Average NBA Height Revealed: Team Breakdowns and Positional Insights

This article was originally published on November 2, 2023, and then updated on April 20, 2024 to reflect the latest NBA roster data.

Key takeaways:

• The average NBA height of a player for the 2023-2024 season is 6 feet 6.5 inches.
• The Orlando Magic has the highest average NBA team height at 6 feet 7.1 inches.
• The Golden State Warriors have the lowest average NBA team height at 7 feet 5.4 inches.
• Not surprisingly, NBA players at the center position are, on average, taller than those who play other positions.

Regardless of the level, height is a significant advantage in basketball. I’m personally on the shorter end, so I get it– it’s a sad truth. But taller players have a more extended reach, allowing them to score and rebound or defend close to the basket.

That is certainly the case in the NBA. Even though some shorter players have the talent to excel and dominate the league (see Steph Curry and Damian Lillard), most NBA players are 6 feet 5 inches or taller. Only two players this NBA season are under six feet tall.

You’ve got the key takeaways on average NBA height from our calculations above. But there’s much more to know. In this article, we shed light on the average height of NBA players, providing a detailed and up-to-date breakdown by team and position and exploring how size plays a role in a player’s success and the strategies used by different teams.

Whether you’re a hardcore NBA fan or just curious about the physical attributes of your favorite athletes, we hope this article delivers some valuable insights that answer your questions about height in the NBA.

The Data Behind the Average NBA Height

We did the math! The average NBA height of a player for the 2023-2024 season is 6 feet 6.5 inches, about 9.5 inches taller than the average adult American man (5 feet 9 inches).

NBA players are roughly 6 inches taller than the average WNBA height of 6 feet 0.7 inches.

This figure represents the collective average, taking into account the height of every player in the league as of April 2024, regardless of their position or the team they play for. It serves as a baseline for understanding the typical stature of an NBA player in the league today.

Most Common NBA Height

Looking at the 2023-2024 roster data, we can see that only a few players this season are 6’0” or shorter. Most NBA players fall between 6’4” and 6’8”.

And during this 2023-2024 season, 31 NBA players are at least 7 feet tall. So, that means that 6% of players this year are seven-footers!

Learn more: Does playing basketball make you taller?

Breaking Down Heights: Tallest and Shortest NBA Players

In the NBA, height plays a significant role in a player’s career and how teams play. In this section, we look at the extremes of height in the NBA, highlighting the tallest and shortest players active in the league during the 2023-2024 season.

Tallest NBA Player

Towering at 7 feet 4 inches, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Boban Marjanović of the Houston Rockets share the title of the tallest NBA players for the 2023-2024 season.

Boban Marjanović, hailing from eastern Serbia, began his professional journey in his home country before making his NBA debut with the San Antonio Spurs in 2015. Over his eight-year tenure in the league, the seasoned center has played for various teams, including the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks. He currently lends his towering presence to the Houston Rockets, having signed a one-year contract extension.

Victor Wembanyama, a French professional basketball player, was the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, selected by the San Antonio Spurs. His entry into the NBA follows a promising start to his career in France, making him the first French player to be drafted first overall. Wembanyama now has the opportunity to build on the legacy of French Spurs legends like David Robinson and Tim Duncan.  

Shortest NBA Player

Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, Jacob Gilyard claims the title of the shortest NBA player for the 2023-2024 season, playing as a guard for the Brooklyn Nets.

Despite going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Gilyard signed with the Memphis Grizzlies but was then waived a few weeks later. He went on to secure a two-way contract with the Grizzlies in 2023, making his NBA debut in April of the same year against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After being waived by Memphis in 2024, he signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets, his current team.

Prior to his professional career, Gilyard showcased his skills at the University of Richmond, where he was a two-time NCAA season steals leader and Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. He remains the all-time Division I steals leader, with 466 steals over his college career.

