The Average Height of NBA Players: NBA Statistical Analysis
Many know that the NBA is a league of titans. The typical NBA player is an astounding 6'6.5'' inches tall. This implies that the average player on the court would be 9.5 inches taller than the average man in the crowd.
Let's explore the average height of NBA players by position, the average height of players over the years, and how the average height of teams in the NBA corresponds with their winning percentage.
Average NBA Height by Position
There are five traditional roles on a basketball team: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. Usually, shorter NBA players are point or shooting guards while centers are generally the tallest players.
Average NBA Point Guard Height: 6'2.5''
As of 2022, the average height of an NBA point guard was 6'2.5''. This is shorter than the NBA's overall average height but still exceeds the typical man by over five inches.
Notwithstanding this, there are numerous precedents of successful NBA players below this height. All-time legends Allen Iverson (6'0''), John Stockton (6'1''), and Chris Paul (6'1'') all played at point guard or shooting guard. Their success is attributed to their ball handling, agility, speed, and game IQ rather than their height.
Possibly the shortest player in the league is Markquis Nowell of the Toronto Raptors, standing at merely 5'7'', and the second-shortest at 5'8'' is Jacob Gilyard of the Memphis Grizzlies - both point guards.
Average NBA Shooting Guard Height: 6'4.5''
Two of the most enthralling and gifted players in NBA history, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, were both primarily shooting guards. They were both 6'6'' tall and just about the average height for shooting guards in 2023-24, which is 6'4.5''.
Today, it's not unusual to see "swingmen" - players capable of playing various positions - who own a range of skills. These include shooting guards like James Harden, Tracy McGrady, Klay Thompson, and unquestionably Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Average Small Forward Height in the NBA: 6'6.4''
NBA players designated as small forwards, despite their name, generally have an average height of 6'6.4''. This is slightly better than the overall average NBA player height. Perhaps the NBA could reconsider these names as "above-average" forwards instead?
Legends like LeBron James (6'9''), Larry Bird (6'9''), and Scottie Pippen (6'8'') are renowned for their combination of basketball prowess and athleticism, coupled with height and power.
Average Height of a Power Forward in the NBA: 6'8.2''
Power forwards often have a feeling of imposing stature. The average power forward size in the NBA is 6'8.2'', which is almost a foot longer than the typical American male.
With their height, power forwards are anticipated to rebound, create screens, and play nearer to the basket than guards and small forwards. However, in modern basketball, a power forward with guard-like skills is not uncommon.
Some of the titans who combined ball handling, shooting, and passing while maintaining a height usually associated with smaller players are Giannis Antetokounmpo (6'11''), Kevin Garnett (6'11''), Kevin Durant (6'11''), and Dirk Nowitzki (7'0'').
Average NBA Center Height: 6'10.3''
Centers are, on average, the tallest players on any basketball court. Center and power forward positions can sometimes interchange, but on average, an NBA center is 6'10.3'' tall. They usually play close to the basket, their primary responsibility being to rebound, set screens, obstruct opponents' shots, and score in the paint.
Currently, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Boban Marjanovic of the Houston Rockets are the tallest active players in the NBA, both measuring 7'4''. Both players are centers (with Wembanyama occasionally playing as a power forward).
The tallest player in NBA history was the impressive Gheorghe Muresan (pictured below), who was a staggering 7'7'', and you guessed it - he played as a center.
Over the course of many years, the average human height has been increasing, brought about by advancements in health care, food, and living conditions. In the United States, the typical height of a grown man rose by 1.5 inches between 1960 and 2002. So, has the typical NBA player's height followed a similar trend?
The image included depicts the average NBA player's height by decade, starting in the 1960s. The average height of NBA players during the 2002-03 season was 6'6.9", which was an increase of precisely 1.5 inches compared to the 1960s. However, there hasn't been a taller decade since the noughties.
The early 1980s have been nicknamed the time of the big men, so it stands to reason that the average NBA player's height peaked in 1986-87 (6'7.2"), at which point the league began to move away from height as its primary focus. It instead valued skill more.
NBA Team Heights by Average
Here's a table of each NBA team's average height, as well as their win percentage, during the current 2023-24 season:
The tallest NBA team is the Denver Nuggets, who stand at an average height of 6'7.9", over 1.4 inches taller than the average of 6'6.5", and 2.5 inches taller than the shortest team in the league, which is the Golden State Warriors.
The graph displayed plots each team in order of average height (beginning with the tallest) against their win percentage currently in the season. While there is a slight correlation when plotted, it's noticeable that the team with the greatest win rate, the Boston Celtics, is the third tallest team.
Is Size Important?
Certainly, size matters in the NBA, but it's not the only thing. This article has demonstrated that different positions have distinct average heights and that norms have changed over time. Numerous players whose heights deviate from the norm have had tremendous careers. But what are the prospects of making it in the NBA?
Frequently Asked Questions About NBA Height
How many NBA players are 7 feet tall or taller in the 2023-24 season?There are 31 NBA players who stand at 7 feet or taller. Victor Wembanyama and Boban Marjanovic are the tallest NBA players, both measuring 7'4".
Does the NBA restrict the height of players?No, the NBA does not impose any height limitations on either tall or short players. The shortest player in NBA history was Muggsy Bogues (5'3"), while the tallest was Gheorghe Muresan (7'7").
Is 6'3" a short height for the NBA?6'3" is shorter than the average height of 6'6", but slightly taller than the average point guard's height (6'2.5"). It may depend on the position and the player's talents.
At what height did NBA players stand at age 16?Many NBA players have reached considerable heights by the time they're 16. However, everyone develops differently, and some may experience growth spurts earlier or later than age 16. As a high school sophomore, Michael Jordan was reportedly 5'11", while Wilt Chamberlain was 6'0" at age 10.
What is the average height of an NBA player in the 2023-24 season?6'6.5" is the average height of an NBA player this season. The typical height of an NBA player has remained at 6'6" since the 1980s.
If you enjoyed this, check out our articles on NBA players with the largest hands and the tallest WNBA players.
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