Do you want to know about the average height of WNBA player? Many people ask this question. The WNBA was founded in 1996, and its first season was in 1997.
The average height of WNBA player is 6 feet 1 inch tall. Some players are taller. Some players are shorter. But 6 feet is the average.
This number comes from official data. The league keeps track of how tall all players are. The average height went up a little bit in 2024.
Average Height Of WNBA Player by Position?
Different jobs on the basketball team need different heights. Let’s look at each position.
Average Height of WNBA Centers
Centers are the tallest players. The average height of WNBA center is 6 feet 5 inches.
Centers play close to the basket. They need to be tall to block shots. They also get rebounds. A rebound is when you catch the ball after someone misses a shot.
Brittney Griner, at 6’9”, is among the tallest active players. Brittney Griner plays for a team called Phoenix Mercury. She is really good at basketball.
Average Height of WNBA Forwards?
Forwards are not as tall as centers. But they are not as short as guards. The average height of WNBA forwards is 6 feet 2 inches.
Forwards do many things in basketball. They shoot the ball. They pass the ball. They also help get rebounds.
Some forwards are 6 feet 6 inches tall. Some forwards are only 5 feet 11 inches tall. Both short and tall forwards can be good players.
Average Height of WNBA Guards
Guards are usually the shortest players on the team. The average height of WNBA guards is 5 feet 10 inches.
Guards are very important. They move the ball around the court. They also shoot from far away. Many guards are really fast.
The tallest guard is 6 feet 2 inches tall. Historically, some guards have been as short as 5’4”, but the shortest active guard is 5’5”. That is a big difference!
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Average Height of WNBA Player vs NBA Player
The NBA is the basketball league for men. NBA players are taller than WNBA players.
The average NBA player is about 6’6” to 6’7” tall. The average WNBA player is about 6 feet tall. That means NBA players are about 6 inches taller.
This is normal. Men are usually taller than women. Both leagues have great basketball players.
Here is how they compare:
- NBA centers: about 6 feet 11 inches tall
- WNBA centers: about 6 feet 5 inches tall
- Average NBA: guards are also taller than WNBA guards
Tallest WNBA Players Ever
Who Was the Tallest WNBA Player Ever?
Margo Dydek was the tallest WNBA player ever. She was 7 feet 2 inches tall! That is really, really tall.
Dydek was from Poland. She played basketball from 1998 to 2008. She was great at blocking shots because she was so tall.
Right now, Brittney Griner is the tallest active player. She is 6 feet 9 inches tall. She is one of the tallest WNBA players in history.
Who Are the Shortest WNBA Players?
Shannon Bobbitt was the shortest WNBA player ever. She was only 5 feet 2 inches tall. That is shorter than most people!
She played basketball from 2008 to 2012. Even though she was short, she was still good enough to play professional basketball.
The league’s shortest active player now is Crystal Dangerfield. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall. She plays for the Dallas Wings.
Good News: Short Players Can Play Too
Here is some great news. Many WNBA players are not very tall. In fact, 59 players are under 6 feet tall. That is 1 out of every 3 players!
This means you don’t have to be super tall to play basketball well. The average height of WNBA player might be 6 feet, but many good players are shorter.
If you are good at basketball, your height doesn’t matter as much. Skills are more important than being tall.
How Heights Have Changed Over Time
The average height increased in the league’s early years but has stayed fairly steady since the mid-2000s. Players today are taller than players from the 2005 WNBA season.
In 2023, the average was a little lower than now. The 2023 season showed that teams want taller players, especially forwards.
But guards have stayed about the same height. This shows that short players are still important for basketball teams.
WNBA vs NBA: Both Are Great
When people talk about WNBA and NBA, they often compare heights. But height is just one thing that is different.
Both leagues have amazing basketball players. The WNBA has grown a lot in recent years. More people watch the games now.
WNBA stars like Elena Delle Donne show that skill is most important. She won the WNBA MVP award. MVP means Most Valuable Player. She is not the tallest player, but she is one of the best.
What Heights Do You Need for Each Position?
If you want to play in the WNBA someday, here is what you should know about height by position:
Centers: Usually need to be at least 6 feet 2 inches tall Forwards: Usually around 6 feet tall or taller Guards: Can be shorter – many are under 6 feet tall
But remember, being good at basketball is about more than just height. You need to practice a lot. You need to learn the game. You need to work hard.
Height vs Skills in Professional Basketball
In professional basketball, both height and skills matter. Tall players can do some things easier. They can reach higher. They can block shots better.