Average Height by NBA Team

Height is a crucial factor in the NBA, influencing the ease of a player to shoot, defend, and rebound. In this section, we delve into the average heights of players across different NBA teams for the 2023-2024 season.

The 30 teams in the NBA are very similar in terms of average height. But, the Orlando Magic have a slight advantage as the tallest NBA team right now, while the shortest NBA team is the Golden State Warriors.

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks boast an average player height of 6 feet 6.48 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Clint Capela, Onyeka Okongwu, and Mouhamed Gueye, all standing at 6 feet 10 inches, are the tallest members of the team. On the other end of the spectrum, Trae Young stands at 6 feet 1 inch, making him the shortest player on the squad.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics’ players have an average height of 6 feet 7.0 inches for the current season. Kristaps Porzingis, towering at 7 feet 2 inches, is the tallest player on the roster, while JD Davison and Payton Pritchard, at 6 feet 1 inch, are the shortest.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have an average team height of 6 feet 5.90 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Nic Claxton, standing at 6 feet 11 inches, is the tallest player on the team. Jacob Gilyard, at 5 feet 8 inches, is the shortest players on the roster and in the league.

Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets’ players average out to a height of 6 feet 6.72 inches for the current season. Nick Richards, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Mark Williams, each standing at 7 feet 0 inches, are the tallest players on the team, while Seth Curry, at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have an average player height of 6 feet 6.36 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Andre Drummond, at 6 feet 11 inches, is the tallest player on the team, and Jevon Carter, at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers players have an average height of 6 feet 6.60 inches for the current season. Evan Mobley, standing at 6 feet 11 inches, is the tallest player on the team, while Darius Garland and Craig Porter, both at 6 feet 1 inch, are the shortest.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks’ team averages out to a height of 6 feet 6.72 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Dereck Lively II, at 7 feet 1 inch, is the tallest player on the team, and Brandon Williams, at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have an average player height of 6 feet 6.94 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Jay Huff, at 7 feet 1 inch, is the tallest player on the team, while Collin Gillespie, at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons’ players average out to a height of 6 feet 6.25 inches for the current season. James Wiseman, standing at 6 feet 11 inches, is the tallest player on the team, while Malachi Flynn, both at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have an average team height of 6 feet 5.46 inches for the 2023-2024 season, making them the shortest NBA squad this year. Dario Saric, at 6 feet 10 inches, is the tallest player on the team, while NBA veteran Chris Paul, at 6 feet 0 inches, is the shortest.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets’ players have an average height of 6 feet 6.99 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Boban Marjanovic, an impressive 7 feet 4 inches tall, shares the title of the tallest player in the NBA and leads the Rockets. Aaron Holiday and Fred VanVleet, both at 6 feet 0 inches, are the shortest players on the team.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have an average team height of 6 feet 6.36 inches for the current season. Myles Turner, standing tall at 6 feet 11 inches, is the tallest player on the roster, while T.J. McConnell, at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers’ players average out to a height of 6 feet 6.0 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Ivica Zubac, a towering 7 feet 0 inches, is the tallest player on the team, and Xavier Moon, at 6 feet 0 inches, is the shortest.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have an average player height of 6 feet 6.83 inches for the current season. Jaxson Hayes, standing at 7 feet 0 inches, is the tallest player on the team, while Gabe Vincent, at 6 feet 2 inches, is the shortest.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies’ team averages out to a height of 6 feet 5.95 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Santi Aldama, at 7 feet 0 inches, is the tallest player on the team, and Zavier Simpson, standing at 6 feet 0 inches, is the shortest player.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have an average player height of 6 feet 6.28 inches for the current season. Nikola Jovic, Orlando Robinson, and Thomas Bryant, all at 6 feet 10 inches, are the tallest players on the team, while Terry Rozier, at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks’ players average out to a height of 6 feet 6.22 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Brook Lopez, towering at 7 feet 1 inch, is the tallest players on the team, and Damian Lillard and Patrick Beverley, each at 6 feet 2 inches, are the shortest.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an average team height of 6 feet 6.53 inches for the current season. Rudy Gobert, standing at 7 feet 1 inch, is the tallest player on the team, while Jordan McLaughlin and Mike Conley, both at 6 feet 0 inches, are the shortest.

