Why wingspan, not height, quietly decides who dominates the NBA
Who Has the Longest Wingspan in the NBA?
The significance of wingspan in the NBA goes way back to the early beginnings of the sport. Legend has it that Kevin McHale, one of the best power forwards of all time who stood at 6’10”, had one of the longest wingspans in NBA history at almost 8’0” and could literally touch his knees without bending down.
His enormous wingspan made him a holy terror near the hoop on both offense and defense. However, several sources have confirmed that McHale’s true wingspan was more likely around 7’5”, which is still pretty outrageous considering his height.
What Is an Ape Index?
Ape index measures your wingspan relative to your height. A common method of calculation is having the height subtracted from the wingspan. Normally, the average reach of a person usually correlates with his or her height, which gives a neutral size ratio. However, most NBA players have a wingspan that is significantly longer than their height.
The average wingspan of an NBA player is usually four inches longer than a normal man who shares their height, giving most players a positive ape index of +4″. This is not to say basketball increases one’s reach. It just so happens that humans with longer arms have an advantage in basketball and tend to go on to the NBA, but this is not absolute.
Benefits of a Long Wingspan in Basketball
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to appreciate the importance of wingspan in basketball. The longer your wingspan is, the easier it is to dunk without needing a time-consuming gather. It’s also easier to keep your dribble low to the ground in traffic, block shots, contest shots without even having to leave your feet, get steals, and guard someone taller than you.
It comes as no surprise that a good percentage of the best players in history have been blessed with incredible wingspans. Of course, there are exceptions like JJ Reddick and Yao Ming, who have been able to do relatively well in the NBA despite having slightly shorter wingspans for their heights.
It’s one thing to have a long wingspan and another thing to be able to make full use of it. At 6’9″, former Indiana Pacers player Rakeem Christmas had an unbelievable wingspan of 7’5”. His ape index is a whopping +8″. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to take full advantage of it in the NBA.
Height and Wingspan
Being tall usually comes with a long wingspan. It’s not surprising that the longest wingspan officially measured in the NBA belongs to one of the tallest players in NBA history, Tacko Fall. Fall stands at 7’7” in shoes and has a wingspan that measures a staggering 8′ 2.25″. However, this is not always the case. A good example is Cody Zeller of the Charlotte Hornets who, despite standing at 7’0”, has a 6’10” wingspan. Zeller has a negative ape index of -2″.
There are also cases of basketball players with extraordinary wingspans for their heights. At 6’9”, BeeJay Anya holds the record for the longest wingspan recorded for a player under 7’0″ in the NBA Draft Express database for basketball prospects. His wingspan, at 7’9″, is a whole foot greater than his height, giving him a +12″ ape index, the highest of any known basketball player. BeeJay also holds the North Carolina state record for most blocked shots in a single game, and this can be attributed to his outrageous length.
The Highest Ape Index Recorded at the NBA Combine
Former OSU player Dallas Lauderdale didn’t play in the NBA but he holds the record for the highest ape index officially recorded at the NBA Combine. He stands at 6’7.5″ and has a 7’6.5″ wingspan, giving him an incredible +11 ape index.
Below, we take a look at some players with the highest ape indices to ever play in the NBA. These players even have higher ape indices than some freaks like Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis.
27. Jalen Williams (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Standing at 6’6”, Jalen Williams’ incredible wingspan, measuring in at an incredible 7’2″, allows him to guard much bigger defenders. His height-to-wingspan differential is one of the largest in the NBA giving him a significant advantage when it comes to reaching for rebounds.
In his rookie season, due to his awesome play, Williams finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting behind Paolo Banchero. He was also named to the 2022–23 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
- Wingspan: 7’2”
- Height: 6’6”
- Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
- Percent longer than the average shooting guard: 6%
- Percent longer than the average small forward: 4%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’10”
26. Isaiah Stewart (Ape Index: +8.0″)
While Isaiah Stewart may look to be a little undersized for the center position at 6-foot-8, his 7–4 wingspan more than makes up for that. That’s the same wingspan as 7’2″ Roy Hibbert. His length helps him grab crucial boards for the team as well as block shots. Up until the 2022/23 season, Stewart has averaged 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game in his NBA career.
