Basketball is a tall man’s game. But how tall do you have to be to reach the top of the sport?
According to official data from NBA.com, out of 501 active players, the average height of an NBA player is 6 feet 6.5 inches (199.62 centimeters) for the 2022-23 season.
That’s over 4 inches taller than the average NFL player, 4.71 inches taller than the average MLB player, and 9 inches taller than the average American male (5 feet 9.1 inches).
Here is a complete breakdown of the average height by position – plus a bonus for undersized ballers searching for inspiration.
- Average Height of an NBA Center
- Average Height of an NBA Forward
- Average Height of an NBA Guard
- What About Undersized Players?
Average Height of an NBA Center
The average height of an NBA center is 6 feet 8.86 inches (205.4 centimeters) for the 2022-23 season.
Notoriously the tallest position on the team, a center’s job is to protect the basket and snatch rebounds. But while there are plenty of 7-foot centers in the NBA, we’re also seeing smaller players make an impact.
At 6’7″, Montrezl Harrell is the smallest center in the NBA today. The 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year is an entire 9 inches smaller than fellow center Boban Marjanović, the league’s tallest player (7’4″).
Average Height of an NBA Forward
The average height of an NBA forward is 6 feet 6.57 inches (199.56 centimeters) for the 2022-23 season.
There’s plenty of overlap between small forwards who also play the 2, which explains the lower average height than most would expect.
At 6’4″, Malaki Branham is the shortest forward in the NBA today. The 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year is a whole 11 inches shorter than Kristaps Porzingis (7’3″), who is the tallest forward in the game.
RELATED: Breaking Down the Average Height of NFL Players (By Position)
Average Height of an NBA Guard
The average height of an NBA guard is 6 feet 4.18 inches (193.52 centimeters) for the 2022-23 season.
Guard sees the most disparity in height – with an entire foot separating the tallest from the smallest. Ben Simmons (6’10”) stands 12 inches above Facundo Campazzo (5’10”), the league’s smallest point guard.
RELATED: The Average Height of WNBA Players & How They Measure Up to The NBA
What About Undersized Players?
If you’re a young basketball player reading this list, it’s easy to get discouraged. But these numbers don’t tell the whole story.
In fact, there are plenty of short guys who succeeded at the NBA level.
Take Earl Boykins, for example. He was so small that his dad would sneak him into their local rec center in his gym bag. At 5-foot-5 and 135 pounds, he spent the better part of two decades in the NBA.
Hungry for more? Check out our list of over 15 of the shortest NBA players of all-time. There are plenty of underdog stories that will show you what’s possible.
Sure, height helps. But your heart is what counts the most.
RELATED: Inspirational Basketball Quotes to Help You Level Up Your Game
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