New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans’ players average out to a height of 6 feet 6.53 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Jonas Valanciunas and Cody Zeller, both at 6 feet 11 inches, are the tallest players on the team, and Jose Alvarado, at 6 feet 0 inches, is the shortest.

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have an average player height of 6 feet 6.38 inches for the current season. Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein, both standing at 7 feet 0 inches, are the tallest players on the team, while Miles McBride, at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s team averages out to a height of 6 feet 6.66 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Chet Holmgren, at 7 feet 1 inch, is the tallest player on the team, while Isaiah Joe, Adam Flagler, and Cason Wallace, all at 6 feet 3 inches, are the shortest.

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have an average player height of 6 feet 7.1 inches for the current season, giving them a height advantage over the rest of the league. Moritz Wagner, standing at 6 feet 11 inches, is the tallest player on the team, and Cole Anthony, at 6 feet 2 inches, is the shortest.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers’ players average out to a height of 6 feet 5.87 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Mo Bamba and Joel Embiid, both towering at 7 feet 0 inches, are the tallest players on the team, while Kyle Lowry, at 6 feet 0 inches, is the shortest.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns have an average team height of 6 feet 6.32 inches for the current season. Jusuf Nurkic, standing at an impressive 7 feet 0 inches, is the tallest player on the team, and Isaiah Thomas, at 5 feet 9 inches, is the shortest.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers’ players average out to a height of 6 feet 7.04 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Moses Brown, at 7 feet 2 inches, is the tallest player on the team, while Scoot Henderson, Ashton Hagans, and Anfernee Simons, all at 6 feet 3 inches, are the shortest. 

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have an average player height of 6 feet 6.28 inches for the current season. JaVale McGee and Alex Len, both standing at 7 feet 0 inches, are the tallest players on the team, and Davion Mitchell, at 6 feet 0 inches, is the shortest.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs’ players average out to a height of 6 feet 6.38 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Victor Wembanyama, an impressive 7 feet 4 inches tall, is the tallest player on the team and in the league, while Devonte’ Graham and Tre Jones, both at 6 feet 1 inch, are the shortest.

Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors have an average team height of 6 feet 6.93 inches for the current season. Jakob Poeltl, at 7 feet 0 inches, is the tallest player on the team, and Immanuel Quickley, standing at 6 feet 2 inches, is the shortest player.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz’s players average out to a height of 6 feet 6.55 inches for the 2023-2024 season. Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, both at 7 feet 0 inches, are the tallest players on the team, while Kira Lewis Jr., at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have an average player height of approximately 6 feet 6.59 inches for the current season. Tristan Vukcevic and Marvin Bailey III, both standing at 6 feet 10 inches, are the tallest player on the team, and Tyus Jones, at 6 feet 1 inch, is the shortest.

Learn more: How many NBA teams are there?

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The Tallest NBA Players of Today and All-Time Legends

Positional Breakdown: NBA Heights of Guards, Forwards, and Centers

In the fast-paced NBA, the height of a player can play a pivotal role in their performance and the impact they have on their team. The game has evolved over the years, and so has the physical makeup of the league’s players, particularly their height. 

Let’s look at the average NBA heights that define each primary position – guards, forwards, and centers. 

For athletes with multiple positions, such as Anthony Davis, who is listed at both forward and center, their heights are included in the average calculations for both positions.

Table 1: Average NBA Player Height by Position, 2023-2024 Season

Average Height of NBA Guards

NBA guards, typically the creators and ball handlers on the court, have an average height of 6 feet 4.18 inches. 