- Wingspan: 7’4”
- Height: 6’8”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 4%
- Percent longer than the average center: 1%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’0”
25. Melvin Frazier (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Orlando Magic player Melvin Frazier has a ridiculous wingspan for his height. The average wingspan for a 6’6” player in the NBA is around 6’10”. Frazier stands at this height but his wingspan is an astonishing 7’2”. His wingspan is pretty close to the average of a center in the NBA despite standing around the average height of a shooting guard. Lebron James stands two inches taller than Fraizer, but King James has a wingspan that is two inches shorter.
- Wingspan: 7’2”
- Height: 6’6”
- Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
- Percent longer than the average shooting guard: 6%
- Percent longer than the average small forward: 4%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’10”
24. Mario Chalmers (Ape Index: +8.0″)
This former Miami Heat player has one of the longest wingspans for a point guard despite being on the slightly shorter side at 6’2”. Mario Chalmers set numerous records for steals in college and in his rookie year in the NBA. His mind-blowing wingspan that stretches to 6’10” definitely helped him achieve this. It is quite stunning that Kyrie Irving’s wingspan is half a foot shorter than Chalmers’ despite Kyrie being slightly taller.
- Wingspan: 6’10”
- Height: 6’2”
- Position: Point Guard
- Percent longer than the average point guard: 5%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’6”
23. Josh Howard (Ape Index: +8.0″)
This forgotten Mavericks star has one of the highest ape indices in NBA history. Josh Howard’s wingspan measures 7’2”, but he remarkably stands at just 6’6”. Howard is truly an outlier and not many NBA players his height have their wings exceeding 6’10”. The great Michael Jordan stands at this height and his wingspan is 6’11”.
- Wingspan: 7’2”
- Height: 6’6”
- Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
- Percent longer than the average shooting guard: 6%
- Percent longer than the average small forward: 4%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’10”
22. Alexis Ajinça (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Alexis Ajinca’s wingspan reached almost 7’9” despite standing around 7’1”. His ape index of +8″ is one of the highest in NBA history. He is also one of the few players in NBA history whose wingspan exceeds 7’8”. Surprisingly, Alexis Ajinca’s wingspan is almost three inches longer than Kristaps Porzingis’ despite Porzingis being two inches taller.
- Wingspan: 7’9”
- Height: 7’1”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 9%
- Percent longer than the average center: 7%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’5”
21. Rakeem Christmas (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Rakeem Christmas is one of the very few NBA players to have a positive ape index of +8″. He is truly an anomaly even though he had a short stint in the NBA. At 6’9”, his wingspan is absurd at 7’5”. He’s longer than most current centers in the NBA despite standing at the height of an average power forward. It’s pretty insane that Rakeem has a longer wingspan than Karl-Anthony Towns, who stands at 7’0″.
- Wingspan: 7’5”
- Height: 6’9”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 5%
- Percent longer than the average center: 2%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’1”
20. MarShon Brooks (Ape Index: +8.0″)
MarShon Brooks has one of the highest ape indices in the history of the NBA. His wingspan is a whopping eight inches greater than his height. He is one of the few basketball players blessed with a 7’1” wingspan despite standing at only 6’5”.
Brooks stands at the average height of a shooting guard in the NBA but his wingspan is equivalent to the average of a power forward. It’s interesting to note that his wingspan is two inches longer than Kevin Love’s despite Love being almost five inches taller.
- Wingspan: 7’1”
- Height: 6’5”
- Position: Shooting Guard/Small Forward
- Percent longer than the average shooting guard: 5%
- Percent longer than the average small forward: 2%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’9”
19. Will Solomon (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Will Solomon didn’t make any significant impact while he was in the NBA, but he definitely deserves to be on this list due to his mind blowing measurements. Standing at only 6’1”, his wingspan extended to nearly 6’10”. Solomon was significantly shorter than the average point guard in the NBA but his arms rivaled the length of the average small forward. You have to admire Solomon when you realise that he has a slightly longer wingspan than Klay Thompson despite Klay being half a foot taller.
