The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) brings together the top female basketball players in the world. These world-class athletes display incredible skill, agility, and height on the court. But what is the average height of a WNBA player? Let’s take a deep dive into the data and trends surrounding the heights of these remarkable players.
A League of Tall Players
The WNBA is known for having taller players compared to other professional sports leagues. According to official data from the WNBA, the average height of players in 2021 was 6 feet and 1 inch (1.85 meters). This makes the average WNBA player over 7 inches (18 cm) taller than the average American woman.
Several factors contribute to the greater average height in the WNBA:
Height is an Advantage in Basketball
Being tall is a significant advantage in basketball. Tall players can more easily shoot over opponents, grab rebounds, and block shots. Coaches and scouts intentionally seek out taller female prospects to recruit for their basketball programs. Over time, this has led to taller women being overrepresented in the talent pool at the professional level.
Global Recruiting Expands the Talent Pool
The WNBA recruits players from around the world. Some countries have populations with greater average heights than the United States. For example, Latvian women have an average height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters) – a full 3 inches taller than the average American woman. Recruiting internationally expands the talent pool and diversity of heights in the league.
Generational Height Increases
Human height has steadily increased generation after generation over the last century due to improved childhood nutrition and healthcare. Current generations of young women entering the WNBA are taller on average than previous ones. This generational effect contributes to the league getting taller over time.
Positional Differences in Height
While the average WNBA player height is 6 feet 1 inch, there are significant variations by playing position. Centers, forwards, and guards each have distinctly different height profiles in the league.
Centers: The Tallest Players
Centers are the tallest players on the court. The WNBA center position has an average height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters). In fact, many stand over 7 feet tall! Centers like Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury (6’9″) and Liz Cambage of the Los Angeles Sparks (6’8″) demonstrate that world-class female basketball players can reach great heights. Their elite size is a tremendous advantage under the basket.
Forwards: Above Average Height
Forwards are the next tallest position after centers. The average height of a WNBA forward is 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters). While they are shorter than centers on average, forwards are still taller than over 95% of American women. Height allows them to play versatile roles on offense and defense.
Guards: The Shortest Players
Guards are tasked with ball handling and perimeter play. They are the shortest position in the WNBA with an average height of 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters). Despite being short by basketball standards, the average female guard is still taller than around 75% of women. Elite quickness and agility allow shorter guards to thrive.
How Height Varies Across Teams
WNBA team heights are largely determined by the composition of positions on their roster. However, some teams skew slightly taller or shorter:
- Tallest team: The Minnesota Lynx average 6 feet 1.5 inches due to multiple tall forwards and centers.
- Shortest team: The Atlanta Dream have an average height of 5 feet 10.5 inches with quick, athletic guards.
- Well-balanced: The Seattle Storm’s average around the league standard of 6 feet 1 inch with a mix of positions.
These differences result from front office strategies and coaching philosophies around optimizing roster construction. However, the variability across teams is only 1 to 3 inches – even the “shortest” WNBA teams are tall compared to the general population.
Changes in Height Over Time
The average WNBA player height has gradually increased over the league’s 25+ year history:
- 1997 (first season): 6 feet 0 inches
- 2005: 6 feet 1 inch
- 2021 (most recent data): 6 feet 1 inch
The average height has risen 1 full inch since the WNBA began. This is likely due to a combination of recruiting taller international players and the steady generational increases in female height.
Interestingly, experts have observed a “peak height” phenomenon in recent Draft classes. The very tallest players like Griner and Cambage are outliers; few recent prospects have broken the 6’7″ to 6’8″ mold. This indicates the WNBA may be approaching the limits of how tall women can be and still have the coordination required to play basketball at an elite level.
Outlook for the Future
It is likely that the average WNBA player height will remain steady near its current level in the 6 feet 1 inch range, with only marginal further increases possible. International recruiting will continue to introduce more diversity in heights across rosters. Positional averages will remain relatively constant, with centers the tallest and guards the shortest on the floor.
The WNBA will continue to showcase some of the tallest and most talented female athletes in the world. Young women dreaming of playing professionally can look to the league and see that great heights are achievable with dedication to basketball.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is the tallest WNBA player ever?
The tallest player in WNBA history is Margo Dydek from Poland who stood at 7 feet 2 inches (2.18 meters). She played for the Utah Starzz/San Antonio Silver Stars from 1998 to 2005.
Who is the shortest player in the WNBA?
The shortest player ever in the WNBA is 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 meters). There have been four players who reached this height: Tamicha Jackson, Josephine Owino, Jennifer Rizzotti, and Dominique Canty.
Are WNBA players taller than NBA players on average?
No, WNBA players have an average height of 6 feet 1 inch while the average NBA player is around 6 feet 7 inches. Male basketball players tend to be taller on average than female players.
Do WNBA teams have height requirements or restrictions?
No, there are no official height requirements or restrictions to play in the WNBA. Players of any height can try out and potentially make a team based on their talent, skill, and fit with the team roster.
Is there data available on WNBA player weights?
The WNBA does not release official data on player weights. Weights can fluctuate frequently during the season and are considered private information. Estimates suggest the average playing weight is around 170 pounds (77 kg) for the guards and forwards positions.
