At the heart of the WNBA’s success lies a diverse group of talented players, each contributing their unique strengths to their teams. From step-backs to three-pointers, the league brings together some of the best hoopers in the world.
One intriguing aspect of these athletes is their heights, which significantly shape both individual playing styles and team strategies. And while their heights vary, WNBA players stand markedly taller than the average woman in the United States.
The average WNBA height of a player is 6 feet 0.7 inches, based on our calculations using 2023 height data provided by WNBA.com.
While intriguing on its own, this statistic also paves the way for a deeper dive into the WNBA player heights. In the following sections, we’ll explore the tallest and shortest players in the WNBA, delve into how player height breaks down by team and position, and even explore how height influences the game today.
Average Height in the WNBA
Let’s start by tackling a question that often pops up when we’re chatting about the WNBA: “How tall are WNBA players on average?”
After crunching the numbers using the height information from WNBA.com, it turns out the average height of a WNBA player is 6 feet 0.7 inches.
As you would expect, WNBA professional basketball players are on average taller than the general population. As a group, WNBA players are 8 inches taller than the average woman in the United States (5 feet 4 inches).
WNBA players stand roughly 6 inches shorter than the average NBA height of 6 feet 6.5 inches.
Learn more: Who is the oldest WNBA player?
Methodology: Collecting and Analyzing Data
To unveil an accurate analysis of average WNBA height, we reviewed each team’s up-to-date roster data provided by the WNBA website. The process provided a comprehensive representation of the league’s current landscape while also allowing us to examine average height by team and position.
We first recorded the height of each player in inches. We summated all recorded heights in inches for the league height average, and then divided these totals by the total number of active players. At the time of our analysis, on 8/31/23, there were 132 active WNBA players across the league’s 12 teams.
It’s important to acknowledge the inherent limitations of our analysis:
- The dynamic nature of WNBA rosters, characterized by player rotations due to injuries, personal circumstances, and team dynamics, introduces the potential for variability in the dataset. As a result, this analysis represents a snapshot in time.
- Also, roster sizes varied between 11 to 14 players, introducing an element of heterogeneity in the sample.
The Tallest Player in the WNBA
Standing at an impressive 6 feet 11 inches, New York Liberty center Han Xu is the tallest current player in the WNBA in 2023.
Born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, Han Xu was selected by the New York Liberty as the 14th overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft. She is the first Chinese player to be drafted into the league in over two decades, and her selection at the young age of 19 marked her as the youngest player in her draft class.
Since joining the New York Liberty, she etched her name in the franchise’s history by setting a record for the most consecutive field goals made, 10 out of 10. In 2022, she was the team leader in field goal percentage, boasting 49.3% accuracy from the floor.
The Shortest Player in the WNBA
Crystal Dangerfield, at 5 feet 5 inches, is the shortest current player in the 2023 WNBA season. She currently plays guard for the Dallas Wings.
Drafted 16th overall by the Minnesota Lynx in 2020, Crystal Dangerfield earned Rookie of the Year and WNBA All-Rookie Team honors following her first season in the league. She also played for New York and Indiana before landing with New York.
Before her professional career in the WNBA, she played at the University of Connecticut and was a two-time AAC first-team selection in 2019 and 2020.
Breaking Down Average Height by Team
The 12 teams in the 2023 WNBA season (see our WNBA teams map) are similar when it comes to average height. Let’s look at how average WNBA height stacks up at a team level.
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream has a team average height of 6 feet 0.07 inches. Monique Billings, Cheyenne Parker, and Illiana Rupert share the title of tallest, and each stands at 6 feet 4 inches. At 5 feet 6 inches, Aari McDonald is the shortest on the team.
Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky has a team average height of 6 feet 0.08 inches. The team’s trio of Morgan Bertsch, Ruthy Hebard, and Alanna Smith are the tallest on the team, all at 6 feet 4 inches. The shortest is Dana Evans, at 5 feet 6 inches.
Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun has a team average height of 6 feet 0.14 inches, giving them a slight height advantage over the rest of the league. Olivia Nelson-Ododa is the tallest on the team at 6 feet 5 inches, while Natisha Hiedeman is the shortest at 5 feet 8 inches.