- Wingspan: 6’9”
- Height: 6’1”
- Position: Point Guard
- Percent longer than the average point guard: 4%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’5”
18. Rodrigue Beaubois (Ape Index: +8.0″)
This French professional basketball player is built like a point guard but amazingly has the wingspan of a small forward. He is truly a genetic freak and is one of the few 6’2” players in the world who can boast about having a 6’10” wingspan. Beaubois’ wingspan is two inches longer than Jimmy Butler’s. Amazingly, Butler is six inches taller than Beaubois. Tony Parker also stands at the same height as Beaubois but he only has a wingspan of 6’4”.
- Wingspan: 6’10”
- Height: 6’2”
- Position: Point Guard
- Percent longer than the average point guard: 5%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’6”
17. Kawhi Leonard (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Defensively, Kawhi Leonard is arguably the greatest defender in the NBA. Standing at 6’7″ with a ridiculous 7’3″ wingspan, he is nearly a perfect basketball specimen. Kawhi’s length and versatility allow him to defend against point guards, forwards, and everything in between.
He is the only non-center to ever win Defensive Player of the Year twice. Kawhi is blessed with the average wingspan of a center in the NBA despite standing at the average height of a small forward, giving him a combination of length and athleticism which is hard to find. It’s shocking that Marc Gasol’s wingspan is only an inch longer than Kawhi’s despite being half a foot taller.
- Wingspan: 7’3”
- Height: 6’7”
- Position: Small forward
- Percent longer than the average small forward: 5%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’11”
16. Ike Anigbogu (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Ike Anigbogu didn’t enjoy much success in the NBA when he played as a center for the Indiana Pacers. However, that doesn’t dispute the fact that he is one of the most interesting physical specimens to be seen on the court.
At 6’10, he is quite shorter than the average NBA center, but he compensates for this with his ridiculous wingspan of 7’6”. Only a few centers in the NBA have ever been blessed with a wingspan that length. Al Horford’s wingspan is almost half a foot shorter than Anigbogu’s despite standing around the same height as Anigbogu.
- Wingspan: 7’6”
- Height: 6’10”
- Position: Center
- Percent longer than the average center: 3%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’2”
15. Montrezl Harrell (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Montrezl Harrell is one of the best bench players in the league. Harrell is a physical competitor with a high motor and a deep passion for winning. He is extremely athletic and highly explosive as a player. While Harrell lacks the height for his position, a 7’4″ wingspan makes up for his disadvantage with length.
He has a positive ape index of +8″ and possesses a longer wingspan than the average for a center in the NBA despite standing below the average height of a power forward. It’s interesting to note that despite standing at the same height as Harrell, Lebron Jame’s wingspan is four inches shorter.
- Wingspan: 7’4”
- Height: 6’8”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 4%
- Percent longer than the average center: 1%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’0”
14. Josh Okogie (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Josh Okogie is known for his energy and his remarkable defensive ability. He rose to fame was when he blocked James Harden’s dreaded step-back three-pointer. His unbelievable wingspan of 7’0” definitely helped him defend Harden’s unstoppable move.
Okogie’s wingspan of 7’0” is really astonishing if you consider the fact that he stands at 6’4”. His wingspan is way above the average for a shooting guard in the NBA despite standing slightly shorter than the average shooting guard. Harden’s wingspan is two inches shorter than Okogie’s despite Harden been slightly taller.
- Wingspan: 7’0”
- Height: 6’4”
- Position: Shooting Guard
- Percent longer than the average shooting guard: 4%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’8”
13. Rajon Rondo (Ape Index: +8.0″)
Rajon Rondo is a true freak of nature and is one of the best point guards in the NBA. He has one of the biggest hands of any point guard in the NBA. And that’s not the only remarkable thing about this elite player. At only 6’1”, his wingspan measures a ridiculous 6’9”.
Rondo is equipped with the average wingspan of a shooting guard despite standing below the average height of a point guard in the NBA. His ape index of +8″ is one of the highest in the NBA. Amazingly, Rondo’s wingspan is almost six inches longer than Stephen Curry’s despite being shorter.
- Wingspan: 6’9”
- Height: 6’1”
- Position: Point Guard
- Percent longer than the average point guard: 4%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’5”
12. Robert Williams III (Ape Index: +8.5″)
Robert Williams’ huge (near 7’6) wingspan allows him to block shots and play bigger than his 6’9 height. He had a breakout season in 2021–22, which saw him being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and reaching the NBA Finals as the Celtics’ starting center. Williams boasts of the same wingspan as 7’1″ Brook Lopez.
