Mu Tiezhu
Chinese basketball giant and national team mainstay for 14 years.
Mu Tiezhu, also known as Mu 'Iron Pole' Tiezhu, was a prominent Chinese basketball player and coach. Standing at 228 cm (7 feet 5.75 inches) and weighing around 120–130 kg, he was one of the largest and tallest players in China, comparable to Yao Ming and Sun Mingming. He played for the China men's national basketball team for 14 years and was a member of the Bayi Basketball Team.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- June 1, 1949
- Birth Place
- Heze, Shandong, China
- Death Date
- September 14, 2008
- Death Place
- Beijing, China
- Nationality
- Chinese
- Height
- 228 cm
- Weight
- 160 kg
- Career Position
- Center
- Career Start
- 1973
- Career End
- 1987
- Medaltemplates
- Men's basketball · FIBA Asia Cup / 1977 Kuala Lumpur · 1979 Nagoya · 1981 Kolkata · 1983 Hong Kong · Asian Games / 1978 Bangkok
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Mu Tiezhu was born in Dongming County, Heze, Shandong in 1949. He was one of the first Chinese giants to appear on the China men's national basketball team, playing for the national team for 14 years. As a member of the Bayi Basketball Team, he played against the 1978 NBA champion Washington Bullets twice in August 1979. He retired as a player in 1987 and as a coach in 2000.
Reader's Guide
Mu Tiezhu's significance lies in his role as a pioneering giant in Chinese basketball, paving the way for later tall players like Yao Ming and Sun Mingming. His 14-year tenure with the national team and his record 81-point game for Bayi Basketball Team highlight his dominance in the sport. He also competed against the 1978 NBA champion Washington Bullets, showcasing Chinese basketball on an international stage. After his death, The Draft Review named him an 'Honorable Draftee,' suggesting he would have been a very high pick in the 1972 NBA draft had China been more open at the time. His legacy is further marked by his acromegaly, a condition he shared with Sun Mingming, which allowed both to slam dunk without their feet leaving the ground. Mu died of myocardial infarction in Beijing on September 14, 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mu Tiezhu?
Mu Tiezhu, nicknamed 'Iron Pole,' was a Chinese basketball player and later coach who stood 228 cm tall and weighed roughly 120–130 kg, making him one of the biggest athletes in the country's history. He is best remembered for his long tenure with the national team and the Bayi club.
How tall was Mu Tiezhu and how did his size compare to other Chinese players?
At 7 feet 5¾ inches, he was in the same stratosphere as Yao Ming and Sun Mingming in terms of sheer physical presence. His combination of height and mass made him a dominant interior figure on Chinese courts.
What teams did Mu Tiezhu play for during his career?
He was a long-standing member of the Bayi Basketball Team and represented the China men's national basketball team for fourteen consecutive years. That sustained international service made him a mainstay of the national roster through the 1970s.
Did Mu Tiezhu ever face an NBA team?
Yes—in 1979 he suited up for China in a matchup against the Washington Bullets, who had won the 1978 NBA championship. That game is one of the most cited highlights of his career in fan discussions.
Why do fans still talk about Mu Tiezhu decades later?
His extraordinary stature and the fact that he sustained a top-level career for over a decade made him a generational reference point for Chinese basketball. He is frequently brought up in comparisons whenever a new giant enters the sport.
More in People with acromegaly 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced