The average height for an adult male in the United States is 5-foot-9. Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards easily clears that mark by seven inches with a listed height of 6-foot-4. Most people need to look up when speaking with the Ant-Man. That doesn't mean that the 24-year-old superstar can't look small at times. A recent photo of Edwards standing next to Houston Rockets legend Yao Ming shows just how ridiculously tall Yao is.
Anthony Edwards is currently touring in China
Anthony Edwards is currently in China along with adidas on the “Believe That” tour. The 24-year-old revealed his new signature shoe, the AE 2, at that tour.
When it comes to basketball icons in China, the first name that should come to everyone’s mind is Yao Ming. The first overall pick in 2002, Yao’s listed height is 7-foot-6. The center spent his whole NBA playing career with the Rockets.
Yao is more than a foot taller, 14 inches to be exact, than Edwards. The two met up in China and took a photo together. The height discrepancy was noticeable, making someone like Edwards with well above-average height, look quite small.
Ain’t nobody like Ant 😭😭😭
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) August 25, 2025
Anthony Edwards and Yao Ming linked up during the “Believe That.” Tour in China 🤝 pic.twitter.com/giHbTqZYa3
On his Threads account, Edwards complimented Yao by calling him one of the greats, but also stating that he would dunk on him. He wrote,
"I wud dunk on Yao shout out to one of da greats "
Unfortunately, Yao last played in the NBA in 2010, so that opportunity won’t be presented in a game. Edwards can certainly sky through the air though as evidenced by his dunk on Kevon Looney in last year’s playoffs.
THIS ANGLE OF ANTHONY EDWARDS’ DUNK ON KEVON LOONEY IS INSANE! 😳📸 pic.twitter.com/dsAdt7zaM3
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) May 11, 2025
Yao Ming is one of the tallest players in NBA history
Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, Yao is one of the tallest players in NBA history. Only two players ever are listed at a taller height. Those are Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol. Also listed at 7-foot-6 are Tacko Fall and Shawn Bradley. Yes, his career was often derailed by injuries, but Yao easily had the best career amongst those players. He was an eight-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA player.
While Edwards would have to get up quite high to yam on Yao, I venture to believe there’s not a Timberwolves fan around that doubts he would be able to do so. Maybe he will get a chance to do so on Zach Edey of the Grizzlies, the tallest active player at 7-foot-4.