- Wingspan: 7’5.5″
- Height: 6’9”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 5%
- Percent longer than the average center: 3%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’1.5”
11. Mouhamed Sene (Ape Index: +8.5″)
Mouhamed Saer Sene’s career in the NBA was short, but no one can dispute the fact that he was a genetic freak. Standing at 7’0”, he possessed a wingspan of 7’8.5 inches. His wingspan exceeded his height by almost nine inches. Only a few centers in the NBA can match up to the wingspan of Sene. Remarkably, Roy Hibbert’s wingspan is almost five inches shorter than Sene’s despite being two inches taller.
- Wingspan: 7’8.5”
- Height: 7’0”
- Position: Center
- Percent longer than the average center: 6%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’4.5”
10. Alonzo Mourning (Ape Index: +8.5″)
Alonzo Mourning is a perfect example of a player in the NBA that highlighted the importance of wingspan, especially on the defensive end. He stood at 6’10”, which is quite small for an NBA center. However, he won multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards and led the league in blocks for half of his career.
He was able to accomplish this remarkable feat partly because of his incredible 7’6.5” wingspan. He also wasn’t an explosive leaper, which further highlighted the importance of his giant wingspan. Astonishingly, Tyson Chandler’s wingspan is 3.5 inches shorter than Mourning’s despite Chandler being 3 inches taller.
- Wingspan: 7’6.5”
- Height: 6’10”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 6%
- Percent longer than the average center: 4%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’2.5”
9. Elton Brand (Ape Index: +8.5″)
A two-time NBA All-Star (2002 and 2006), Elton Brand was picked first overall in the 1999 draft by the Chicago Bulls after a stellar two-year college career at Duke University. At 6’9″, Elton Brand has always played much bigger than his height — averaging 1.9 blocks for his career. This was due to his large wingspan which measures an unbelievable 7’5.5″. That’s close to nine inches greater than his height.
Brand’s wingspan is close to three inches longer than the average center in the NBA. Brand has the same wingspan as Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez despite Brook being three inches taller.
- Wingspan: 7’5.5″
- Height: 6’9”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 5%
- Percent longer than the average center: 3%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’1.5”
8. James Lang (Ape Index: +9.0″)
I’m pretty sure that even hardcore NBA fans haven’t heard of James Lang. He played briefly in the NBA for the Washington Wizards and was truly a mutant. At 6’9”, Lang possessed an outrageous wingspan of 7’6”. The only player who can boast having similar measurements is the freak Bismack Biyombo.
Few centers in the NBA come close to the wingspan of Lang and this is astonishing considering Lang stood at the average height of a power forward in the NBA. Lang has roughly the same wingspan as DeMarcus Cousins despite being significantly shorter than Cousins.
- Wingspan: 7’6”
- Height: 6’9”
- Position: Center
- Percent longer than the average center: 3%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’2”
7. Jason Maxiell (Ape Index: +9.0″)
Jason Maxiell has one of the craziest wingspans to height ratios in the history of the NBA. He is listed at 6’7” but was measured at 6’6.25″ in shoes, so he is actually pretty close to 6’6”. This makes his 7’3.25″ wingspan even more impressive. Maxiell is one of the few players in NBA history whose wingspans exceed their heights by at least nine inches.
He is significantly shorter than the average power forward in the NBA but compensates for this with his outrageous length. At just 6’6”, he possesses the average wingspan of a center in the NBA. Maxiell has the same wingspan as Nikola Jokic despite being half a foot shorter than Jokic.
- Wingspan: 7’3”
- Height: 6’6”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 3%
- Percent longer than the average center: 0.3%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’11”
6. Reggie Jackson (Ape Index: +9.0″)
Reggie Jackson, along with Andre Drummond, led the Pistons to the playoffs in 2016 for the first time in almost a decade. Unfortunately, injuries have prevented this guard from living up to his true potential. Reggie is physically blessed and can stand toe-to-toe with any point guard in the league when he is healthy.
While Reggie stands at the average height of a point guard in the NBA, his wingspan is equivalent to the average of a power forward. You will only find a few people on this planet who are 6’3” and have a 7’0” wingspan, and Reggie Jackson is one of them. It’s really mind-blowing that Reggie has a longer wingspan than Blake Griffin despite being seven inches shorter.
