Being a big man in the NBA used to mean staying in the paint and moving like you had bricks in your shoes. But over the years, certain giants have flipped that script—soaring through the air, running the floor like guards, and moving with a smoothness that defies their size.
These aren’t just tall guys who could dunk. These are the freak athletes—centers and power forwards who mixed size, speed, and strength in a way that made jaws drop. Here are the 18 most athletic big men the NBA has ever seen.
18. Jermaine O’Neal
O’Neal was long, lean, and quick off the floor. He made his name with explosive dunks and swift footwork that belied his 6’11” frame.
17. Anthony Davis
When he’s healthy, Davis glides across the floor like a wing and plays above the rim like a center. His combination of length, speed, and bounce makes him a defensive menace.
16. Tyson Chandler
In his prime, Chandler was a rim-running, above-the-rim menace. His combination of length, quick jumps, and quick feet helped him become a defensive anchor.
15. Kenyon Martin
Martin played with a violent athleticism that matched his fiery personality. He exploded off the ground with power, whether for blocks, dunks, or snatching rebounds.
14. Giannis Antetokounmpo
A 7-footer who moves like a guard, Giannis is one of the most unique athletes ever. His long strides and ability to elevate in traffic make him nearly unguardable.
13. Josh Smith
Smith was a highlight reel in Atlanta with his fast-twitch leaping and chase-down blocks. He may not have had the smoothest career arc, but his athletic gifts were undeniable.
12. Kevin Garnett
KG had relentless energy, elite coordination, and bounce that made him a matchup nightmare. His ability to move laterally and leap for second-chance points was rare for his height.
11. David Robinson
The Admiral wasn’t just chiseled—he was explosive. Robinson could beat most centers down the floor and elevate well above the rim on both ends.
10. Zion Williamson
Yes, he’s undersized height-wise, but Zion plays like a power forward and moves like a human freight train. His vertical leap and burst make him a generational athlete among bigs.
9. Chris Webber
Webber could handle the ball like a guard and finish around the rim with grace and power. His agility and coordination made him a unicorn before that term was trendy.
8. Dwight Howard
Peak Dwight was a freak of nature with an absurd vertical leap and ridiculous strength. He won multiple dunk contests and routinely out-jumped players half his size.
7. Hakeem Olajuwon
Olajuwon was light on his feet with footwork that would make a ballet dancer jealous. Add in his quick hops and fast-twitch instincts, and you had a center who could dominate on both ends without brute force.
6. Blake Griffin
Prime Blake was must-see TV, dunking on everyone from Pau Gasol to Kendrick Perkins. His mix of power, agility, and in-air creativity was rare for someone built like a linebacker.
5. Bill Russell
Russell’s vertical leap and blazing speed were ahead of his time. He covered ground like a wing and could alter shots midair with ease, all while grabbing rebounds in a crowd.
4. Amare Stoudemire
Stat was pure electricity—his first step was unreal, and his dunks were violent. He thrived in transition and off pick-and-rolls thanks to his insane vertical pop.
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3. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq wasn’t just big—he was explosive in his younger years. For a man that size to move the way he did, with that kind of power and agility, was simply ridiculous.
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2. Shawn Kemp
Kemp was a human highlight reel who dunked with rage and sprang off the floor like a trampoline. His raw athleticism made him one of the most exciting bigs to ever play.
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1. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt was running track, high jumping, and dominating every sport he tried before he became a basketball legend. At over 7 feet tall with freakish strength and speed, he was decades ahead of his time athletically.
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