Top 10 Heaviest NBA Players of All-Time

By Fan Arch August 12, 2024 07:10

Photo by Noah Graham/Getty Images

Basketball, a game synonymous with agility, skill, and endurance, has also been a showcase for some of the most physically imposing athletes in the world of sports. As the premier basketball league, the NBA has seen its fair share of towering and robust players who have used their size to dominate on the court. While agility and speed are undeniably crucial, the power and presence of the heaviest NBA players of all time have left an indelible mark on the game, altering the dynamics of play and challenging opponents in unique ways.

These athletes have not only leveraged their physicality as an advantage but have also shown remarkable skill, making them unforgettable figures in basketball history. Join us as we look back at the Top 10 Heaviest NBA Players of All-Time, a tribute to those game giants whose sheer mass and talent have made them legends in their own right.

1. Oliver Miller

Full Name: Oliver Miller
Position: Center
Years Played: 1992-1998, 2003-2004
Maximum weight: 170 kg (375 lb.)

Size Miller was in the prime of his life when he passed away, including his 6'9" frame, which added to a large amount for being so tall. In nine NBA seasons, Miller averaged 7.4 points in addition to 5.9 rebounds and 2. He bounced around to six different teams, showing flashes of ability so that he could hang on in the league for longer than many believed.

Miller's size advantage contributed to his ability to bang in the post and grounded him. Stamina and agility are two important factors in this game because he struggled with conditioning.

2. Shaquille O'Neal

Name: Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal
Position: Center
Years Played: 1992–2011
Greatest of All-Time: 163 kg (359 lbs)

O'Neal was a 15-time All-Star, an NBA Champion four times, and named Finals MVP three times while averaging 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game across his career. His size helped him dominate, and he excelled playing the heart of their lineup. But his weight also made it difficult to maintain conditioning, especially later in his career.

3. Eddy Curry

Full Name: Eddy Curry
Position: Center
Years Played: 2001–2012
Maximum Record Weight: 159 kg (350 lbs)

His highest scoring year with the New York Knicks was 19.5 points per game, and he averaged a career-high rebounding of seven during that same period behind his offensive arsenal. Curry could set his place in the post because he had more weight on it, making it very difficult for him to be knocked off balance.

4. Michael Sweetney

Full Name: Michael Sweetney
Position: Power Forward
Years Played: 2003–2008
Highest Weight: 158kg

Physical Sweetney was the 9th pick in the NBA draft by the New York Knicks. His skill made him a solid post presence, but his size also limited his mobility and effectiveness on the court. Sweetney battled weight for much of his career, preventing him from reaching the NBA potential he showed before arriving at Georgetown.

5. Robert Traylor

Name (First): Robert "Tractor"
Position: Power Forward
Years Played: 1998–2005
Biggest Weight Ever: 145kg

He averaged 4.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in seven seasons but was often used as a reference point for unfulfilled potential. While his size allowed him to be effective down low, it also made it very difficult for him to move and have an impact on the game.

Traylor had weight issues that plagued him during his playing days, limiting the amount of time he could on the field and also sapping much out of whatever ability he possessed.

6. Kevin Duckworth

Full Name: Kevin Duckworth
Position: Center
Years Played: 1986–1997
Heaviest Weight On Record: 145 kgs

Kevin averaged 12.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, was a two-time All-Star (1987-88), and was the Most Improved Player in '88. Duckworth's size was a significant offensive weapon, but as he gained weight, his quickness and agility waned.

7. Yao Ming

Full Name: Yao Ming
Position: Center
Years Played: 2002–2011
Top Weight At Any Time Recorded: 310 lbs/141kg

Yao was one of the tallest players at 7'6" and weighed a fair amount. Over the course of eight seasons as an All-Star, Yao averaged 19 points and 9.2 rebounds. Yao Ming eventually retired early due to an array of foot and ankle problems, mainly facilitated by height/weight.

8. Mengke Bateer

Full Name: Mengke Bateer
Position: Center
Years Played: 2002–2003
In such a diet, the following results were recorded: 141 kg (310 lbs)
Height 7'0"; Weight: Huge Frame;

In terms of physicality, his weight was a big presence, but he had not mastered the speed and skill level associated with NBA gameplay. Physically, Bateer struggled with mobility and conditioning during his NBA career, which inhibited him on-court.

9. Dexter Pittman

Full Name: Dexter Pittman
Position: Center
Years Played: 2010–2015
Highest Weight Recorded: 139kg

Pittman averaged 2.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game over four seasons in the NBA. In a literal sense, his weight worked both for and against him, giving him power but also removing some of the agility that's essential on the field.

10. Gheorghe Mureșan

Full Name: Gheorghe Mureșan
Position: Center
Years Played: 1993–2000
Heaviest Weight: 137 kgs (302lbs)

His height and weight made him a great shot-blocker and rebounding, but they also caused some mobility problems. Muresan had health problems from his height, which caused joint issues that shortened his playing career.

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