- Wingspan: 7’0”
- Height: 6’3”
- Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard
- Percent longer than the average point guard: 8%
- Percent longer than the average shooting guard: 4%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’8”
5. Talen Horton-Tucker (Ape Index: +9.0″)
Talen Horton-Tucker is one of the youngest and most uniquely versatile prospects to ever enter the NBA in a long time. Horton-Tucker played at Simeon Career Academy where he helped the Wolverines to three consecutive City Championships.
At 6’4”, Talen stands an inch below the average height of a shooting guard in the NBA. In contrast, he has an incredible wingspan of 7’1.25″. This gives him a five-inch reach advantage over the average. He has a positive ape index of +9″ and possesses one of the longest wingspans for a shooting guard in the NBA. Talen Horton-Tucker’s wingspan is two inches longer than John Wall’s despite standing at the same height. With a wingspan of 6’9, Wall has some pretty long arms for his height as well.
- Wingspan: 7’1”
- Height: 6’4”
- Position: Shooting Guard
- Percent longer than the average shooting guard: 5%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 6’9”
4. Bismack Biyombo (Ape Index: +10.0″)
Bismack Biyombo is a proven shot-blocking force. It’s not every day that you come across a 6’8″ center but Biyombo is no ordinary 6’8” guy. His length is absurd and this makes a huge difference on the defensive end of the floor.
Biyombo stands an inch shorter than the average center in the NBA but his two best attributes are rebounding and rim protection. This is due to his insane wingspan of 7’6”. He is able to compensate for his lack of height with his outrageous wingspan that is remarkably three inches longer than the average NBA center. Bismarck has a longer wingspan than Yao Ming despite Ming towering over him by a whopping 10 inches.
- Wingspan: 7’6”
- Height: 6’8”
- Position: Power Forward/Center
- Percent longer than the average power forward: 6%
- Percent longer than the average center: 3%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’2”
3. Mohamed Bamba (Ape Index: +10.0″)
Mo Bamba, the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, is best known for his ability to protect the rim and play stifling defense. In a group full of long, tall people, Bamba still stands out with an insane wingspan of 7’10” that allows for court coverage the likes of which hasn’t been seen.
Standing at 7’0″ and with a wingspan of 7’10”, Bamba has a significant physical advantage over the average center in the NBA. He is two inches taller than the 6’11” average and his wingspan is an outrageous seven inches longer than the average 7’3”.
His ape index is +10″, and he has the second-longest wingspan officially measured in the NBA after Tacko Fall. It is also interesting to note that Shaq’s wingspan is three inches shorter than Bamba’s despite being only an inch shorter.
- Wingspan: 7’10”
- Height: 7’0”
- Position: Center
- Percent longer than the average center: 8%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’6”
2. Bruno Caboclo (Ape Index: +10.0″)
Bruno Caboclo was recently traded to the Rockets; he initially played for the Toronto Raptors. He is still pretty young with his best basketball ahead of him. Some believe the Toronto Raptors picked Bruno in the 2014 NBA draft solely based on his length, which is quite understandable considering he has a wingspan that measures a staggering 7’7”. Caboclo has the same wingspan as Shaq despite standing four inches shorter.
At 6’9”, Bruno is as tall as the average power forward in the NBA. However, one of his most intriguing characteristics is that his wingspan is four inches longer than the average center in the NBA despite standing significantly shorter than the average center. Paul George’s wingspan is a whopping 8 inches shorter than Bruno’s despite standing at the same height.
- Wingspan: 7’7”
- Height: 6’9”
- Position: Small forward
- Percent longer than the average small forward: 10%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 7’3”
1. Manute Bol (Ape Index: +11.0″)
Manute Bol is one of the best shot blockers in the history of American basketball. During his rookie season, this 7’7” giant led the league with five blocks per game. He went on to lead the league in that category once more before finishing his career with an average of 3.3 blocks per game despite averaging only 18.7 minutes per game.
Bol’s wingspan measures a staggering 8’6”, which is unofficially the longest in the history of the NBA. It should come as no surprise where he gets his shot-blocking prowess from. His wingspan is a whopping 15 inches longer than the average center in the NBA. Bol is also eight inches taller than the average center. Tacko Fall’s wingspan is 4 inches shorter than Bol’s despite standing at roughly the same height.
