Margo Dydek

Margo Dydek, born Małgorzata Teresa Dydek-Twigg, was a Polish professional basketball player known for being the tallest female player in the world, standing at 7 feet 2 inches tall. She played the center position and had a successful career winning nine national championships in Poland and four in Spain.

Dydek also played 11 seasons in the WNBA for three different teams. After her playing career, she became a coach for the Northside Wizards in the Queensland Basketball League. In 1999, she received the Polish Gold Cross of Merit for her achievements.

She was honored with induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2019, recognizing her important contributions to the sport of basketball.

Early life

Margo Dydek was born on April 28, 1974, in Warsaw, Poland. Her father was very tall, measuring 6 feet 7 inches, and her mother was also tall at 6 feet 3 inches. She had two sisters. Her older sister, Katarzyna, who was also 6 feet 7 inches tall, played for the Colorado Xplosion in a league that no longer exists called the ABL. Her younger sister, Marta, who was 6 feet 6 inches tall, went to the University of Texas–El Paso where she played basketball. Marta also played professional basketball in Spain in the 2000s.

Professional career

Margo Dydek began her basketball career in Poland, playing for Olimpia Poznań and later for teams in France and Spain. She was a key player for Fota Porta Gdynia, helping the team achieve high rankings in Europe. In 1999, she was recognized as the best female basketball player in Europe.

She joined the WNBA in 1998, where she became a top player known for her strong defense. Dydek set many records for blocking shots and was an important part of her teams. After taking time off for pregnancy, she returned to play for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Career statistics

WNBA

Source:

Regular season

Playoffs

Personal life

Margo Dydek was married and had two sons. She could speak five different languages, and her teammates called her "Large Marge".

Death

On 19 May 2011, Margo Dydek collapsed at her home in Brisbane because her heart stopped. She was taken to a hospital and put in a special resting state to help her recover. She was working as a coach for the Northside Wizards in the Queensland Basketball League at the time. Sadly, she did not wake up and passed away eight days later on 27 May 2011.