Everyone knows that the NBA is populated by big stars.
No, we are not referring to the size and brightness of their star power.
The league is quite literally filled with large men.
That’s just the nature of basketball, it doesn’t make a lot of space for shorter players.
Fun OFFICIAL measurements w/o shoes:
•7’2.5—Kristaps
•6’11.75—Embiid/Jokic
•6’11—Mobley/KAT/Giannis
•6’9.75—JJJ/Turner/MPJ
•6’9—JA, Paolo, Franz
•6’8.75—WCJ, Bam, Deni, Bron
•6’8—OO, Giddey, RW III
•6’5.75—Draymond, Zion
•6’1.25—Spida
•6’0—Davion, FVV
•5’11.75—Lowry pic.twitter.com/JFKeaOBaEz— NBA University (@NBA_University) October 18, 2022
The league is nearly as tall as it’s ever been as the 2022-23 season kicks off.
But who are the biggest names in the game?
When you compare modern NBA stars without shoes, you find that Kristaps Porzingis of the Washington Wizards has the most towering height at 7-feet-2.5 inches.
He is followed by both Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, who are both 6-feet-11.75 inches.
Other notably tall guys are Evan Mobley and Giannis Antetokounmpo (6’11”), Ja Morant (6’9″), Draymond Green and Zion Williamson (6’5.75″).
Kyle Lowry of the Miami Heat comes in at the lower end of the spectrum at 5’11.75″.
Has the league really gotten bigger than ever before?
The Big Boys Of Basketball
The fact that Lowry is shorter at 5-foot-11 says all you need to know about the size of the league.
Over the years, the league has in fact gotten taller – but it’s gotten stronger too.
Now it is not uncommon to see a huge player like Antetokounmpo do more than just block and defend.
He has in fact found a pretty good three-point stroke and is dangerous on both ends of the court.
However, in the past, guys of that size were known solely for their defensive skill and their dunking abilities.
The fact that the league is bigger is impressive but the fact that it’s bigger and better is even more incredible.
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