- Wingspan: 8’6”
- Height: 7’7”
- Position: Center
- Percent longer than the average center: 17%
- Predicted height with this wingspan in the NBA: 8’2”
Average NBA Wingspan by Position
League-wide averages by position, shown for baseline context.
| Position | Average Wingspan |
| Point Guard | 6′ 6″ |
| Shooting Guard | 6′ 9″ |
| Small Forward | 6′ 11″ |
| Power Forward | 7′ 1″ |
| Center | 7′ 3″ |
Honorable Mentions
Not quite at the extreme end, but still well above the NBA norm.
| Player | Height | Wingspan | Ape Index |
| Udoka Azubuike | 6′ 11.5″ | 7′ 7.25″ | +7.75″ |
| DeMarcus Cousins | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 5.75″ | +7.75″ |
| Scottie Barnes | 6′ 7″ | 7′ 2.75″ | +7.75″ |
| Anthony Davis | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 5.5″ | +7.5″ |
| Rudy Gobert | 7′ 1″ | 7′ 8.5″ | +7.5″ |
| Kent Bazemore | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 11.5″ | +7.5″ |
| Tacko Fall | 7′ 7″ | 8′ 2.25″ | +7.25″ |
| Nassir Little | 6′ 6″ | 7′ 1″ | +7.0″ |
| Donovan Mitchell | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 10″ | +7.0″ |
| Victor Wembanyama | 7′ 5″ | 8′ 0″ | +7.0″ |
| Johnathan Motley | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 4″ | +7.0″ |
| Nigel Hayes | 6′ 8″ | 7′ 3″ | +7.0″ |
| Kevin McHale | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 5″ | +7.0″ |
| Frank Ntilikina | 6′ 6″ | 7′ 1″ | +7.0″ |
| Thomas Bryant | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 6″ | +7.0″ |
| Hassan Whiteside | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 7″ | +7.0″ |
| DeAndre Jordan | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 6″ | +7.0″ |
| Dwyane Wade | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 11″ | +7.0″ |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 7′ 1″ | 7′ 8″ | +7.0″ |
| Kyle O’Quinn | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 5″ | +7.0″ |
| Leandro Barbosa | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 10″ | +7.0″ |
| Norman Powell | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 11″ | +7.0″ |
| Andrei Kirilenko | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 4″ | +7.0″ |
| Scottie Pippen | 6′ 8″ | 7′ 3″ | +7.0″ |
| Eric Bledsoe | 6′ 1″ | 6′ 8″ | +7.0″ |
| Brandon Ingram | 6′ 8″ | 7′ 3″ | +7.0″ |
| Rudy Gay | 6′ 8″ | 7′ 3″ | +7.0″ |
| John Henson | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 5″ | +7.0″ |
| Kelly Oubre Jr. | 6′ 7″ | 7′ 2″ | +7.0″ |
| Larry Sanders | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 6″ | +7.0″ |
| Fred Jones | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 11″ | +7.0″ |
| P. J. Tucker | 6′ 5″ | 7′ 0″ | +7.0″ |
| DeJuan Blair | 6′ 7″ | 7′ 2″ | +7.0″ |
| Coby Karl | 6′ 5″ | 7′ 0″ | +7.0″ |
| Marvin Williams | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 4″ | +7.0″ |
| Ike Diogu | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 4″ | +7.0″ |
| Wade Baldwin IV | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 11″ | +7.0″ |
| David West | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 4″ | +7.0″ |
| Shelden Williams | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 4″ | +7.0″ |
| Zach Edey | 7′ 4″ | 7′ 10.75″ | +6.75″ |
| Aaron Holiday | 6′ 1″ | 6′ 7.5″ | +6.5″ |
