If you want a big list of all the best 6’9 NBA players, then this is the article that you’ve been looking for.
You’ll find out who all the 6’9 forwards and 6’9 centers are in the NBA in both the East and West.
We’ll also discuss how big of an advantage 6 foot 9 NBA players have over their opponents. Is height really as important in basketball as people make it out to be?
Related Basketball Height Guides:
- Average NBA player height
- WNBA average height
- Who is 6 foot 6 in the NBA?
- Who is 6 foot 7 in the NBA?
- Who is 6 foot 8 in the NBA?
- Who is 6 foot 10 in the NBA?
A list of all the best 6’9 NBA players
Here is an alphabetical list of all the best 6’9 NBA players:
- Al Horford
- Bam Adebayo
- Bruno Fernando
- Charles Bassey
- Chimezie Metu
- Chris Boucher
- Christian Wood
- Cole Swider
- Daniel Gafford
- Daniel Theis
- Day’Ron Sharpe
- Dean Wade
- Deni Avdija
- Derrick Favors
- Dominick Barlow
- Drew Eubanks
- Isaiah Todd
- Isaiah Whaley
- Jaden McDaniels
- Jalen McDaniels
- Jamorko Pickett
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Jeremy Sochan
- Jericho Sims
- John Collins
- JT Thor
- Juancho Hernangomez
- Kevon Looney
- Khem Birch
- Killian Tillie
- Kyle Anderson
- Kyle Kuzma
- LeBron James
- Mamadi Diakite
- Markieff Morris
- Marquese Chriss
- Mfiondu Kabengele
- Mouhamadou Gueye
- Naz Reid
- Obi Toppin
- Patrick Baldwin Jr.
- Paul Reed
- Robert Williams III
- Sandro Mamukelashvili
- Taj Gibson
- Trey Lyles
- Vernon Carey Jr.
- Wenyen Gabriel
- Yuta Watanabe
- Zeke Nnaji
- Ziaire Williams
As you can see in our extensive alphabetical list of the best 6 9 NBA players, most of these athletes play power forward or center, with a few notable exceptions.
All of the big (literally, they’re 6’9!) superstars are here, like LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Bam Adebayo, Robert Williams III, John Collins, and Christian Wood.
Although very few people in the general population are 6 foot 9, 6’9 is actually a fairly common height for an NBA player, especially for positions like power forward.
Interestingly, a 6’9 basketball player is an entire foot taller than the average guy but only 3 inches taller than the typical NBA player, which shows just how much of a factor height is in the NBA.
The best 6’9 forwards in the NBA
The best forwards in the NBA are LeBron James, John Collins, Kyle Kuzma, Kyle Anderson, Obi Toppin, Chris Boucher, Trey Lyles, and Jaden McDaniels.
At the height of 6 foot 9, most of these forwards are tough with great defensive abilities; they really know how to impose their size on their opponent to benefit their team.
Yet, what many of the best 6 foot 9 forwards in the NBA have in common is their ability to move explosively when both running and jumping.
This athleticism, coupled with their natural height and strength, is why these 6’9 power forwards are so compelling to watch.
The best 6’9 centers in the NBA
The best 6’9 centers in the NBA are Bam Adebayo, Robert Williams III, Al Horford, Daniel Gafford, Christian Wood, Naz Reid, and Kevon Looney.
All of these 6’9 centers are excellent defenders and rebounders, two crucial attributes for an NBA center of any height.
The ability to turn quickly and block shots, as well as dunk when needed, is important for a center at the top of his game.
While there are some centers who are under 6’9, the majority of centers in the National Basketball Associated are 6’9 or over, as height is a major advantage in this position.
Are there any 6’9 guards in the NBA?
There are only a few 6’9 guards in the NBA because 6 foot 9 basketball players are better suited to forward positions and as centers.
Still, LeBron James, although a 6’9 small forward, was considered a point guard in the past.
Additionally, there are other 6 foot 9 guards who played point guard or shooting guard in the NBA in the past but who now play in different leagues or have retired. These athletes include Dzanan Musa, Dorell Wright, Magic Johnson, and Danny Granger.
Are there any 6’9 female basketball players?
Most players in the WNBA are shorter than 6 foot 9. However, there is a notable 6’9 female basketball player, namely Brittney Griner, as well as other women who are close to 6’9, including Liz Cambage and Lindsay Taylor (retired).
It’s good that there are some exceptionally tall WNBA players. This way, tall girls who are athletic and might be considering basketball as a way to make the most of their impressive stature have people to look up to.
Obviously, since 6’9 WNBA players are taller than the average male NBA player, most female basketball players are naturally much shorter than 6 foot 9, usually around 6 foot tall on average.
Do 6’9 basketball players have an advantage?
Basketball is definitely a tall person’s sport. But at the same time, height isn’t everything; you need to be skillful as well.
Yet, it’s often said that for certain positions, especially center, athleticism and mobility coupled with sufficient height are more important than pure basketball skill.
After all, if you can move explosively at the height of 6 foot 9, you have a great chance of NBA success. So, all in all, I’d definitely say that being 6 foot 9 is a major advantage if you want to play as a forward and potentially as a center as well.
Conclusion: Why are there so many NBA players that are 6’9?
Basketball—and especially the NBA—naturally attracts a lot of very tall athletes. In fact, many people who are tall often get asked if they play basketball, so the association between stature and basketball skill is obviously very strong.
Yet, the tallest players aren’t always the most skillful. But they can dunk and defend, and when you add these skills to their 6 foot 9 stature, you can see why 6’9 NBA players often find lasting basketball success.
References
- Ward-Henninger, C. (2022, October 14). NBA top 100 player rankings: Giannis, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant vie for No. 1; LeBron James slips. CBSSports.com. https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-top-100-player-rankings-giannis-stephen-curry-kevin-durant-vie-for-no-1-lebron-james-slips/
- Enhance Your Team’s Performance with These 14 Rebounding Drills. https://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/rebounding-drills.html
- In-Season Mobility Training Should Not Be Overlooked. https://www.usab.com/youth/news/2011/12/how-to-keep-your-mobility-in-season.aspx