Are you curious about how tall the average NBA player will be in 2023? Well, wonder no more! In this article, we’ll explore the height of professional basketballers by position, look at the evolution of NBA players’ heights over time, discuss the changes in basketball footwear, examine whether taller players tend to win more and even list out the shortest and tallest players in the history of the Association.
So let’s get started – come along with us as we dive into the fascinating world of NBA heights and heights and find out who has been the teeniest – and tallest – ballers ever to hit the court.
Average Height Of NBA Players By Position
The average NBA player height in the 2021-2022 season was a towering 6’6″ (198,6 cm). To play hoops, you’ll need to be at least 6 feet tall to score and defend at the goal post, which is 10 feet up in the air. Point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards, and centers are the five positions in basketball. Each position has its own unique set of skills and responsibilities.
The tallest player ever to hit the court was 13 inches taller than the average NBAer. It’s a pretty small slice – only 2.5% of playing time is taken up by players who are 6 feet or shorter. Just under 5% of NBA players reach the 7-foot mark or higher.
Most American guys measure up to around 5’9″ 1/2″. Most NBA players are between 6’4″ and 6’8″ tall. It’s a pretty big deal if you’re 6 feet tall in the NBA, because it’s not super common in the general population. If you make it to the NBA at that height, you’re considered a skilled and rare player.
Point Guards
Was it a question that popped up in your mind? The average height of point guards during the 1952/53 season was 6 feet, and it was quite cool. Back in ’87, the average height of point guards in the NBA was a towering 6’3″. It’s been a big jump! Back in 1952, the average height of point guards was 6′, but by 1987 it had shot up to 6’3″. Nowadays, it’s usually somewhere between 6′ and 6’3″.
Point guards usually range from 6′ to 6’3″, so that’s the average height you can expect. Magic Johnson and Ben Simmons are both 6’9” tall. This makes them the tallest point guards in NBA history. Muggsey Bogues was the tallest point guard ever to grace the NBA court, standing at a measly 5’3″.
It’s all about court awareness and basketball IQ. You gotta have a good understanding of the game if you want to make it as a point guard in the NBA!
Shooting Guards
The shooting guard position in basketball is focused on taking and making three-pointers and mid-range jump shots. In the NBA, the average height range for shooting guards is now 6’3” to 6’5”, which is a bit taller than it used to be when the average was around 6’1″.
The current average height for shooting guards in the NBA is 6’5″ or about 195.58 cm. It’s important that shooting guards have their dribbling and shooting skills down pat, as they don’t have to be tall to make it in the NBA. Some of the most famous shooting guards in the NBA include Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Milwaukee Bucks’ Donte DiVincenzo.
Small Forwards
It looks like small forwards in the NBA are usually around 6’7″ tall these days. Small forwards are usually all about speed and offense, using their agility to score from any spot on the court.
It looks like the average height of small forwards has been steadily climbing, peaking at 6’8″ during the 2015-16 season before dropping back down to 6’7″ now. It’s a similar story for shooting guards, who’ve been getting bigger until around 2000 when they hit a plateau just under 6’8″ and then lost an inch in recent seasons.
The small forward position is key in any basketball team and some of the most famous small forwards in the NBA include LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Larry Bird, and Scottie Pippen.
Power Forwards
Power forwards in the NBA usually range from 6’7″ to 6’11”. Power forwards are all about mid-range shooting and having the brawn to take on the biggest guys on the other team.
But now, power forwards are all about stretching the court, bombing threes, and dishing out assists from the outside. Power forwards in the NBA have been going crazy with three-point attempts, with a whopping 327% increase. To keep up with the pace of the game, power forwards have slimmed down by around 10 lbs in the last four years to get faster and more agile.
Centers
Center NBA players are the tallest players on the court, ranging from 6’9″ to 7′ tall. The average height of center players in the NBA is 6’11.9″, which is slightly taller than the 6’11” average for all NBA players.