But shorter players are often faster. They can shoot better from far away. They are often better at handling the ball.
Many players who are not the tallest have had great careers. They worked really hard on their skills. They studied basketball. They found ways to help their teams win games.
The WNBA Draft and Player Height
Every year, teams pick new players in the WNBA draft. Height is one thing they look at. But it is not the only thing.
Teams also want players who:
- Can shoot the ball well
- Are good teammates
- Work hard every day
- Understand basketball
College basketball players of all heights get picked every year. This shows that teams care about more than just height.
Women’s Basketball Around the World
The WNBA gets players from many different countries. These players come from places where women’s basketball is popular.
Some countries have people who are taller on average. Some countries have people who are shorter on average. This makes the WNBA more interesting.
Players from all over the world bring different skills to the league.
Famous WNBA Players and How Tall They Are
Let’s look at some WNBA stars and their heights:
- Brittney Griner: 6 feet 9 inches (Phoenix Mercury)
- Breanna Stewart: 6 feet 4 inches (New York Liberty)
- A’ja Wilson: 6 feet 4 inches (Las Vegas Aces)
- Diana Taurasi: 6 feet (Phoenix Mercury)
- Sue Bird: 5 feet 9 inches (retired player)
These players show that you can be successful at different heights. All of them are All-Star players. All-Star means they are among the best players in the league.
What All the Numbers Tell Us
When we look at all the height numbers, we learn some things:
- The median height of all WNBA players is 6 feet 1 inch
- About 1 out of 3 players are under 6 feet tall
- Centers are getting taller each year
- Guards stay about the same height
- Players range from 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 9 inches tall
The median height is the middle number when you put all heights in order.
Comparing NBA and WNBA Heights
The height of NBA players is different from the height of a WNBA player. NBA players are taller.
An average NBA player is about 6 inches taller than the average WNBA player. This makes sense because men are usually taller than women.
But both leagues have the best basketball players in the world. Height is just one difference between them.
What Will Happen to Heights in the Future?
What will happen to player heights in the future? The average height of NBA player has gone up over time. The same thing might happen in the WNBA.
But the WNBA will always have room for players of different heights. Things like shooting and passing will always be important.
Basketball is changing. Teams now want players who can do many different things on the court.
Tips for Young Basketball Players
If you want to play basketball at a high level, here are some simple tips:
- Practice every day – Work on shooting and dribbling
- Watch WNBA games – Learn from the best players
- Stay in good shape – Basketball players need to be strong and fast
- Be nice to teammates – Teams want players who work well with others
- Never give up – Many great players were told they were too short
The average weight and height are just numbers. What matters most is how well you play basketball.
What It Takes to Play in a WNBA Game
To play in a WNBA game, you need more than just the right height. Players need:
- Great basketball skills
- A strong mind
- Good fitness
- Ability to work with teammates
- A professional attitude
Players in the NBA and players in the WNBA all worked very hard to get there. Some had height to help them. But all of them had to get really good at basketball.
Success Stories of Different Heights
The WNBA has success stories at every height. Tall players like Brittney Griner are successful. Short players like Crystal Dangerfield are also successful.
This shows that talent comes in all sizes. Hard work and skill matter more than height.
Many young players worry about not being tall enough. But the WNBA shows that good players of all heights can make it.
Why Height Isn’t Everything
Height can help in basketball. But it is not everything. Here are other things that matter:
- How well you shoot the ball
- How fast you can run
- How smart you play
- How hard you work
- How well you work with others
Some of the best WNBA players are not the tallest. They became great by working on these other skills.
The National Basketball Association for Women
The National Basketball Association for women (WNBA) keeps growing. More people watch games every year. More young girls want to play basketball.
The league shows that women can play amazing basketball. Players of all heights contribute to this success.
The WNBA has players who are among the tallest female basketball players in the world. It also has shorter players who are incredibly skilled.
Final Thoughts on Average Height Of WNBA Player
The average height of WNBA player is about 6 feet tall, but players range from 5’4” to 6’9”.
Success comes from skill, hard work, and love for the game not just height.
WNBA history is full of stars of all sizes. More people watch every year, inspiring young players everywhere.
Champions come in all heights keep practicing and never give up on your dreams.
FAQs
What’s the average height in the WNBA?
The average WNBA player is about 6’1” (185 cm).
Are there any 7 ft WNBA players?
Not currently; the tallest ever was Margo Dydek at 7’2”.
How tall do you have to be to be in the WNBA?
There’s no height requirement.
Who is the tallest current WNBA player?
Brittney Griner at 6’9”.