| Dwight Howard | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 4.5″ | +6.5″ |
| Eddy Curry | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 6.5″ | +6.5″ |
| DeSagana Diop | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 6.5″ | +6.5″ |
| Brendan Haywood | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 6.5″ | +6.5″ |
| Gilbert Arenas | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 9.5″ | +6.5″ |
| Marial Shayok | 6′ 6″ | 7′ 0″ | +6.0″ |
| Jeremy Lamb | 6′ 5″ | 6′ 11″ | +6.0″ |
| Kevin Durant | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 5″ | +6.0″ |
| Noah Vonleh | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 4″ | +6.0″ |
| Shaquille O’Neal | 7′ 1″ | 7′ 7″ | +6.0″ |
| JaVale McGee | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 6″ | +6.0″ |
| Boban Marjanović | 7′ 4″ | 7′ 10″ | +6.0″ |
| Devin Booker | 6′ 6″ | 7′ 0″ | +6.0″ |
| Edy Tavares | 7′ 3″ | 7′ 9″ | +6.0″ |
| Jarrett Allen | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 5″ | +6.0″ |
| Andre Drummond | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 6″ | +6.0″ |
| Nenê Hilário | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 5″ | +6.0″ |
| Zhou Qi | 7′ 2″ | 7′ 8″ | +6.0″ |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 5″ | +6.0″ |
| Cole Aldrich | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 5″ | +6.0″ |
| Ron Baker | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 10″ | +6.0″ |
| Al-Farouq Aminu | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 3″ | +6.0″ |
| Eric Gordon | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 9″ | +6.0″ |
| Pascal Siakam | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 3″ | +6.0″ |
| James Harden | 6′ 5″ | 6′ 11″ | +6.0″ |
| LaMarcus Aldridge | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 5″ | +6.0″ |
| Draymond Green | 6′ 7″ | 7′ 1″ | +6.0″ |
| Shawne Williams | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 3″ | +6.0″ |
| Marcus Smart | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 9″ | +6.0″ |
| Derrick Favors | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 4″ | +6.0″ |
| Bill Russell | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 4″ | +6.0″ |
| George Hill | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 9″ | +5.0″ |
| Tyreke Evans | 6′ 6″ | 6′ 11″ | +5.0″ |
Ape Indices of Other Famous NBA Players
Well-known stars whose wingspans are notable, but less extreme than the players above.
| Player | Height | Wingspan | Ape Index |
| Mark Williams | 7′ 1″ | 7′ 6.5″ | +5.5″ |
| Deandre Ayton | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 5″ | +5.0″ |
| Ja Morant | 6′ 2″ | 6′ 7″ | +5.0″ |
| Jalen Brunson | 6’2″ | 6’4″ | +2″ |
| Michael Jordan | 6′ 6″ | 6′ 11″ | +5.0″ |
| John Wall | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 9″ | +5.0″ |
| Kobe Bryant | 6′ 6″ | 6′ 11″ | +5.0″ |
| Chet Holmgren | 7′ 1″ | 7′ 6″ | +5.0″ |
| Damian Lillard | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 7.75″ | +4.75″ |
| Zach Randolph | 6′ 9″ | 7′ 2″ | +5.0″ |
| Victor Oladipo | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 9″ | +5.0″ |
| Derrick Rose | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 8″ | +5.0″ |
| Tracy McGrady | 6′ 8″ | 7′ 1″ | +5.0″ |
| Bol Bol | 7′ 2.5″ | 7′ 7″ | +4.5″ |
