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The best 6’3 NBA players and guards

The best 6’3 NBA players and guards

This list of 6’3 NBA players shows that being shorter than average (for a basketball player) is no barrier to NBA success if you’re a master of your craft.

We’ll also debate whether or not 6’3 basketball players are at a disadvantage compared to their taller teammates and opponents.

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Who are the best 6’3 NBA players?

A 6 foot 3 NBA player throwing the basketball

Here is an extensive list of the best 6’3 NBA players:

  • Ja Morant
  • Jamal Murray
  • Cole Anthony
  • Jrue Holiday
  • De’Aaron Fox
  • Anfernee Simons
  • C.J. McCollum
  • Russell Westbrook
  • Immanuel Quickley
  • Goran Dragic
  • Gabe Vincent
  • Pat Spencer
  • Luca Vildoza
  • Eric Gordon
  • Norman Powell
  • Malik Monk
  • Tre Mann
  • Cory Joseph
  • Josh Cristopher
  • Luguentz Dort
  • JD Davison
  • Jason Preston
  • TyTy Washington
  • Matthew Dellavedova
  • Frank Jackson

There are obviously a few more 6 3 NBA players than this, but the list should give you a good idea of the 6 foot 3 talent in the NBA.

Most of these players are point guards and shooting guards, but some have also been known to play small forward.

While 6 foot 3 is on the smaller side for a professional basketball player, there are countless 6’3 guards who’ve found lasting success in the NBA.

After all, basketball is about skill. Sure, being tall is advantageous in many situations, but size alone doesn’t make someone an elite player.

List of NBA guards that are 6’3

Some good NBA guards that are 6’3

Here is a big list of some of the best NBA guards that are 6’3 in alphabetical order:

  • Anfernee Simons
  • C.J. McCollum
  • Cole Anthony
  • Cory Joseph
  • Davion Mintz
  • De’Aaron Fox
  • Eric Gordon
  • Frank Jackson
  • Gabe Vincent
  • Goran Dragic
  • Immanuel Quickley
  • Ja Morant
  • Jamal Murray
  • Jason Preston
  • JD Davison
  • Jordan Goodwin
  • Josh Cristopher
  • Jrue Holiday
  • Luca Vildoza
  • Luguentz Dort
  • Malik Monk
  • Matthew Dellavedova
  • Norman Powell
  • Pat Spencer
  • Russell Westbrook
  • Tre Mann
  • TyTy Washington

While there have been some guards who are taller than 6’3, many of the top PG performers are 6’3 or even less

There are plenty of 6’3 guards in the Eastern Conference as well as the Western Conference, meaning that prospects have numerous athletes to look up to.

As with any height, there are many decent to good players, but there are also some superstars as well. 

So it just goes to show that, ultimately, it’s skill rather than height that NBA players are remembered and revered for (unless they’re incredibly tall or famous for other reasons).

Is 6’3 short for the NBA?

A group of NBA players that are 6’3

Is 6’3 short for the NBA? Yes, although a pretty tall height in general, 6’3 is short for the NBA because it’s around 3 inches below the average height.

The majority of NBA players are taller than 6 foot 3, but some of the best players are 6’3 and under, so it’s not like being tall automatically makes you more skillful.

Additionally, 6 foot 3 NBA players tend to be guards and have excellent ball handling abilities. So in this sense, if they’re great at getting their team into offense, it’s not like they need to be really tall.

Obviously, some coaches and fans are still stuck on the mindset that only tall guys can play basketball. 

If you encounter a person who thinks this way, simply show them the extensive list of 6 3 NBA players to prove that height isn’t necessarily a barrier to NBA success and stardom.

How disadvantaged are 6’3 NBA players?

Some 6 3 basketball players throwing the ball

While the sport of basketball in general and the NBA in particular naturally attracts a lot of tall athletes, you don’t need to be tall to find sporting success in the NBA.

Imagine if the best 6’3 NBA players had said to themselves that they were too short to play basketball; they would never have gotten off the ground!

On the contrary, some of the best NBA players of all time, irrespective of their height, are those who believed in themselves and their abilities and had positive influences around them.

Obviously, if you’re a 6’3 basketball player who’s still in high school, then you might get taller, meaning that you may end up playing a different position or changing your game to fit your developing physique.

Another good tip for shorter players is to put in more gym time. By having more muscle mass than your taller opponents, you won’t get out muscled as often, and you’ll have a bigger physical presence on the court, allowing you to be more explosive.

The verdict: What do the best 6’3 basketball players have in common?

Some NBA guards who are 6’3 playing basketball

The best 6 3 NBA players all share a common belief in their own skill set. This intrinsic self-motivation allows them to train with confidence that their efforts won’t be in vain just because they’re 6 foot 3.

As with any height, there are obviously plenty of 6 foot 3 basketball players who don’t make the NBA. Yet, the most skillful ones do. So don’t let your height dictate your basketball career.

References

  1. Noh, S. (2022, October 4). Top NBA point guards for 2022-23: Ranking all 30 starters. Sporting News United Kingdom. https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/nba/news/nba-point-guard-rankings-2022-23-starters/xkrzvjczcf5ecphwydfbmlgt
  2. Basketball: The Point Guard. https://www.ducksters.com/sports/basketball/point_guard.php
  3. 5 Intermediate Strength-Training Lifts for Basketball Players. https://www.usab.com/youth/news/2011/09/5intermediate-strength-training-lifts-for-basketball-players.aspx