NBA Players Longest Wingspans: When evaluating athleticism, several aspects are taken into account, but some athletes take it a step further by including wingspan length.
In the fast-paced NBA, where agility and reach might be the difference between a blocked shot and a dunk, a player’s wingspan can be quite important. Counting a player’s reach with their arms extended might give one an indication of how far they can go on the court.
The NBA players with the longest wingspans are intriguing to research because of their physical advantages in challenging shots, grabbing rebounds, and blocking passing lanes due to their anatomical structure.
Come us on a journey as we learn about the towering players who stretched their wings on the court and made opponents second guess trying to occupy their airspace in the paint or on the perimeter.
NBA Players Right Now With the Longest Wingspans
1. Victor Wembanyama – 8’0″
Real hype exists. In addition to being a 7’4″ centre with exceptional talent, Victor Wembanyama also owns the NBA players’ longest Wingspans. Wembanyama towers over the majority of NBA players, thus it is simple to see how athletic he is just by looking at him. Although the center’s strength is questioned given that he weighs just 209 pounds, it will develop over time.
One of the most anticipated prospects in NBA history, Wembanyama is one of the best players in the league at both ends of the floor. As the 2023–24 season draws near, we will get to watch the extraordinary big man use his wingspan to overwhelm players as the San Antonio Spurs franchise is secured with a skilled star for the foreseeable future.
2. Mo Bamba – 7’10”
When he first entered the NBA, Mo Bamba did not live up to the hype. The centre is unquestionably a physical specimen, though. Mo Bamba possesses one of the finest defensive wingspanes in the NBA at 7’10”. Given the proper playing time, it makes him a powerful shot blocker and rim protector.
Bamba’s towering presence and wide reach make it difficult for opponents to approach the basket, which may lead to highlight-reel rejections. Going ahead, hopefully, he can log more minutes than his 18.0-lifetime average each game.
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3. Boban Marjanovic – 7’10”
NBA fans like Boban Marjanovic not only for his easygoing demeanour but also because he is a pleasure to behold on the floor. The towering centre, who is renowned for his enormous height and presence on the basketball floor, has a staggering 7’10” wingspan. His remarkable wingspan distinguishes him as one of the most distinctive players in NBA history, and it’s not simply a skill that he uses to his advantage.
Marjanovic has largely played as a backup big man because he only averages 3.6 rebounds and 0.3 blocks per 8.9 minutes of play while having a career-high 7’3″ height that makes it tough for him to keep up with opponents. Nevertheless, Boban has the league’s largest wingspans.
4. Rudy Gobert – 7’8.5″
Rudy Gobert is one of the best defensive players of all time only based on his credentials. He has won three Defensive Player of the Year honours, been chosen for six All-Defensive Teams, and four All-NBA Teams, and once led the league in both rebounds and blocks. His basketball IQ is undoubtedly good on the defensive end, but his stature (7’1″ and 258 lbs.) and absurd wingspan also help him.
Gobert, sometimes known as the “Stifle Tower,” is an NBA player whose extraordinary wingspan has revolutionised the practice of rim protection. His wingspan also helps him dominate the boards, as he can reach above opponents to grab them, giving his side crucial second-chance opportunities. Since Dwight Howard, there hasn’t been a more dominant defensive centre with averages of 11.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
5. Udoka Azubuike – 7’7.25″
The NBA player for the Phoenix Suns and former star for the Kansas Jayhawks, Udoka Azubuike, has a remarkable wingspan that measures an astonishing 7’7.25″. His success as a basketball player has been greatly influenced by this extraordinary physical quality. Azubuike’s 7-foot-7.25-inch wingspan on defence is a crucial advantage.
His wingspan undoubtedly helps, but his stature (6’10” and 280 lbs) makes him an intimidating rim protector and shot-blocker. Opponents are frequently made to second-guess their attempts in the paint as a result of his ability to challenge and modify shots at the basket. The Suns need size on the inside, so perhaps he can be a key player for them next season.
6. Bol Bol – 7’7″
Bol Bol, the interesting and special forward/centre for the Phoenix Suns who is the son of NBA veteran Manute Bol, has an astounding 7’7″ wing spread, making him one of the NBA’s most extraordinary players ever. Fans and basketball aficionados alike are really curious and excited by this unique physical trait.
With a wingspan of 7 feet 7 inches, Bol is a powerful shot blocker and rim protector defensively. He also plays a great offensive game and can shoot over most opponents because of his wingspan. Bol, who has changed clubs frequently, will have the Phoenix Suns as an opportunity to showcase his talents in 2024.
7. Mark Williams – 7’6.5″
Mark Williams, a talented individual, has a remarkable wingspan that is an amazing 7’6.5″. He was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draught because of this extraordinary physical quality, which has already made ripples in the basketball world. Williams’ wingspan can make or break a game, especially on defence.
He is able to effectively defend the rim and block shots thanks to this. In only 19.3 minutes of action per game, he is already averaging 1.0 blocks. Mark Williams’s long wingspan is likely to be crucial to his success as he refines his abilities and acclimates to the demanding environment of professional basketball.