Traditionally, guards are among the shortest players on the team, focusing on agility, speed, and creating shots for teammates. There has been a noticeable increase in the height of players in this position, bringing a new dimension to their role.

Taller guards, of course, have the advantage of a longer reach. This can be beneficial for both offense and defense, allowing them to shoot over shorter defenders and disrupt passing lanes. It also allows them to better see the court to create passing situations.

Average Height of NBA Forwards

NBA forwards, often considered the most versatile players, have an average height of 6 feet 7.85 inches. 

This position requires a blend of strength, speed, and skill. Forwards are expected to be effective both inside the paint and on the perimeter. The increase in height for forwards has contributed to the position’s versatility, enabling them to match up against different opponents and take on varied roles.

Average Height of NBA Centers

NBA centers, traditionally the giants of the court, have an average height of 6 feet 10.72 inches. 

This position has always been dominated by taller players. Their height provides a significant advantage near the basket for both scoring and rebounding. 

In recent years, the role of centers has evolved. Many have developed skills beyond the traditional low-post play, such as shooting from the perimeter and handling the ball.

Learn more: What is a rebound in basketball?

Does Height Really Matter in the NBA?

Height in the NBA is a significant factor, but it’s not the sole determinant of a player’s success. Steph Curry was long overlooked because of his shorter stature and is now widely considered one of the best players in the NBA. Players of all heights have found ways to make a name for themselves in the league and positively impact their team.

• Short Players: Shorter NBA players often possess speed, agility, and ball-handling skills. And to get to where they’re at, they’ve become crafty and great decision-makers. They can navigate through defenses and create scoring opportunities. Notable examples include Chris Paul and the legendary Allen Iverson.

• Tall Players: Taller NBA players have an advantage in rebounding and shot-blocking. They can dominate in the paint, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Players like Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon have showcased this. Today, it’ll be fun to watch how rookie and number one draft pick Victor Wembanyama, at 7 feet 4 inches tall, creates a space for himself in the league.

• Skill Development: Height is an advantage, but skill can trump it. Any player who has made it to the NBA must continually work on their skills and add new abilities to their arsenal to remain competitive.

• Versatility: The modern NBA values versatility. Players who can perform multiple roles, regardless of their height, are hugely valuable to teams and highly sought after. LeBron James and Kevin Durant exemplify this trend—also Russell Westbrook, who, at 6 feet 4 inches, leads the league in all-time triple-doubles.

Learn more: What is a triple-double in basketball?

NBA Basics

Check out our NBA fan guide to learn more about NBA players, as well as the teams that make up the league.

FAQs

What is the average height in the NBA?

The average height of an NBA player for the 2023-2024 season is approximately 6 feet 6.5 inches, based on roster data from NBA.com.

How many 7 footers are in the NBA? 

As of the 2023-2024 season, there are 31 players in the NBA who are 7 feet or taller. The exact number of players standing 7 feet or taller can vary each season due to roster changes.

Is 5’7″ too short for the NBA?

While 5’7″ is below the average height for NBA players, height alone does not determine a player’s success. Markquis Nowell, who started the season with the Toronto Raptors, is 5’7″. In the past, players like Earl Boykins and Spud Webb had successful careers despite being shorter than the average NBA player.

Which NBA team has the tallest average height?

For the 2023-2024 season, the Orlando Magic has the tallest average team height. As of April 2024, the players on the Magic roster are an average height of 6 feet 7.10 inches.

Which NBA position has the highest average height?

Centers have the highest average height in the NBA, with an average of 6 feet 10.72 inches for the 2023-2024 season.

Has the average height in the NBA changed over the years?

The average height in the NBA has seen slight fluctuations over the years. Still, it has remained relatively consistent, hovering around 6 feet 7 inches.

Data Sources and Notes

To arrive at the current average NBA height, we aggregated the height data of each player on active 2023-2024 NBA rosters available at NBA.com. We then converted it to a consistent unit of measurement, and then calculated the overall average.

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