Dallas Wings
The Dallas Wings have a team average height of 6 feet 0.08 inches. Kalani Brown and Teaira McCowan, both at 6 feet 7 inches, are the tallest. Crystal Dangerfield, the shortest player in the league now, stands at 5 feet 5 inches.
Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever has a team average height of 6 feet 0.05 inches. At 6 feet 5 inches, Aaliyah Boston is the tallest on the team and brings a new commanding presence to the court. Erica Wheeler is the shortest at 5 feet 7 inches, counterbalancing the height profile.
Las Vegas Aces
The Las Vegas Aces have a team average height of 6 feet 0.03 inches. A’ja Wilson, standing at 6 feet 4 inches, leads the charge as the team’s tallest player. On the shorter end of the spectrum, Riquna Williams is 5 feet 7 inches.
See more: Our list of top A’ja Wilson shirts
Los Angeles Sparks
The Los Angeles Sparks have a team average height of 6 feet 0.98 inches. Azurá Stevens, towering at 6 feet 5 inches, is the tallest on the team. Jordin Canada is the shortest at 5 feet 6 inches.
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx has a team average height of 6 feet 0.05 inches. Dorka Juhász, at 6 feet 5 inches, stands tallest on the team. Lindsay Allen, at 5 feet 8 inches, is the shortest.
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty has a team average height of 6 feet 0.11 inches. Han Xu, currently the tallest player in the entire league, stands at 6 feet 11 inches. Courtney Vanderssloot is 5 feet 8 inches and shortest on the team.
Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury have a team average height of 6 feet 0 inches. Brittney Griner stands tallest for the Mercury at 6 feet 9 inches. Moriah Jefferson, at 5 feet 6 inches, is the shortest on the team.
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm have a team average height of 6 feet 0.83 inches. Mercedes Russell adds a height advantage at 6 feet 6 inches and is the tallest on the team. Yvonne Turner and Sami Whitcomb are the shortest on the squad at 5 feet 10 inches.
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics have a team average height of 6 feet 0.03 inches. Tallest on the team are Shakira Austin and Elena Delle Donne, each standing at 6 feet 5 inches. Meanwhile, Kristi Toliver, at 5 feet 7 inches, is the shortest on the roster.
Average WNBA Height by Position
Let’s now delve into the heights that define each primary position in the WNBA – guards, forwards, and centers.
For athletes with multiple positions, such as Candace Parker, who is listed at both forward and center, their heights are included in the average calculations for both positions.
Average Height of a WNBA Guard
WNBA guards have an average height of 5 feet 9.5 inches. While standing a bit shorter, guards often stand tall in their ability to penetrate defenses, facilitate plays, shoot from outside, and bring the ball up the floor under pressure.
Average Height of a WNBA Forward
WNBA forwards have an average height of 6 feet 2.5 inches, bridging the gap between guards and centers. Players in this position often epitomize versatility, with the ability to drive to the hoop, take outside shots, post up, and defend the perimeter and the paint.
Average Height of a WNBA Center
With an average height of 6 feet 4.2 inches, WNBA centers tend to embody a commanding presence in the paint. You can often find them blocking shots, hauling in rebounds, and setting screens for their teammates.
Does Average WNBA Height Matter?
Height certainly offers valuable advantages for players in the WNBA. With a longer reach, tall WNBA players can pull down more rebounds, get into passing lanes and block shots, and score more efficiently. These genetic advantages make taller players more likely to earn a roster spot in the WNBA.
But, a player’s height alone doesn’t determine their success in the league.
Michael Cooper, former head coach for the Los Angeles Sparks who helped the team reach the WNBA playoffs for the first time, once said, “The fun part of the WNBA League is that your athletic ability and talent is not determined on height. Having talent and knowledge of the game is extremely important. As long as you have these entities, height requirements are considered somewhat irrelevant.”
Countless examples of shorter players have found success in the league. Think of former WNBA greats such as Becky Hammon (5’6”), and Briann January (5’8”). Today, you’ve got shorter players like Arike Ogunbowale (5’8”), Crystal Dangerfield (5’5”), and Dana Evans (5’6”), who are making their mark. Sue Bird, at just 5’9”, is among the players who have won the most WNBA Championships.
Players in the WNBA have consistently shown that size doesn’t define skill or determine success.
More WNBA Player Facts
Our comprehensive WNBA guide offers even more information about WNBA players, including how many dunks there have been in WNBA history.
