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How Tall is the Average WNBA Player? Broken Down by Position

You’ll be surprised by what the data says about 33% of the league.

Caitlin Clark on the cover of our deep dive into the average height of WNBA players right now
WNBA/Joker Mag

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 commitment 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 179 active players, the average height of a WNBA player is 6 feet 0.79 inches (184.89 centimeters), marking a slight +0.1% increase since 2023.

Here’s a complete breakdown of the average WNBA height by position – plus a bonus for undersized ballers seeking inspiration.

Average Height of a WNBA Center

Han Xu was the tallest center in the WNBA, measuring in at 6 feet 11 inches tall

The average height of a WNBA center is 6 feet 4.92 inches (195.38 centimeters), marking a +12.6% increase over the past two seasons.

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 6’9″, Brittney Griner is the tallest center (and player) in the WNBA today. The 2013 first overall pick is a full 6 inches taller than 6’3″ center Kiah Stokes.

Average Height of a WNBA Forward

WNBA guard Gabby Williams stands at 5'11", making her one of the shortest guards in the league.

The average height of a WNBA forward is 6 feet 2.45 inches (189.09 centimeters), which is up +20% since 2023.

Of course, there’s overlap between small forwards who also play the 2, which explains the lower average height than you’d expect.

Listed at 6’6″, Azurá Stevens is the tallest forward in the WNBA. The former first-round draft pick is an entire 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

Dana Evans is nearly 7 inches shorter than the average WNBA guard

The average height of a WNBA guard is 5 feet 10.01 inches (177.82 centimeters). This is actually down -3% from the 2023 season, where the average height was a hair over 6 feet.

5’4″ guard Mai Yamamoto is the shortest guard in the league, measuring 10 inches shorter than 6’2″ guard Rhyne Howard. Despite the height difference, both guards share the same professional court.

Guard remains the league’s shortest position group by far – featuring 57 players listed under 6 feet tall.

What About Undersized Players?

There are a total of 59 players listed under 6 feet tall in the WNBA. That’s more than 33% 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 the legend Elena Delle Donne once said, “You cannot achieve unless you believe in yourself. You are more capable than you think.”

WNBA Height FAQs

How do WNBA heights compare to NBA heights at each position group?

NBA players are, on average, 5.79 inches taller than WNBA players. The average NBA player is 6 feet 6.58 inches compared to the average WNBA player, who stands 6 feet 0.79 inches.

What is the largest height difference on a WNBA team?

The Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream are tied for the biggest height disparity in the league.

For the Wings, there is a 15-inch height difference between 5’4″ guard Mai Yamamot and 6’7″ center Teaira McCowan. It’s the same for the Dream, with 6’9″ Brittney Griner and her teammate 5’6″ Jordin Canada.

What is the median height of WNBA players?

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.

How does the average WNBA height compare to other women’s sports?

The WNBA obviously skews to the taller side of women’s sports. However, you might be surprised to learn that the average women’s volleyball player is about 2.42 inches taller than the average WNBA player.

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Written By

Division III baseball alum (McDaniel College), founder of Joker Mag, and author of The Underdog Mentality: Sports Stories That Will Change How You See the Game (And Yourself). Since launching in November 2017, my stories have been featured on platforms such as FOX Sports, SB Nation, and The Sporting News, reaching over 1.5 million readers worldwide. The seed was planted way back in 7th grade when I got cut from the baseball team. Instead of giving up, I found hope and inspiration in stories of undersized athletes who defied expectations. I ultimately played baseball through college, earning Honorable Mention on the All-Centennial Conference team in my senior season. Today, my mission is simple: To share stories that give people the same feeling I felt when I was that undersized ballplayer searching for hope, inspiration, and evidence that my dream was possible. Like my mom always told me, you can do anything you set your mind to. Sometimes we just need a little extra push. And that’s why I’m so passionate about sharing these stories with the world.

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