Even if you don’t like basketball, it’s very possible you have heard of a man named Yao Ming. He is a Chinese born professional basketball player who played for the Houston Rockets. While that may not sound all that impressive, the thing that really sets him apart is the fact that he is 7 feet 6 inches (228.6cm) tall!
When it comes to legends of the basketball court, few figures stand as literally and figuratively tall as Yao Ming. He transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary ones simply by standing in them.
That’s not a typo. He is really that tall! The great thing is that when Yao Ming is out on the basketball court, he is surrounded by other really tall basketball players. Granted they aren’t as tall as him, but they come within at least a foot of his height. When he’s out and about in the real world though, that’s when you notice a big difference.
Here are 46 pictures that show Yao Ming making everyone around him look as small as an ant!
1.
2.
Yao Ming and a baby elephant.
3.
Yao Ming next to his trainer, kneeling. Look at the height difference.
4.
Yao Ming and Luther Head. Luther Head is 6 feet 3 inches tall.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Yao Ming and Allen Iverson during the NBA All-Star Break.
9.
Dikembe Mutombo, Jeremy Lin, and Yao Ming standing together.
10.
Yao Ming getting fitted for a custom bike.
11.
12.
Some of these don’t even look real!
13.
14.
15.
Yao Ming even stands out when surrounded by other tall basketball players.
16.
17.
Yao Ming & Kobe Bryant
18.
Yao Ming & Arnold Schwarzenegger
19.
20.
Yao Ming is 7 feet 6 inches tall, and you get a true perspective after seeing these pictures.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Yao Ming and Coach Jeff Van Gundy. Van Gundy is only 5 feet 9 inches tall.
27.
28.
Taking pictures of him must be really tough!
29.
30.
You’ll even see that Yao Ming is incredibly tall when pictured next to other tall basketball players.
31.
Yao Ming & Kevin Durrant during the NBA All Star Game.
32.
33.
Yao Ming & Shaquille O’Neal
34.
35.
Yao Ming is so tall standing next to Allen Iverson, you can’t even see his head.
36.
37.
38.
Yao Ming also has a great interest in wine and now owns his own winery, Yao Family Wines.
39.
40.
Seeing Yao Ming next to athletes like Shaq and Kobe Bryant really puts his full height into perspective.
41.
Yao Ming next to professional boxer, Manny Pacquoiu, who is 5 feet 7 inches tall.
42.
Yao Ming, Christina Aguilera, and Shaquille O’Neal
43.
44.
45.
46.
Yao Ming and Jackie Chan
Some of these pictures are just too funny! When he’s out on the basketball court surrounded by other people that are at least 6 feet 6 inches tall, he doesn’t look too big. He’s definitely taller, but it wasn’t as noticeable. Once he’s standing next to an average human between the 5 foot and 6 foot range though.
Summary
The imagery of Yao Ming juxtaposed with others, from fellow basketball giants to the everyday person, highlights not just the rarity of his height but also the cultural fascination with it. Each photograph in this compilation not only draws a smile but also subtly underscores how size can influence perception in both literal and metaphorical ways.
As Yao Ming stands towering over people and objects, these snapshots do more than just depict height differences; they celebrate the uniqueness of an individual who has bridged worlds, from sports to business, and remains a towering figure in more ways than one.
Read more: Don’t worry if you’re not as tall, you can always become the center of the party by having some tricks up your sleeve! 😉