MIES (Switzerland) - Towering centers that score, block shots and rebound are coveted in international basketball.
Uljana Semjonova, the center that helped the Soviet Union dominate for many years was such a player. The 2.13m (7.0ft) Semjonova, who was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007, recently passed away at the age of 73.
The legendary Latvian is one of the top 10 tallest players in the history of the women's game.
1. Zhang Ziyu (China) - 2.20m 7ft 3in
Not only is she tall, Zhang is young, just 18. She has already played for China's senior women because if you're good enough, you're old enough.
At the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, Zhang helped her country finish third, averaging 15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game. How good will she be?
2. Margo Dydek (Poland) - 2.18m (7ft 2in)
The late Dydek was a major weapon on both ends of the floor. She had size and skill. The Warsaw-born star was unstoppable at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket in 1999, averaging 19.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists while leading her country to the title. She played at the Sydney Olympics the following year.
Dydek had earlier represented Poland at the 1994 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Australia. Her rim protection was a part of her WNBA legend, where she played 11 seasons and blocked 877 shots - still the most in league history.
3. Chen Yuefang (China) - 2.18m (7ft 2in)
Chen was an up-and-coming star for her country when she played at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 1983, averaging 15.9 points per game. That China team came in third, and Chen then competed at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, where again her country claimed the bronze medal.
Yet her career was short lived as she battled health issues, which forced her to stop playing at 22 years of age.
4. Uliana Semjonova (Soviet Union) - 2.16m (7ft 1in)
Semjonova was a leading light for the Soviets for 18 consecutive years, between 1968 and 1986, winning all of her games. At the FIBA Women's Basketball Cup, she captured titles in 1971, 1975 and 1983. The Latvian won Olympic gold in Montreal in 1976 and four years later in Moscow.
Her legend is even greater on the old continent, claiming 10 FIBA Women's EuroBasket crowns in a row between 1968 and 1985.
5. Stephanie Okechukwu (Nigeria) - 2.15m (7ft 1in)
D' Tigress may have a powerful pivot on the way in Texas Tech's latest recruit from Umunneochi, Nigeria. Okechukwu signed with the Lady Raiders in October and according to the Washington Post could get the all clear from the NCAA at some point this season to start playing.
That would make the 21-year-old the tallest player in women's college basketball history.
6. Bernadett Hatar (Hungary) - 2.09m (6ft 10)
"Detti" has been balling out for Hungary's senior team for the past decade and before that, the junior national teams. Tall and thin, she helps Hungary win with her length, soft shooting touch and intensity on both ends of the floor. Hatar's biggest moment was arguably in 2022, when she played a vital role in Sopron's EuroLeague Women title-winning campaign.
Hatar had some monster games that season, including a 25-point, 12-rebound effort in a regular season win over Galatasaray. Best of all was being a vital contributor (10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block) in the 60-55 EuroLeague Women Final triumph over Fenerbahce.
7. Han Xu (China) - 2.08m (6ft 9in)
When it comes to the most accomplished big in China's women's basketball history, it's arguably Han, 27. The player with a feathery touch from mid-range made the All-Star Five when China reached the Final of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney, Australia. She had an unforgettable Semi-Final against Australia with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks.
Han has played at the last two World Cups and two Olympics and is a mainstay in the national team because of her talent, size and experience.
8. Ekaterina Lisina (Russia) - 2.05m (6ft 9in)
Lisina played in one of the most famous teams in international basketball history, the Russia side that beat USA in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2006 in Brazil. The USA have lost at a World Cup or Olympics since. Lisina had several years with the Russia team, starting with that 2006 side that finished runner-up to Australia.
At FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2007 in Chieti, Italy, Lisina reached the top of the podium. She also claimed bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and finished second the following year at the Women's EuroBasket in Riga.
9. Brittney Griner (USA) - 2.04m (6ft 8in)
A player with Hall of Fame credentials has suited up for her country since the 2014 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Türkiye. With the Americans, Griner has two FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup titles and three Olympic gold medals, the last of those claimed in Paris.
Griner, 35, said after those Olympics that she'd like to play at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
10. Liz Cambage (Australia) - 2.04m (6ft 8in)
Cambage is one of the most talented centers in basketball history, especially with her explosive all-round game on offense. Her national team debut at the 2010 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Czechia was unforgettable. Remember the clash with the all-conquering USA in Ostrava, when a teenaged Cambage erupted for 20 points and also had 7 rebounds and 4 blocks?
At the 2016 Olympics, Cambage led all players in scoring at 23.5 points per game and was second in rebounds at 10.3 per game. At the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Cambage averaged 23.8 points and 10.5 rebounds as Australia finished runners-up to USA.
Disclaimer: This list is not an official FIBA ranking or announcement. It is an editorial selection highlighting well-known and notable tall players in women’s international basketball, compiled for the interest and enjoyment of basketball fans on fiba.basketball.
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