Average Height of NBA Guards (2023-2024)
In the NBA, the role of a guard is pivotal and diverse. Guards are often the playmakers, orchestrating the offense and setting the tempo of the game. While their skills, speed, and agility are widely discussed, one physical attribute also plays a significant role in their on-court performance: height.
This article delves into an analysis of the average height of NBA guards, providing insights into how physical stature blends with skill and strategy in pro basketball.
To get a comprehensive understanding, we examined over 200 guards* from every NBA roster. Whether you’re a budding basketball player looking for benchmarks, or a fan curious about the physical makeup of professional athletes, this exploration offers valuable insights into one of basketball’s critical positions.
*NBA.com does not differentiate between point guards (PG) and shooting guards (SG), categorizing them simply as guards. Also, we did not include guard/forwards, only pure guards.
NBA Guards Avg Height
The average height of an NBA Guard for the 2023-2024 season is 6’3 3/4″.
However, averages don’t often tell the whole story. I wanted to take a closer look.
So, in an effort to give you an even better idea of how NBA Guards stack up, I tallied up how many players are at each specific height – from 5’7″ all the way to 6’8″.
Guard Height Scale
| Height | Number of Players |
|---|---|
| 5’7″ | 1 |
| 5’8″ | 1 |
| 5’9″ | 0 |
| 5’10” | 0 |
| 5’11” | 0 |
| 6’0″ | 10 |
| 6’1″ | 19 |
| 6’2″ | 23 |
| 6’3″ | 36 |
| 6’4″ | 44 |
| 6’5″ | 47 |
| 6’6″ | 26 |
| 6’7″ | 5 |
| 6’8″ | 3 |
Here are some insights derived from the data:
- Dominant Height Range: The most common heights for NBA guards are between 6’3″ and 6’5″. This range accounts for the majority of guards, with 44 players at 6’4″ and 47 at 6’5″. This indicates that while guards are generally shorter than forwards and centers, they still possess considerable height, which is advantageous for visibility on the court, reach, and defensive capabilities.
- Trend Towards Taller Guards: There is a noticeable trend towards taller guards in the NBA. The number of guards increases significantly from 6’0″ upwards, peaking at 6’5″. This suggests that while traditional guards were often shorter, modern basketball favors guards with more height.
- Very Few Short Guards: At the shorter end of the spectrum, there are very few guards. There is only one guard each at 5’7″ and 5’8″, and none at heights 5’9″, 5’10”, or 5’11”. This rarity highlights the exceptional nature of guards who succeed in the NBA at these heights, likely relying on extraordinary skills and agility to compete at the professional level.
- Decline at Extreme Heights: Post 6’5″, there is a significant drop in the number of guards, with only a handful at 6’6″ and even fewer at 6’7″ and 6’8″. This decline suggests that beyond a certain height, players are more likely to play as forwards or centers, where their height is more traditionally advantageous.
Which NBA Guards are the Tallest?
Curious to know who the 8 guys are at the bottom of the table above? The ones standing 6’7″ or taller?
Thought you might:
| Name | Height | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Caleb Houstan | 6’8″ | Orlando Magic |
| Josh Giddey | 6’8″ | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Bilal Coulibaly | 6’8″ | Washington Commanders |
| Peyton Watson | 6’7″ | Denver Nuggets |
| Dyson Daniels | 6’7″ | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Kendall Brown | 6’7″ | Indianapolis Pacers |
| Anthony Black | 6’7″ | Orlando Magic |
| LaMelo Ball | 6’7″ | Charlotte Hornets |
Which NBA Guards are the Shortest?
Just as interesting (or maybe even more so) as which guys are the tallest is which guys are actually the shortest.
The 12 shortest guards in the NBA are all 6’0″ or shorter.
| Name | Height | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Markquis Nowell | 5’7″ | Toronto Raptors |
| Jacob Gilyard | 5’8″ | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Jose Alvarado | 6’0″ | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Mike Conley | 6’0″ | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Aaron Holiday | 6’0″ | Houston Rockets |
| Kyle Lowry | 6’0″ | Miami Heat |
| Jordan McLaughlin | 6’0″ | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Davion Mitchell | 6’0″ | Sacramento Kings |
| Xavier Moon | 6’0″ | LA Clippers |
| Chris Paul | 6’0″ | Golden State Warriors |
| Ish Smith | 6’0″ | Charlotte Hornets |
| Fred VanVleet | 6’0″ | Houston Rockets |
Conclusion
Our analysis of over 200 NBA guards reveals a clear trend: the most prevalent height range for guards is between 6’3″ and 6’5″, with an average of 6’3 3/4″. This trend towards taller guards reflects the evolving nature of basketball, where height is increasingly valued for its advantages in shooting, visibility, and defensive capabilities.
The data also highlights the rarity of guards at the extremes of the height spectrum, particularly below 6’0″, emphasizing the exceptional skills required for shorter players to excel in the league.
The NBA guard position, while diverse in responsibilities, shows a clear preference for players within this taller height range, blending agility and skill with the advantages of increased stature.
