NBA Height and Wingspan
Height is the NBA's most valuable raw material, and centers have the most of it. These explainers cover the measurements behind the game: how tall NBA players are, what a wingspan is, how high players jump and why scouts care.
Where to start
Start with why Zach Edey is so tall, then check how tall you have to be to dunk. For individual players, we have wingspan and vertical leap numbers for Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Ja Morant.
If you want the tallest active players instead of the theory, the 7-foot prospect database lists every young center and big man we can find at 7 feet or taller.
NBA height and wingspan: questions and answers
How tall is the average NBA player?
About 6 feet 6 inches. The NBA has required teams to submit verified heights, measured without shoes, since the 2019-20 season.
How tall is the average NBA center?
Centers are the tallest position and average roughly 6 feet 10 to 6 feet 11. True 7-footers are less common than most fans assume, which is why NBA teams track them from a young age.
What is wingspan, and why does it matter?
Wingspan is the distance from fingertip to fingertip with the arms stretched out to the sides. Most people have a wingspan about equal to their height; NBA players are usually several inches longer. For a center, extra length means more blocked shots, more rebounds and easier finishes at the rim.
Who is the tallest player in NBA history?
Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol, both listed at 7 feet 7 inches. Among the prospects in our database, the tallest is Olivier Rioux, listed at 7'9" (UC Irvine).
Can you play center in the NBA if you are under 7 feet?
Yes. Many NBA centers are listed between 6 feet 9 and 6 feet 11. Bam Adebayo, an All-Star center, is listed at 6 feet 9. Long arms, strength and timing can make up for a few inches.
How tall do you have to be to dunk?
It depends on standing reach and vertical leap more than on height alone. Our guide to how tall you have to be to dunk works through the numbers.