game in 2018. She has played for the Tulsa Shock, Dallas Wings, and Las Vegas Aces. She’s a multiple-time All-Star and one of the most dominant centers in the league.
Maria Stepanova – 6’8″ (203 cm): Maria Stepanova is a Russian player who had short stints in the WNBA but made a significant impact. She played for the Phoenix Mercury and the Miami Sol. Although her WNBA career was brief, Stepanova had an illustrious career in Europe and is recognized as one of the most accomplished players in EuroLeague Women’s history.
Brittney Griner – 6’8″ (203 cm): Drafted first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2013, Brittney Griner quickly established herself as a premier player in the WNBA. Known for her shot-blocking ability, Griner has been a stalwart defensive presence in the league. She’s a multiple-time All-Star, a scoring champion, and has helped lead the Mercury to a WNBA Championship.
Heidi Burge – 6’7″ (201 cm): Heidi Burge was a versatile center who played for the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics in the late 1990s. Twin sister of another WNBA player, Heather Burge, Heidi made her mark with her rebounding skills and ability to clog the lane.
Heather Burge – 6’7″ (201 cm): Heather, like her twin sister Heidi, stood tall at 6’7″. She played a single season for the Sacramento Monarchs in 1998, where her height was a key advantage in both offensive and defensive plays.
Kara Wolters – 6’7″ (201 cm): Wolters, a center from the University of Connecticut, played in the WNBA for the Houston Comets, Sacramento Monarchs, and Indiana Fever. Known for her strong post moves and shot-blocking ability, Wolters was a prominent figure on the court.
Iva Perovanovic – 6’7″ (201 cm): A player from Montenegro, Perovanovic played for the Minnesota Lynx in 2008. Though her WNBA stint was brief, her imposing height and excellent rebounding ability made her a formidable opponent.
Lindsay Taylor – 6’7″ (201 cm): Taylor was a powerful center for the Phoenix Mercury and Houston Comets. Despite her short WNBA career, she left her mark with her shot-blocking ability and strong presence in the paint.
Katie Feenstra-Mattera – 6’7″ (201 cm): Known professionally as Katie Feenstra when she played in the WNBA, she was a dominant center for the San Antonio Silver Stars and Atlanta Dream. Her size and ability to control the paint made her a significant player during her time in the league.
Erika de Souza – 6’7″ (201 cm): A Brazilian player, de Souza played for the Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, and several other teams in her long WNBA career. Known for her rebounding and scoring ability, de Souza was a consistent presence in the paint.
Suzy Batkovic – 6’7″ (201 cm): Batkovic, an Australian player, had brief stints with the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury. Though her WNBA career was short, Batkovic had a successful international career, including multiple championships in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia.
Tangela Smith – 6’7″ (201 cm): Smith had a long, successful career in the WNBA playing for numerous teams including the Sacramento Monarchs and Phoenix Mercury. Known for her versatility and scoring ability, Smith was a key player in the Mercury’s 2007 and 2009 championship teams.
Courtney Paris – 6’7″ (201 cm): Paris, a former University of Oklahoma standout, played for several WNBA teams including the Sacramento Monarchs and Dallas Wings. Known for her rebounding prowess, Paris led the league in total rebounds in 2015.
Kelly Schumacher – 6’7″ (201 cm): Canadian born Kelly Schumacher played as a center for Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, and Phoenix Mercury. A UConn alumnus, Schumacher was known for her staunch defensive style, blocking ability, and overall versatility on the court. She contributed significantly to Indiana Fever’s 2002 playoff run and had a notable influence during her time with the Mercury. Her international experience, including a gold medal win with Team Canada in the 1995 Jones Cup, added to her seasoned gameplay in the WNBA.
Alison Bales – 6’7″ (201 cm): Alison Bales, a former Duke University standout, played for the Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury. During her three seasons in the WNBA, she showcased her skills as a robust center, particularly with her blocking ability. Bales holds the record for the most blocks in a single NCAA tournament game, a testament to her defensive prowess. Despite a relatively short WNBA career, her time on the court was marked by her height advantage and significant contributions to team defense.
Brittany Hunter – 6’7″ (201 cm): Brittany Hunter was a center for the Connecticut Sun. A graduate from the University of Connecticut, Hunter was part of the NCAA championship team in 2009. Despite battling knee injuries throughout her career, she made a significant impact during her time in the WNBA with her ability to score and rebound. Her height advantage combined with her tenacity and resilience made her a force to reckon with on the court.
