Ayrton Oneill
Height is a significant factor in basketball, with taller players having an advantage due to their shots having less distance to travel to the basket and their ability to reach higher and block shots. The average height of an NBA player has increased over the years, with players in 1952 being almost 3 inches shorter than today. The average height of an NBA player is 6'6 (1.98 m), which is about 8 inches taller than the average American male (5'9.5, 1.76 m). The average height of players in different positions varies, with point guards being shorter at 6'2.5 on average, and centers being the tallest players on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average height of an NBA player in 2022 | 6'6" or 198.6 cm |
| Average height of an NBA player in 2021 | 6'6" or 198.1 cm |
| Average height of an NBA player in 1952 | 3 inches shorter than in 2022 |
| Average height of an NBA player in 1987 | 6'7" or 201.2 cm |
| Average height of an NBA point guard in 2022 | 6'2.5" |
| Average height of an NBA small forward | 6'6.4" |
| Average height of an NBA power forward | 6'8.2" |
| Average height of an American male | 5'9.5" or 176 cm |
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What You'll Learn
Average height of an NBA player by position
The average height of an NBA player is around 6 feet 6.5 inches, which is about 9.5 inches taller than the average male in the crowd. This average height varies by position, with point guards being the shortest and centers being the tallest.
Point guards are often the shortest players on the court, with an average height of 6 feet 2.5 inches. Shooting guards are also typically shorter than the overall average height for NBA players.
Small forwards, despite their name, are slightly above the average height for NBA players, at 6 feet 6.4 inches. Some of the greatest small forwards in the history of the NBA have combined outstanding basketball skill and athleticism with height and power, including LeBron James (6'9"), Larry Bird (6'9"), and Scottie Pippen (6'8").
Power forwards are expected to rebound, set screens, and play closer to the basket than guards and small forwards. They have an average height of 6 feet 8.2 inches. In the modern game, it's not uncommon to see power forwards with the skills of a guard but the height of a center, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo (6'11"), Kevin Garnett (6'11"), and Kevin Durant (6'11").
Centers are the tallest players on the court, with an average height of 6 feet 10.3 inches to 6 feet 11.3 inches. Their primary responsibilities are to rebound, set screens, block shots, and score in the paint. While there are plenty of 7-foot-tall centers in the NBA, shorter players can also make an impact at this position.
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Average height of an NBA player over the years
The average height of an NBA player has changed over the years, with players generally increasing in height until the late 1980s and then seeing a slight decrease in recent years.
In the early years of the NBA, players were shorter than they are today. For example, during the 1952/53 season, point guards averaged around 6 feet in height, with the average height of all players being almost 3 inches less than it is today. By the 1986/87 season, the average player height had peaked at 6'7.2" (201.2 cm), which is also the tallest average height recorded in the NBA. This era was known as the time of the “big men".
Since the late 1980s, the average height of NBA players has fluctuated slightly but generally remained around 6'6" to 6'9". In the 2002/2003 season, the average height was recorded as 6'6.9", and by the 2021/22 season, it was 6'6" (198.6 cm). This slight decrease in height can be attributed to the game becoming faster and more perimeter-oriented, requiring players to be more agile and leaner. Additionally, the league has shifted its focus from an over-reliance on height to skill and athleticism.
It is worth noting that the distribution of heights within the NBA is important to consider. While the average height might be around 6'6" to 6'9", the majority of players fall within the range of 6'3" to 6'9". There are also outliers, with some players being as short as 5'3" and others reaching heights above 7 feet.
The height of NBA players has been a topic of discussion and speculation, with some sources even suggesting that players' heights were inflated before 2018 due to measurements being taken with basketball shoes on. However, starting with the 2019-2020 season, NBA teams were required to submit height measurements taken without shoes.
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Average height of an NBA team vs win rate
The average height of an NBA player has been a topic of interest for many basketball fans and analysts. In the 2023-2024 season, the average height of an NBA player was around 6'6" (1.994m), with 69 players listed at this average height. This number is calculated from 537 players on NBA rosters, including G League Two Way players.
While the average height of NBA players has increased over time, there has been a slight decrease in recent years. The peak average height was reached in the 1986-87 season at 6'7.2", or 201.2cm. This can be attributed to the era's focus on "big men" and the dominance of taller players.
