2006-09-06 10:43:08 · 12 answers · asked by cassidy e 1 in Sports ➔ Basketball
No, you have to be a pro-level player. Although, if you're very tall, there is an edge, because, as they say, you can't teach tall. Just being tall is the reason why wastes of rosters spaces like Michael Olowokandi and Shawn Bradley managed to have decent careers. Players like Ben Wallace (6'9" C) and Elton Brand (listed at 6'8" but he's not quite that tall, PF,C) have had tremendous success at their positions, even though they're undersized. Their talent makes up for any lack of size.
If you're short, you will have to go the extra mile to impress teams. Earl Boykins may only be 5'5", but he's one of the fastest guards in the NBA, he's a good ball handler, good scorer, works on his strength and can bench 315 pounds, and I've seen him dunk and block shots, so his work ethic and high skill level make you forget about his height.
2006-09-06 20:27:02 · answer #1 · answered by ccmonty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At the professional level, most male players are above 1.90 meters (6 ft 3 in) and most women above 1.70 meters (5 ft 7 in). Guards, for whom physical coordination and ball-handling skills are crucial, tend to be the smallest players. Almost all forwards in the men's pro leagues are 2 meters (6 ft 6 in) or taller. Most centers are over 2.1 meters (6 ft 10.5 in) tall. The tallest players ever in the NBA, Manute Bol and Gheorghe Mureşan, were 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in). The tallest current NBA player is Yao Ming, who stands at 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in).
The shortest player ever to play in the NBA is Muggsy Bogues at 1.60 meters (5 ft 3 in). Other short players have thrived at the pro level. Anthony "Spud" Webb was just 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) tall, but had a 42-inch (1.07 m) vertical leap, giving him significant height when jumping. The shortest player in the NBA today is Earl Boykins at 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m). While shorter players are often not very good at defending against shooting, their ability to navigate quickly through crowded areas of the court and steal the ball by reaching low are strengths.
2006-09-06 10:52:15 · answer #2 · answered by Chicky_S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Especially not in the WNBA. Look at Dawn Staley and the late Kim Perrot. Dawn is 5'6" and I believe Kim was about the same height. As long as you have skills you should be fine.
2006-09-06 11:22:43 · answer #3 · answered by Nuseed 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it is all about your skill level. I can remember 5'3" Mugsy Bogues from Wake Forest who played a long time in the NBA. Also 5'6" Spud Webb from NC State who played in the NBA and won a slam dunk contest.
2006-09-06 10:50:34 · answer #4 · answered by me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is definitly no height requirement for pro basketball but height definitly helps out.
2006-09-06 11:18:54 · answer #5 · answered by balldee93 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No Bogues was what like 5'3. I dont even understand how you would not know this. I think as long as you can get in and out of the locker room its fine.
2006-09-06 10:47:50 · answer #6 · answered by ukfansc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, just gotta be good. There was a 5' 1" pro player, his name escapes me.
2006-09-06 10:46:38 · answer #7 · answered by da_hammerhead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would probably be better if you were taller but all you gotta have is skill
2006-09-06 10:56:58 · answer #8 · answered by witchy559 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a perfect world, No... but in America... unless you are about 5'9"... you have little chance.
2006-09-06 10:47:24 · answer #9 · answered by tbayxxxv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope
2006-09-06 17:10:27 · answer #10 · answered by Wade 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