The Average Weight of NBA Guards (2023-2024)
In the NBA, where speed, agility, and skill are paramount, the physical attributes of players play a crucial role in their performance and the style of their gameplay. Among these attributes, the weight of a player, particularly in the guard position, can be an interesting piece of info.
This article aims to shed light on the average weight of NBA guards, drawing from an extensive analysis of over 200 guards* across all NBA rosters.
For aspiring players, fans of the game, or those curious about the physical makeup of professional athletes, this exploration offers a comprehensive look into one of the key physical attributes that define the guard role in the NBA.
*NBA.com rosters does not distinguish between point guards and shooting guards in its categorization, instead grouping them together simply as guards. We also did not include players listed as guard/forwards, only pure guards.
NBA Guard Avg Weight
The average weight of an NBA Guard in the 2023-2024 season is 197 pounds.
However, the overall average doesn’t always give a clear picture. Especially when you consider that guards range in weight from the lightest guy at 160 all the way up to 234 pounds!
So, to give you an even better idea of where NBA guards weigh in, we broke the position down into 10-pound increments and tallied up how many players fell into each section.
Guard Weight Scale
| Weight Range | Number of Players |
|---|---|
| 160 – 169 | 7 |
| 170 – 179 | 14 |
| 180 – 189 | 36 |
| 190 – 199 | 57 |
| 200 – 209 | 56 |
| 210 – 219 | 31 |
| 220 – 229 | 13 |
| 230 – 239 | 1 |
The table on the weight ranges of NBA guards, with an overall average weight of 197 pounds, offers several insights:
- Most Common Weight Range: The majority of NBA guards fall within the 190-209 pound range, with 57 players in the 190-199 pound category and 56 in the 200-209 pound category. This concentration around the average weight suggests that this range is likely the most advantageous for guards, offering a balance between agility, strength, and endurance.
- Fewer Heavier Guards: There is a significant drop in the number of guards as the weight increases beyond 210 pounds. Only 31 players weigh between 210-219 pounds, and the number further decreases to 13 in the 220-229 pound range, with just one player weighing between 230-239 pounds. This trend indicates that while additional weight can provide strength advantages, it may also impact the speed and agility that are crucial for a guard’s role.
- Lighter Guards Are Rare: At the lighter end of the spectrum, fewer guards weigh below 180 pounds, with only 7 players in the 160-169 pound range and 14 in the 170-179 pound range. This rarity suggests that while lighter guards might possess exceptional speed and agility, they may face challenges in physical matchups and endurance.
- Preference for Mid-Range Weight: The data suggests a preference for guards with a mid-range weight, balancing the need for quick, agile movements with the physicality required for enduring the rigors of the game. Guards in this weight range are likely able to optimize their performance in terms of speed, handling, shooting, and defensive capabilities.
Overall, the table reveals that the ideal weight for NBA guards tends to cluster around the league average, with a clear preference for players who balance agility and physical strength, essential attributes for the demands of their position.
Read More:
Which NBA Guards Weigh the Most?
Curious to know who the nine guys are at the bottom of the table above? The 14 guys tipping the scale at 220 pounds and up?
Thought you might:
| Name | Weight | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Talen Horton-Tucker | 234 | Utah Jazz |
| Malcolm Brogdon | 229 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Daishen Nix | 226 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr | 225 | Miami Heat |
| Bogdan Bogdanovic | 225 | Atlanta Falcons |
| Anthony Edwards | 225 | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Klay Thompson | 220 | Golden State Warriors |
| Cade Cunningham | 220 | Detroit Lions |
| Christian Braun | 220 | Denver Broncos |
| Wesley Matthews | 220 | Atlanta Falcons |
| James Harden | 220 | LA Clippers |
| Buddy Hield | 220 | Indianapolis Colts |
| Luguentz Dort | 220 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Marcus Smart | 220 | Memphis Grizzlies |
Which NBA Guards Weigh the Least?
Just as interesting (or maybe even more so) as which guys weigh the most is which guys weigh the least.
The 9 lightest guards in the NBA weigh under 175 pounds.
| Name | Weight | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Markquis Nowell | 160 | Toronto Raptors |
| Jacob Gilyard | 160 | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Terquavion Smith | 160 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Trae Young | 164 | Atlanta Hawks |
| Xavier Moon | 165 | LA Clippers |
| Isaiah Joe | 165 | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Bones Hyland | 169 | LA Clippers |
| Kira Lewis Jr | 170 | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Ja Morant | 174 | Memphis Grizzlies |
Conclusion
The examination of over 200 NBA guards reveals that the most advantageous weight for players in this position hovers around the average of 197 pounds.
This weight range represents a sweet spot, providing the necessary agility and speed for guard responsibilities while also offering enough physical strength to endure the game’s demands.
The data shows a clear preference in the league for guards who maintain this balance, reflecting the evolving requirements of modern basketball. Lighter guards are less common, suggesting challenges in physical play, while heavier guards are rarer, indicating potential compromises in speed and agility.