However, in recent years, the NBA has moved away from an overreliance on height. The game has become faster and more perimeter-oriented, favoring adaptable, positionless lineups that blend size and agility. As a result, the average height of NBA players has stabilized, and teams have prioritized wingspan over pure height.
When it comes to the correlation between team height and win rate, there is only a slight correlation historically. Taller teams like the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic have achieved mid-tier success, while exceptionally tall but poorly performing teams like Washington underscore the paradox. The Boston Celtics, the team with the highest win rate in the 2023-24 season, is the third tallest team, showcasing that height can be an advantage but is not the sole determinant of success.
In the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets had the tallest rosters, with average heights of 6'7.68" and 6'7.13", respectively. However, height alone doesn't guarantee success, as seen with Portland's win rate, which emphasizes the need for a balanced skill set. Modern strategies, such as defensive versatility and perimeter dominance, prove that adaptability, shooting efficiency, and roster balance often outweigh sheer height in today's NBA.
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Height distribution among players
Height is a significant factor in basketball, with taller players having an advantage due to their shots having less distance to travel to the basket, being closer to the rebound, and having a better chance of blocking shorter opponents' shots. The average height of an NBA player has increased over the years, with players in 1952 being almost 3 inches shorter than today.
The average height of an NBA player in the 2021-2022 season was 6'6" (198.6 cm), which is about 8 inches taller than the average American male (5'9 1/2" or 176 cm). However, this average height only tells half the story, as it doesn't reveal how height is distributed among players.
A look at the height distribution of NBA players reveals that those at 6'5" are the most common, accounting for 13.7% of all minutes played. There is a large concentration of players between 6'4" and 6'8", who make up over half of all minutes played. At the extremes, there were only 21 players at 6 feet or below (2.5% of playing time) and 29 players at 7 feet or taller (4.6%) during the 2021-2022 season.
The average height of players also varies depending on their position. Point guards are generally shorter, with an average height of 6'2.5" as of 2022, while centers are usually the tallest players on the court. Small forwards, despite their name, have an average height slightly above the overall average at 6'6.4". Power forwards have an intimidating stature, with an average height of 6'8.2", which is nearly a foot taller than the average American male.
The trend in recent years has been a slight decrease in player heights, which may be due to the game becoming faster and more perimeter-oriented, requiring players to be leaner and more agile. Additionally, the focus has shifted from an overreliance on height to a greater emphasis on skill development.
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Average height of college basketball players
The average height of college basketball players has been a topic of interest for many basketball enthusiasts. Over the years, the average height of college basketball players has increased, with the game evolving to emphasize different skills and strategies.
In the 1940s, the average height of college basketball players was around 6 feet 4 inches, earning the University of California team the nickname "The Tall Redwoods of California." At that time, anyone taller than 6 feet 6 inches was considered a novelty or a rarity. However, as time passed and the game evolved, the average height started to increase.
By 2016, the average height of college basketball players had increased to just under 6 feet 5 inches, according to an analysis of NCAA I men's team rosters for the 2016-2017 season. The most common listed height was 6 feet 7 inches, with a range of heights from 5 feet 5 inches to 7 feet 6 inches. It's worth noting that international players made up about 15% of the rosters but accounted for a disproportionately higher percentage of players 6 feet 9 inches and above.
The average height of starters in the national championship game has also been analysed, showing an increase of roughly 3.5 inches since the start of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. However, in recent years, with the game focusing more on 3-point shooting, positional versatility, and small-ball lineups, the average height of starters in the national championship game has slightly decreased.
While height can be an advantage in basketball, it is not the only factor that determines success. Players of varying heights have achieved greatness in the sport, with successful NBA players such as Allen Iverson (6 feet), John Stockton (6 feet 1 inch), and Chris Paul (6 feet 1 inch) excelling despite being shorter than the average height of NBA players, which is around 6 feet 6 inches.
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Frequently asked questions
The average height of an NBA player is 6'6" (1.98m) without shoes, or 6'7.2" (201.2cm) with shoes.
The average height of an NBA player is around 8 inches taller than the average American male.
The average height of an NBA player has increased by roughly 3.5 inches since 1952. The tallest decade was the mid-80s, with the average height peaking in 1986/87. Since then, the average height has decreased slightly.
As of 2022, the average height of an NBA point guard was 6'2.5", while small forwards had an average height of 6'6.4". Power forwards are the tallest position, with an average height of 6'8.2".
