With height being a big advantage in basketball, the NBA features some of the tallest athletes in the sporting world.
Height is widely considered an indicator of the best position for a player. With players from the shorter side filling the backcourt, the frontcourt features some of the tallest players in the game.
The big men in basketball often refer to the forward and center positions. The role of the big man has traditionally been dominant. However, this has undergone massive changes in recent years.
As the game entered a modern era that saw the NBA transform into a “league of guardians”, the big men had to adapt to a different style of play. One that has unfortunately seen reduced use of their traditional skills.
However, height remains a key factor in various situations. Whether as a defensive presence or on the offensive glass, big players will continue to be valuable on the roster if they have the skills to back it up.
Heading into the 2022-23 season, the NBA will feature a number of big men across all league teams.
With that in mind, we’re taking a look at the five greatest NBA players heading into the 2022-23 NBA season.
#5 Moses Brown
The LA Clippers’ Moses Brown checks in at No. 5 on this list heading into next season. Standing at a whopping 7’2″, Brown plays center and comes off the bench for the Clippers.
Having played for more than four teams in his short 3-year career, Brown has struggled to establish himself as a valuable piece. After a short stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 23-year-old hopes to be a bigger player on the Clippers’ roster.
With a career average of 6.0 points and 5.8 rebounds in 14.3 minutes played, Brown could have some potential as the third option in the big man rotation.
#4 Bowl Bowl
Pointing to No. 4, we take a look at Orlando Magic’s recent acquisition, Bol Bol. Bol, who played out his rookie contract with the Denver Nuggets, finds himself in Orlando with new opportunities.
Standing at 7’2″ tall, the 22-year-old boasts a smooth jumper with a fairly reliable grip on the ball. The son of former NBA player Manute Bol, Bol Bol certainly has the pedigree to be a treasured piece on any list.
Unfortunately, the former Nuggets big man averaged less than 10 minutes of playing time during his three-year stint with the team. With an average of 2.7 points and 1.2 rebounds during this period, Bol Bol hopes to shine more with the Magic.
#3 Luc Kornet
Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet comes in at No. 3 with a height of 7’2″. With five years of professional NBA experience, the Vanderbilt product played with more than five teams before landing with the Celtics last season.
Kornet has mainly played in the power forward and center positions during his career. Having enjoyed most of his success as a power forward in his early seasons in the league, the 27-year-old will be a late-bench rotation piece for the Celtics in the upcoming season.
He has a career average of 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in over 140 games played in the NBA.
#2 Kristaps Porzingis
Coming to #2, we introduce a familiar name for fans. Standing at a whopping 7’3″ tall, Washington Wizards big man Kristaps Porzingis will be the second tallest player heading into the upcoming season.
The Latvian forward spent six years in the league after being a first-round pick by the New York Knicks. Having also played alongside Luka Doncic in the Dallas Mavericks, Porzingis finds himself becoming a key player in the Wizards’ starting lineup.
After an impressive season where he averaged more than 22 points per game with the Wizards, Porzingis hopes to be a more dominant force this season.
#1 Boban Marjanovic
Finally at No. 1 on our list, we present one of the most beloved players in the league in Boban Marjanovic. Standing 7’3″, Marjanovic is currently the tallest player in the league.
Having played with multiple teams during his 7-year NBA career, Marjanovic has garnered a lot of attention for his height. Having also played alongside Kristaps Porzingis in Dallas, the Mavericks showcased an incredibly large frontcourt rotation with both on the floor.
Boban Marjanovic is currently on the Houston Rockets roster. Playing alongside young talent, Marjanovic is unlikely to receive many minutes. However, the Serbian big man has certainly become a fan favorite during his NBA career.