Nicole Ohlde – 6’7″ (201 cm): Nicole Ohlde, a Kansas State University alumna, played for the Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury. As a center and forward, she was known for her scoring ability, rebounding skills, and efficiency in the paint. Ohlde was a key contributor to Phoenix Mercury’s championship win in 2009. Her height, combined with her skill set, made her a formidable opponent on the court.
Janel McCarville – 6’7″ (201 cm): Janel McCarville, a University of Minnesota alumna, played for several teams in the WNBA, including the Charlotte Sting, New York Liberty, and Minnesota Lynx. Known for her incredible passing ability for a center, McCarville was instrumental in the Lynx’s 2013 championship season. Her height, combined with her excellent court vision, made her a unique and valuable player in the WNBA.
Who is the tallest girl in the WNBA right now?
The tallest player in the WNBA is Australian center Liz Cambage, standing at an impressive 6’8″ (203 cm). Cambage has been a significant figure in the league since her debut in 2011, playing for teams such as the Tulsa Shock, Dallas Wings, and Las Vegas Aces.
Her height, combined with her scoring ability and rebounding skills, gives her a notable advantage on the court. In 2018, Cambage set a WNBA record by scoring 53 points in a single game, showcasing her offensive prowess. However, please verify this from a recent source as player rosters and heights may have changed.
Who is the tallest girl in WNBA history?
The tallest player in WNBA history is Margo Dydek, who stood at an astonishing 7’2″ (218 cm). Born in Poland, Dydek played as a center for several teams including the Utah Starzz, San Antonio Silver Stars, and Connecticut Sun.
Her height provided her with a significant advantage, particularly in blocking shots. She led the league in blocks nine times and remains the WNBA’s all-time leader in this category. Despite her passing in 2011, Dydek’s influence on the game continues to inspire many budding basketball players.
How tall are WNBA girls
The height of players in the WNBA varies considerably, ranging from around 5’5″ to 6’8″. The average height of a WNBA player is approximately 6’0″. This height range accommodates a variety of positions and roles within the team. For instance, point guards, who are typically responsible for orchestrating the team’s offensive play, are usually on the shorter end of this range.
In contrast, centers and forwards, who play closer to the basket and are often responsible for rebounding and blocking, are usually among the tallest players on the team. However, height is just one factor of many that contribute to a player’s effectiveness and success in the league. Skills such as shooting, passing, rebounding, and defending, as well as attributes like speed, agility, and basketball IQ, are all critically important.
How Does Height Impact Performance in the WNBA?
Height in basketball can significantly influence a player’s role and effectiveness. Taller players often excel in rebounding, blocking, and shooting over defenders due to their physical advantage. However, height is just one factor. Skills such as shooting accuracy, speed, agility, basketball IQ, and leadership can be equally, if not more, important.
Have There Been Successful Short Players in the WNBA?
Absolutely! Players like Shannon Bobbitt and Temeka Johnson, both standing at 5’3″, have had successful WNBA careers. These players often rely more on speed, agility, passing skills, and a high basketball IQ, showcasing that size isn’t the only determining factor of success.
What Challenges Do Taller WNBA Players Face?
While height can be a significant advantage in basketball, taller players may face specific challenges. These can include a higher center of gravity affecting balance and agility, increased likelihood of certain injuries, and often, higher expectations due to their size.
How Has the Average Height in the WNBA Changed Over Time?
Since the WNBA’s inception in 1997, the average height of players has remained relatively consistent, around 6’0″. This consistency underscores the balanced importance of both height and other skills in the game.
How Does the Average Height in the WNBA Compare to the NBA?
The average height of a WNBA player is around 6’0″, while in the NBA, it’s closer to 6’7″. This difference is primarily due to biological differences between men and women.
Do Taller WNBA Players Tend to Score More Points?
Not necessarily. While height can provide advantages in scoring, especially near the basket, many other factors come into play, including shooting accuracy, agility, game strategy, and team dynamics. Some of the league’s top scorers, such as Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore, stand at 6’0″ and 6’1″ respectively, demonstrating that height is just one aspect of a player’s scoring ability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while height can provide certain advantages in basketball, the WNBA has continually showcased that it’s not the sole determining factor for success. From the towering presence of 7’2″ Margo Dydek to the agility and skill of 5’3″ Shannon Bobbitt, the league is rich with diverse talent. The beauty of basketball, especially in the WNBA, lies in this diversity and the unique set of skills each player brings to the court, regardless of their height.