Gheorghe Mureșan Net Worth

Gheorghe Mureșan is the tallest player to have ever played in the NBA. Nicknamed “The Giant,” he was born in Romania on February 14, 1971, before coming to the United States to build his basketball career. 

Though injuries cut his NBA stint short after just 7 seasons, he made his mark by leading the league in field goal percentage in the 1995-96 season. While he earned millions in salary during his playing days, injuries have hampered his ability to build his net worth after retirement. 

Today, we estimate Mureșan’s net worth and discuss how he built his career earnings playing for the Washington Bullets/Wizards and New Jersey Nets as the tallest player in the history of the NBA.

Gheorghe Mureșan net worth and NBA earnings

Mureșan remains the tallest player ever in the NBA, Toweringtoweringot-77 feet 7 inches being drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1993; he played 7 seasons in the NBA and earned over $17 million in salary. 

He started making $500,000 in his rookie year in 1993-1994. But the Romanian giant quickly improved, winning Most Improved Player in 1996, which boosted his salary to $1.8 million that season. 

His top earning year was 1995-1996, when he made $2.3 million with the Bullets. After 5 seasons in Washington, Mureșan signed with the New Jersey Nets in 1998. 

Gheorghe Mureșan playing for Washington Bullets/Wizards (Source: Alianta)

Though his play and minutes declined due to injuries, he earned $510,000 in 1999 and $475,000 in 2000 before retiring.

Mureșan earned nearly $9 million in base salaries during his NBA career. Factoring in the inflation rates to 2023 dollars, his career basketball earnings topped $17 million.

Such high pay in just 7 years allowed Mureșan to live comfortably after retirement at age 29. Conservative estimates peg his current net worth at around $5 million. 

While taxes and expenses over the years have reduced his net worth from his peak career earnings, Mureșan’s towering height and basketball skill changed his financial life during his short NBA run.

Gheorghe Mureșan NBA career

Mureșan’s professional basketball career began in his home country of Romania, playing for Universitatea Cluj. He helped the team become national champions in 1992 before moving to France to play for Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez in 1992-1993. 

He won the French League Cup in his first season, quickly becoming a fan favorite. After a breakout year in France, Mureșan declared for the 1993 NBA Draft and was selected by the Washington Bullets. 

What followed was a 7-year NBA career from 1993-2000 filled with glimpses of brilliance. Mureșan’s NBA career peaked in 1995-1996 when he won Most Improved Player, averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.26 blocks – elite numbers.

He also led the league in field goal percentage two straight seasons thanks to his ability to tower over opponents. He then joined the New Jersey Nets in 1998. 

He only appeared in 31 games for the Nets before returning overseas to play for his former French team, Pau-Orthez, in 2000-2001. Mureșan finally captured the French league title before retiring for good.

Though he only played 7 NBA seasons and 3 pro seasons overseas, Mureșan became a cult icon thanks to his height and skill. 

His career averages of 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.48 blocks only touch the surface of his capabilities when he is healthy. For a 7-foot-7 giant, Mureșan displayed a smooth offensive arsenal and tenacious paint defense at his peak.

Gheorghe Mureșan’s career was cut short due to injuries

Mureșan’s extraordinary height gave him an edge on the court but also led to chronic injuries and health issues. Mureșan suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that results in excessive growth. By age 18, Mureșan had already grown over 7 feet tall.

This giant frame helped him dominate early in his NBA career after being drafted in 1993. He enjoyed his best individual season in 1995-1996, averaging 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.26 blocks en route to winning Most Improved Player. 

However, the nonstop pounding and physicality of playing against smaller but stronger athletes in the NBA took its toll on Mureșan’s body. He missed the 1997-1998 season due to foot problems and a severe ankle injury. 

Gheorghe Mureșan with Tim Hardway (Source: Facebook)

Speculation persists that he initially injured his ankle while filming the movie My Giant with Billy Crystal during that timeframe. But regardless of origin, the injury was devastating and irreversible.

He tried to play through pain in his last 2 NBA seasons for the New Jersey Nets but could only appear in 31 total games before retiring in 2000 at age 29. 

For a man of his size, his NBA career was unfortunately brief, spanning just 307 total games with averages of 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds. While he showed flashes of excellence when healthy, the strain his gigantism put on his body ultimately betrayed him. 

Foot, ankle, and knee problems robbed him of what could have been a much longer and impactful NBA career. But for a brief period, the 7-foot-7 Mureșan towered above the basketball world in more ways than one.

Gheorghe Mureșan runs his basketball academy

After retiring from the NBA in 2000 at 29 years old, Mureșan sought a new path in basketball – coaching and developing youth players. 

He created the nonprofit Giant Basketball Academy (GBA) in 2004 to pass on his knowledge and passion for the sport to the next generation.

The GBA holds year-round clinics, camps, and leagues for boys and girls aged 6-14 in Northern Virginia, where Mureșan lives. The program focuses on teaching proper fundamentals and skills to young players rather than an elite travel team environment. 

Drawing from his unlikely journey from novice Romanian teen to NBA All-Star, Mureșan enjoys working with awkward or struggling players at his academy. 

Just like he once did, Mureșan helps campers slowly build their skills until they can succeed on the court. He still vividly remembers the culture shock of coming to America and missing his first NBA shots as a rookie.

He relates these stories to inspire his young players. Though he stands 7-foot-7, Mureșan sees himself as the underdog David to the Goliaths of the sports world. 

His coaching style and program mentality embody this spirit – valuing effort and improvement within a nurturing environment. Nearly 80 kids participate in GBA leagues and camps each year. 

Mureșan oversees a small staff of fellow coaches who buy into his player development philosophy over rankings or results. His nonprofit academy now thrives as the tallest man in NBA history continues giving back to the game that gave him his iconic stature.