8. Andre Drummond – 7’6.25″
Without question, Andre Drummond is one of the all-time great rebounders. He has four times led the NBA in rebounds per game with a career average of 12.7. Drummond will always have a roster spot because, despite playing fewer minutes, he can eat up rebounds against any defence with his height (6’10”) and wingspan (7’6.25″). Even if Drummond has fallen behind and the game has shifted, this is still true.
Due to the prevalence of small-ball and floor space, the former two-time All-Star is unlikely to ever start for an NBA team again, but he will be a reliable backup big man who can use his great length to routinely grab rebounds and even block shots. Drummond’s 11-year career thus far is a result of the fact that it will never be simple to remove him from the market.
9. Thomas Bryant – 7’6″
Thomas Bryant is a gifted centre with a 7’6″ wingspan who can help offensively more than anything else. His ability to score well near the hoop and even from long range is greatly aided by his amazing wingspan. Bryant can shoot from a distance and maintain consistency despite his small size (career 36.6% 3-PT FG).
Due to his wingspan, he is also able to grab rebounds on both ends of the floor, which allows him to defend missed attempts and provide his team with critical second-chance opportunities. The big man is averaging 5.7 rebounds per game in his limited career minutes, and the NBA will always need his wingspan as he looks for a team to call his own.
10. DeAndre Jordan – 7’6″
DeAndre Jordan is a seasoned NBA centre who is 6’11” and weighs 265 lbs. He also has a remarkable wingspan. His career has been defined by this extraordinary physical quality, which has greatly impacted his influence on both ends of the basketball floor. Even as he aged, Jordan’s 7’6″ wingspan made him a strong shot blocker and rim protector defensively.
His ability to block shots not only boosts his own defensive stats but also discourages players from trying drives to the basket. Additionally, his wingspan helps him dominate the glass since it allows him to reach above opponents to grab rebounds, giving his team valuable extra possessions. Jordan was a defensive wonder in his day and made two All-Defensive Teams, despite the fact that he is well past his peak.
11. Deandre Ayton – 7’6″
Deandre Ayton, a young and talented centre for the Portland Trail Blazers, has a large wingspan that has swiftly distinguished him as a notable player in the NBA despite his involvement in frequent trade rumours. Ayton’s long wingspan makes him a strong rim protector and shot blocker on defence.
He has recently been a key component of the Suns’ defence and aspires to repeat himself in Portland with his ability to challenge and change shots at the basket. Ayton averages 10.4 rebounds per game in his career, including 3.4 offensive rebounds. His reach helps him finish near the basket and get offensive rebounds.
12. JaVale McGee – 7’6″
The seasoned NBA centre JaVale McGee has a remarkable wingspan spanning 7’6″. Throughout his career, this extraordinary wingspan has been a crucial asset, especially in his capacity as a shot-blocker and rim protector. When playing defence, McGee’s long wingspan allows him to challenge and fend off opponents’ attempts in the paint with astonishing ease.
McGee’s wingspan helps him finish near the hoop and get offensive rebounds on the offensive end. Additionally, his wingspan, quickness, and lob-catching abilities make him a potent target in pick-and-roll scenarios. JaVale McGee’s wingspan, in general, is a distinguishing aspect of his game and enhances his influence as a versatile and significant player in the NBA.
13. Chet Holmgren – 7’6″
Chet Holmgren, the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draught, will enter the 2023–24 season with high hopes after completely missing the previous season due to injuries. His defence should be his calling card given that he has an unbelievable 7’6″ wingspan, even though he possesses great attacking abilities and basketball intelligence.
The fact that Holmgren is incredibly lanky really helps him get off his feet to block shots and excel near the basket, despite the fact that detractors may point out his perceived lack of physical power or muscle. This year, the gifted teenager will work to maintain his health and assemble a strong Oklahoma City club.
14. Kristaps Porzingis – 7’6″
The Boston Celtics’ strategy appears to have changed as they traded for another big man with outstanding length. The towering forward/centre from Latvia who plays for the Dallas Mavericks is 7’3″ tall and has an astounding 7’6″ wing spread, one of the NBA players’ longest wingspans.
On defence, Kristaps Porzingis’ wingspan is a game-changing asset. It helps him to successfully block shots in the paint, where he can be a force to be reckoned with. When Porzingis and Robert Williams play together in the paint, it will be tough for opponents to score, making the team’s defence stronger than expected in 2024. The ability of Porzingis to shoot over opponents is a key advantage of his style of play.
15. Robert Williams – 7’5.5″
Robert Williams is a superb shot blocker and rim protector defensively thanks to his long wingspan. His capacity to challenge and deflect attempts towards the basket is a crucial strength for the Boston Celtics’ defence. When Williams and his long wingspan are in the picture, it may be difficult for opponents to score in the paint.
Williams’ wingspan helps him while scoring since it allows him to finish near the rim and get offensive rebounds. He has the ability to reach above opponents to snag failed attempts and generate possibilities for second chances. His wingspan also improves his quickness in the pick-and-roll game and lob-catching skills. Williams has the potential to win Defensive Player of the Year one day with averages of 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
NBA Players Right Now With the Longest Wingspans. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