Back in the 1950s, the average height of centers was 6’8″, but it gradually increased to 6’11.9″ in the 1995-1996 season. This peak was followed by a steady increase in the average weight of NBA centers, which peaked at 255 lbs in 2014. Centers aren’t as important as they used to be in the NBA, as the game has been shifting to more of a perimeter-oriented style.
Evolution Of The Average Height Of NBA Players
The average height of NBA players has been steadily increasing over the last few decades. In the 1950s, the average height of NBA players was 6’4”, while in 2021, the average height of NBA players was 6’7”. This increase in height can be attributed to a variety of factors, including improved nutrition, better training regimens, and the global growth of basketball.
The increased height has had a significant impact on the way teams play. Taller players have been able to dominate the paint and have a greater defensive presence than shorter players. Point guards have grown taller, with the average height for point guards increasing from 6’0” in the 1950s to 6’2” in 2021. This has allowed point guards to become more effective on the defensive end, as they are able to stay in front of quicker guards and disrupt passing lanes.
The average height of shooting guards and small forwards has also increased significantly since the 1950s. Shooting guards have increased from 6’3” to 6’5” and small forwards have increased from 6’5” to 6’8”. This increase in height has enabled teams to play more positionless basketball, as these players are able to defend multiple positions and create mismatches on the offensive end.
The average height of power forwards and centers has also increased, although not as significantly as the other positions. Power forwards have increased from 6’7” to 6’8”, while centers have increased from 6’9” to 6’10”. This increase in height has allowed the post game to become more prevalent in the modern game, as taller players are able to score more effectively in the paint and protect the rim on the defensive end.
In addition to the increase in height, the evolution of basketball footwear has also had a major impact on the average height of NBA players. Modern basketball shoes are designed to provide increased cushioning and support, allowing players to jump higher and run faster. This has enabled taller players to become even more effective on the court, as they are able to use their height to their advantage.
The Evolution Of Basketball Footwear
Converse dropped the first-ever basketball shoe, the All Star, back in 1917. This shoe set the foundation for the modern basketball shoes we see today. Chuck Taylor’s signature shoe was a total game-changer and was the must-have basketball shoe of its time.
We have since transitioned from the days of Chuck Taylor’s iconic kicks to the modern era with Curry and Irving’s signature shoes, designed for the smaller players. These shoes have taken the game to the next level and are designed to help players move and perform better on the court.
We have also seen the evolution of basketball footwear with the introduction of more advanced materials, cushioning, and design features to help enhance the player’s performance. The evolution of basketball footwear has played a major role in the development of modern basketball and the advancement of the game.
Change in NBA Height Trends
Back in 90, the average height of NBA players was a towering 6’6.81” (6 feet 6.81 inches). Since then, the average height of NBA players has seen a steady rise, with the average player height reaching 6’7” (6 feet 7 inches) in 2019.
Height can be a big advantage in certain positions in the NBA. It gives players a better view of the court, helps them block shots, and makes it easier to dunk. When it comes to players who really stand out in their positions because of their height, you can’t go past Shaq, who was an unstoppable force at 7’1”, and Kevin Durant, who’s a real force to be reckoned with at 6’10”.
While the average height of NBA players stopped increasing in ’87, they kept packing on the pounds until 2011 when they hit their peak at around 221 lbs or 100.2 kg. This means that while the average height of NBA players has stayed the same, the average weight has decreased. This shift in weight is largely attributed to the changes in the game itself, which has become more perimeter-oriented and high-paced.
Have NBA Players Always Been That Tall?
Back in 52, the average height of NBA players was a towering 6’4″. That was quite a bit taller than the average American man at the time, who was around 5’10”. In 1987, the average height of ballers in the NBA was a towering 6’7″. That was even taller than the average American man at the time, who was around 5’9″.