| Robin Lopez | 7′ 1″ | 7′ 5.5″ | +4.5″ |
| Brook Lopez | 7′ 1″ | 7′ 5.5″ | +4.5″ |
| LeBron James | 6′ 8″ | 7′ 0″ | +4.0″ |
| Chris Paul | 6′ 0″ | 6′ 4″ | +4.0″ |
| Anthony Edwards | 6′ 5″ | 6′ 9″ | +4.0″ |
| Russell Westbrook | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 7.75″ | +4.75″ |
| Carmelo Anthony | 6′ 8″ | 7′ 0″ | +4.0″ |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 6′ 11″ | 7′ 3″ | +4.0″ |
| Joel Embiid | 7′ 2″ | 7′ 6″ | +4.0″ |
| Bradley Beal | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 8″ | +4.0″ |
| Luol Deng | 6′ 8″ | 7′ 0″ | +4.0″ |
| Pau Gasol | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 4″ | +4.0″ |
| Isaiah Thomas | 5′ 10″ | 6′ 2″ | +4.0″ |
| Nate Robinson | 5′ 9″ | 6′ 1″ | +4.0″ |
| Zion Williamson | 6′ 7″ | 6′ 10.5″ | +3.5″ |
| Ray Allen | 6′ 5″ | 6′ 8″ | +3.0″ |
| Kristaps Porziņģis | 7′ 3″ | 7′ 6″ | +3.0″ |
| Andrew Bogut | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 3″ | +3.0″ |
| Nikola Jokić | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 3″ | +3.0″ |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 3″ | +3.0″ |
| DeMar DeRozan | 6′ 6″ | 6′ 9″ | +3.0″ |
| Jayson Tatum | 6′ 8″ | 6′ 11″ | +3.0″ |
| C.J. McCollum | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 6″ | +3.0″ |
| Al Horford | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 1″ | +3.0″ |
| Allen Iverson | 6′ 0″ | 6′ 3″ | +3.0″ |
| Lonzo Ball | 6′ 6″ | 6′ 9″ | +3.0″ |
| Paul George | 6′ 9″ | 6′ 11″ | +2.0″ |
| Tony Parker | 6′ 2″ | 6′ 4″ | +2.0″ |
| Kyrie Irving | 6′ 2″ | 6′ 4″ | +2.0″ |
| Dirk Nowitzki | 7′ 0″ | 7′ 2″ | +2.0″ |
| Kevin Love | 6′ 9″ | 6′ 11″ | +2.0″ |
| Tyson Chandler | 7′ 1″ | 7′ 3″ | +2.0″ |
| Roy Hibbert | 7′ 2″ | 7′ 4″ | +2.0″ |
| Klay Thompson | 6′ 7″ | 6′ 9″ | +2.0″ |
| Ben Simmons | 6′ 10″ | 7′ 0″ | +2.0″ |
| Luka Dončić | 6′ 7″ | 6′ 9″ | +2.0″ |
| Kemba Walker | 6′ 1″ | 6′ 3.5″ | +2.5″ |
| Blake Griffin | 6′ 10″ | 6′ 11″ | +1.0″ |
| Kyle Lowry | 6′ 1″ | 6′ 2″ | +1.0″ |
| Stephen Curry | 6′ 3″ | 6′ 3.5″ | +0.5″ |
| Jimmy Butler | 6′ 8″ | 6′ 8″ | +0.0″ |
| Gordon Hayward | 6′ 8″ | 6′ 8″ | +0.0″ |
NBA Players With Negative Ape Indices (T-Rex Arms)
Rare cases where wingspan is shorter than height.
| Player | Height | Wingspan | Ape Index |
| Martynas Andriuškevičius | 7′ 3″ | 6′ 11″ | -4.0″ |
| Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk | 6′ 8″ | 6′ 5″ | -3.0″ |
| Jon Scheyer | 6′ 6″ | 6′ 3″ | -3.0″ |
| Kelly Olynyk | 7′ 0″ | 6′ 10″ | -2.0″ |
| Frank Kaminsky | 7′ 1″ | 6′ 11″ | -2.0″ |
| JJ Redick | 6′ 5″ | 6′ 3″ | -2.0″ |
| Dan Langhi | 6′ 10″ | 6′ 8″ | -2.0″ |
| Kevin Willis | 7′ 0″ | 6′ 10″ | -2.0″ |
| Antonis Fotsis | 6′ 10″ | 6′ 8.5″ | -1.5″ |
| Mason Plumlee | 7′ 0″ | 6′ 11″ | -1.0″ |
| Yao Ming | 7′ 6″ | 7′ 5″ | -1.0″ |
| Cody Zeller | 7′ 0″ | 6′ 11″ | -1.0″ |
11 Longest Wingspans in NBA History
The longest officially recorded wingspans the NBA has ever seen.
| Rank | Player | Wingspan |
| 1 | Manute Bol | 8′ 6″ |
| 2 | Tacko Fall | 8′ 2.25″ |
| 3 | Victor Wembanyama | 8′ 0″ |
| 4 | Zach Edey | 7′ 10.75″ |
| 5 | Boban Marjanović | 7′ 10″ |
| 6 | Mohamed Bamba | 7′ 10″ |
| 7 | Alexis Ajinça | 7′ 9″ |
| 8 | Walter Tavares | 7′ 9″ |
| 9 | Rudy Gobert | 7′ 8.5″ |
| 10 | Mouhamed Sene | 7′ 8.5″ |
| 11 | Wilt Chamberlain | 7′ 8″ |