Are Shorter Arms Still A Barrier To An NBA Career?
The article discusses the challenges shorter players face in pursuing an NBA career, particularly focusing on wingspan versus height. It highlights the rarity of shorter players with shorter wingspans succeeding in the league, using John Blackwell's decision to transfer to Duke as a case study. The piece also notes that while having a long wingspan is advantageous, there are exceptions of players who have found success despite not fitting the typical mold.
- ▪Only 29 players who stood 5-foot-9 or shorter have played in the NBA.
- ▪From the 2004-05 season onwards, only eight players of average or shorter height have debuted in the league.
- ▪The average ratio of wingspan to height for humans is roughly 1:1, but this is not the case for many NBA players.
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BusinessSportsMoneyAre Shorter Arms Still A Barrier To An NBA Career?ByBeau Dure,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Beau Dure is a sports journalist and author of several soccer books.Follow AuthorMay 26, 2026, 02:05pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.John Blackwell celebrates his game-winning buzzer-beater for Wisconsin against Minnesota in January.Getty ImagesWhy did former Wisconsin guard John Blackwell remove his name from NBA Draft consideration and stick with his plan of transferring to Duke? The decision could have been driven by getting feedback suggesting he would not be an early pick, and perhaps it was affected by whatever he can earn through…
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