5-time WNBA All-Star Breanna Stewart once said, “You have to love your sport. Your passion and dedication can’t be some-time, part-time, or spare-time. It has to be all-time.”
That quote embodies the Women’s National Basketball Association. Since its founding in 1996, the league and its players have earned respect and national attention because of their unwavering dedication to growing the sport.
Viewership has trended upward in recent years because of the exciting athletes on the court. But how tall do you need to be to reach the top level of women’s basketball?
According to official data from WNBA.com, out of 161 active players, the average height of a WNBA player is 6 feet 0.65 inches (184.55 centimeters).
Here is a complete breakdown of the average height by position – plus a bonus for undersized ballers seeking inspiration.
- Average Height of a WNBA Center
- Average Height of a WNBA Forward
- Average Height of a WNBA Guard
- What About Undersized Players?
- WNBA Height FAQs
Average Height of a WNBA Center
The average height of a WNBA center is 6 feet 4.37 inches (193.99 centimeters).
As the tallest position on the team, the center’s job is to protect the rim and snatch rebounds. But while there are plenty of tall centers in the WNBA, we’re also seeing shorter players make an impact.
At 6’11″, Han Xu is the tallest center (and player) in the WNBA today. The 2019 second-round pick is an entire 8 inches taller than 6’3″ centers Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Megan Gustafson.
Average Height of a WNBA Forward
The average height of a WNBA forward is 6 feet 2.04 inches (188.07 centimeters).
Of course, there’s overlap between small forwards who also play the 2, which explains the lower average height than you’d expect.
Both listed at 6’6″, Jonquel Jones and Awak Kuier are tied for the title of tallest forward in the WNBA. The pair of first-round draft picks are a full 7 inches taller than 5’11” forwards Alysha Clark and Gabby Williams.
RELATED: Breaking Down The Average Height of NBA Players (By Position)
Average Height of a WNBA Guard
The average height of a WNBA guard is 6 feet 0.12 inches (183.19 centimeters).
5’5″ guard Crystal Dangerfield is the shortest guard in the league, measuring an entire foot shorter than 6’5″ guard Elena Delle Donne. Astoundingly, both guards won WNBA Rookie of the Year in their respective rookie seasons – proving that height is only a number.
Guard is also the league’s shortest position group – featuring 57 players listed under 6 feet tall.
What About Undersized Players?
There are a total of 60 players listed under 6 feet tall in the WNBA. That’s more than 37% of the entire league!
So yes, if you’re on the shorter side, you can still reach the sport’s highest level. If you can ball, you can ball.
As Elena Delle Donne once said, “You cannot achieve unless you believe in yourself. You are more capable than you think.”
WNBA Height FAQs
NBA players are, on average, 4 to 4.5 inches taller than WNBA players.
The average NBA center stands 6 feet 8.86 inches, which is 4.49 inches taller than the average WNBA center (6 feet 4.37 inches).
The typical NBA forward is 6 feet 6.57 inches, which is 4.53 inches taller than the average WNBA forward (6 feet 2.04 inches).
The average NBA guard is 6 feet 4.18 inches, which is 4.06 inches taller than the typical WNBA guard (6 feet 0.12 inches).
The New York Liberty boasts the biggest height disparity in the league. There is a 15-inch height difference between 6’11” center Han Xu and 5’8″ guard Courtney Vandersloot.
The median height of all WNBA players is 6’1″ (185.42) centimeters. As a reminder, the median is the middle value in a set of data.
The WNBA obviously skews to the taller side of women’s sports. However, the average women’s volleyball player is about 0.72 inches taller than the average WNBA player.
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