How Do You Answer What Is The Average NBA Height? Because This Focused 3 Minute Explanation Is Pretty Hard To Beat
While most sports fans understand that the NBA is home to some of the tallest athletes in the world, few probably know the average NBA height of a player. Although height is an important factor in many athletic endeavors, basketball places the most importance on this characteristic. This article will discuss the current average NBA height of a player, and how it compares historically to previous eras.
How Tall is an Average NBA Player?
What is the average height of an NBA Player? The average NBA player currently has a height of roughly 6 feet, 6 inches, or 78 inches by the English measurement system. By the Metric measurement system, they have an average height of 1.98 meters or 198 centimeters. Next, take a look at the average NBA height by position.
Average NBA Height Of Centers
The center position in the NBA contains the tallest players in the league. Can you guess how many 7 foot players are in the NBA?
The average height of NBA centers is currently 6 feet, 10 inches, or 82 inches by the English measurement system. By the Metric system, they have an average height of 2.08 meters or 208 centimeters.
Average NBA Power Forward Height
The power forward position, once considered a valuable support piece to the center, is quickly becoming obsolete due to the guard-centric style of play that now dominates the league. The average height of NBA power forwards is 6 feet, 8 inches, or 80 inches by the English measurement system. By the Metric system, they have an average height of 2.03 meters or 203 centimeters.
Average NBA Small Forward Height
The small forward or wing position is now generally considered one of the most important positions in the NBA. The average height of an NBA small forward has come down significantly in recent years.
After reaching a peak of nearly 6 feet, 8 inches during the 2010-2011 season, small forwards currently possess an average height of 6 feet, 6.5 inches, or 78.5 inches by the English measurement system. By the Metric system, they have an average height of 1.994 meters or 199.4 centimeters.
Average NBA Shooting Guard Height
Though once considered an unimportant position in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, the shooting guard position was popularized by Michael Jordan in the 80s and 90s. The average height of an NBA shooting guard is 6 feet, 4.5 inches, or 76.5 inches. By the Metric system, they have an average height of 1.943 meters or 194.3 centimeters.
Average NBA Point Guard Height
Usually the shortest position in basketball, the average height of an NBA point guard is 6 feet, 2.5 inches, or 74.5 inches. By the Metric system, they have an average height of 1.892 meters or 189.2 centimeters.
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Average Height of NBA Starting 5s
The average NBA height for the starters are 6 feet, 6.7 inches for the 2022-2023 season. Orlando Magic has the tallest starting 5 average. While the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers have the shortest. Below is a table of the average NBA height for each team.
| TEAM | STARTING 5 NBA HEIGHT AVERAGE |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | 6′ 6.6″ |
| Boston | 6′ 6.2″ |
| Brooklyn | 6′ 7.8″ |
| Charlotte | 6′ 6.8″ |
| Chicago | 6′ 6.6″ |
| Cleveland | 6′ 5.6″ |
| Dallas | 6′ 6.6″ |
| Denver | 6′ 7.6″ |
| Detroit | 6′ 7″ |
| Golden State | 6′ 6″ |
| Houston | 6′ 6.6″ |
| Indiana | 6′ 5.6″ |
| LA Clippers | 6′ 7″ |
| LA Lakers | 6′ 5.2″ |
| Memphis | 6′ 6.8″ |
| Miami | 6′ 5.2″ |
| Milwaukee | 6′ 8.2″ |
| Minnesota | 6′ 8.4″ |
| New Orleans | 6′ 7″ |
| New York | 6′ 6.6″ |
| Oklahoma City | 6′ 6.8″ |
| Orlando | 6′ 9.8″ |
| Philadelphia | 6′ 6.2″ |
| Phoenix | 6′ 6″ |
| Portland | 6′ 5.8″ |
| Sacramento | 6′ 7.8″ |
| San Antonio | 6′ 6.4″ |
| Toronto | 6′ 6.4″ |
| Utah | 6′ 7.4″ |
| Washington | 6′ 7.6″ |
What Percentage of NBA Players are under 6 Feet?
Currently, only 2 players are listed as being under 6 feet tall on active NBA rosters, Kennedy Chandler of the Memphis Grizzlies, and McKinley Wright IV of the Dallas Mavericks. With about 500 players listed on active rosters around the league, this means that roughly .004% of the league is under 6 feet tall.
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What is a Good Height in the NBA?
Is 5′ 7″ height good for basketball in the NBA? The definition of a good height in the NBA will vary based on a variety of factors, most importantly, on the needs of a specific team.
As a general rule, however, players in specific positions need to adhere to a specific height range to be effective. Below is an ideal height for all 5 positions in the NBA.
Point Guards – 6 feet, 1 inch to 6 feet 3 inches
Shooting Guards – 6 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet 7 inches
Small Forwards – 6 feet, 5 inches to 6 feet 8 inches
Power Forward – 6 feet, 7 inches to 6 feet 9 inches
Centers – 6 feet, 9 inches to 7 feet
The Exceptions
It is important to note that there are exceptions to these general height ranges. For example, Magic Johnson was an oversized point guard at 6 feet, 9 inches, but ended up becoming arguably the greatest point guard of all time. Wes Unseld was an undersized center at just 6 feet, 7 inches tall, but ended up having a hall-of-fame career that spanned 13 seasons.
How do Current Heights in the NBA Compare to Previous Eras in the League?
The average NBA height of a player in today’s game has increased by about 2 inches since the early 50s when the average height was about 6 feet, 4 inches. The average NBA height by year steadily increased until 1987, when they peaked at about 6 feet, 7 inches tall. Since then, heights have gradually decreased to about 6 feet, 6 inches during the 2022-2023 NBA season.
Some of the tallest athletes in the world
NBA players are some of the tallest athletes in the world, with an average NBA height per player of about 6 feet, 6 inches. As a general rule, heights increase from point guard to center, with the average NBA height of a point guard being 6 feet, 2.5 inches, and the average NBA height of a center being 6 feet, 10 inches.
Although the average height for an NBA player rose significantly, from the early 50s to the mid-80s, it has since tapered as guard-based, transition play has begun to dominate the league.
