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 Stathead, out of 456 active players, the average height of an NBA player is 6 feet 6.58 inches (199.59 centimeters).
That’s over 4 inches taller than the average NFL player, 4.79 inches taller than the average MLB player, and 9.48 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 Guard
- Average Height of an NBA Forward
- Average Height of an NBA Center
- What About Undersized Players?
Average Height of an NBA Guard
The average height of an NBA guard is 6 feet 4.44 inches (194.15 centimeters).
Guard sees the most disparity in height – with an entire 14 inches separating the tallest from the smallest.
Ben Simmons (6’10”) stands over a foot above Yuki Kawamura (5’8”), the league’s smallest active player.
RELATED: The Average Height of WNBA Players & How They Measure Up to The NBA
Average Height of an NBA Forward
The average height of an NBA forward is 6 feet 8.33 inches (204.04 centimeters).
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″, Jae’Sean Tate is the shortest forward in the NBA today. The 2021 NBA All-Rookie First Teamer is 8 inches shorter than Lauri Markkanen (7’0″), who is among the tallest forwards in the game.
RELATED: Breaking Down the Average Height of NFL Players (By Position)
Average Height of an NBA Center
The average height of an NBA center is 6 feet 11.3 inches (211.58 centimeters).
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 6’8″, Daniel Theis is the smallest center in the NBA today. The 4-time Basketball Bundesliga All-Star is a full 8 inches smaller than fellow center Victor Wembanyama, the league’s tallest player (7’4″).
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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