Since the early days, the average height of NBA players has been steadily climbing. There was a peak in ’87 and a recent uptick in weight. This is due to changes in the modern game, with more emphasis on speed and agility over size and strength.
The average height for many positions in the NBA has increased since ’52, with Point Guards, Shooting Guards, and Small Forwards all growing by about an inch. Centers, however, have remained relatively the same, with an average height of 6’10” in both ’52 and ‘2023.
Minimum Height Requirements for NBA
Nope, there’s no set height requirement for the NBA. While some people may think that height is all that matters in basketball, NBA scouts focus on what a player can do, not how tall they are.
Players such as Muggsey Bogues, who was only 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall, have managed to play 15 games in the season. Height obviously plays an important role in basketball, but it’s not the only thing that matters. NBA scouts look at a variety of attributes such as speed, basketball IQ, agility, and shooting accuracy. Even someone who’s shorter than the average height can still make it in the NBA if they have the right combination of skills and talents.
Correlation of Height and Victories
Nah, there’s no guarantee that height equals success on the court. Although tall players have an advantage in the NBA, there are other factors that can have a bigger impact on the game than just height. Tactics and injuries can make a huge difference too.
However, there does appear to be a correlation between height and rebounds in the NBA. Taller players tend to have an advantage in the rebounding department, although there are some exceptions of course. The taller a player is, the easier it is for them to jump higher and reach higher for rebounds. This is why taller players tend to have better rebound numbers than shorter players.
It’s also important to note that taller players tend to have a higher field goal percentage when shooting from close range. This is due to the fact that they have a bigger target and are able to get a higher percentage of shots in the hoop.
Height definitely plays a role in basketball, but it’s not the only factor that leads to success in the NBA. Players need to have a combination of skill, strategy, and physical attributes in order to succeed. Height is definitely a factor, but it is not the only factor that can lead to winning games.
Summary
In summary, the average height of NBA players has been steadily increasing since 1950, and today stands at 6’7” on average, with point guards ranging from 6′ to 6’3″, shooting guards typically 6’3″ to 6’5″, small forwards around 6’7″, power forwards becoming more agile and versatile, and centers peaking at 6’11.9″ and 255 lbs on average. Basketball footwear has also evolved immensely over the years, with modern designs now focusing on enhancing performance.
There does seem to be some correlation between height and rebounds and field goal percentage in the NBA, but height alone is not the sole indicator for success in the game. The tallest players ever recorded were Gheorghe Mureşan (7 feet 7 inches), Manute Bol, Shawn Bradley, Yao Ming, Chuck Nevitt, and Slavko Vrane, while the shortest ever was Muggsey Bogues at 5 feet 3 inches.
Nutrition, training regimens, and an increased global interest in basketball have all contributed to positive changes seen in height among NBA players over the years. As we look ahead to 2023, it will be interesting to monitor the evolving trends in both height and performance within the NBA.
No doubt they will continue to evolve as new generations of players bring their talents to the court, and we can also expect to see insight into the correlation between height and success in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 7 footers are in the NBA?
According to the latest stats, there are 36 players currently in the NBA who measure 7 feet or taller. That’s only about one per team on average – pretty incredible when you consider how rare it is for a person to be that tall!
It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of these players that they have been able to reach such heights. It’s also a reminder of the importance of proper nutrition and exercise for young people.
Who is currently the shortest player in the NBA?
The current shortest player in the NBA is Kennedy Chandler, a rookie on the Memphis Grizzlies, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.8 m).
Did Muggsy Bogues ever dunk in the NBA?
No, Muggsy Bogues did not dunk in the NBA. Despite being only 5’3″, he made an incredible career by causing opponents fits in his high school and college playing days. He was a master of the pick-and-roll, and his quickness and agility made him a nightmare for opposing teams. He was also a great passerby.
How tall is the average NBA player?
The average height of an NBA player for the 2021-2022 season was 6 feet 6.5 inches, which is 8 inches taller than the US average height for males.
