Did you know that a basketball player in the NBA is typically 6 feet 6 inches tall? That is nine inches taller than the typical American male (5 feet 9 inches).
We’ll explore the potential causes of this startling disparity in height between basketball players and the general population. Here is a brief justification.
Why Basketball Players Are Tall
The majority of basketball players, particularly those competing at the NBA and NCAA levels, are genetically gifted people. Although there are several contributing elements, heredity is the key determinant in determining how tall a person can grow. Basketball players are tall, in other words, because their parents are tall.
Manute Bol, who passed away and was one of the NBA’s tallest players ever at 7 feet 7 inches, is a fantastic illustration of this. Did his height have any hereditary component? Yep!
Bol’s mother was 6 feet 10 inches tall, while his father stood at 6 feet 8 inches. Bol’s great-grandfather was also almost 8 feet tall! Bol played basketball professionally for 12 years after being selected by the Washington Bullets in the 1985 NBA Draft.
How Height Benefits Basketball Players
Basketball players that are tall have a unique advantage on the court. There’s no doubting that taller players have an advantage, even though lower players like Muggsy Bogues (who is barely 5 feet 3 inches) have shown that height isn’t everything. Here are a few benefits that tall players naturally have.
Makes it Easier to Dunk
Basketball players who are taller find it simpler to dominate above the rim. A 7-foot center with lengthy limbs can typically slam the ball down with ease. On the other side, a 6-foot point guard with shorter arms finds dunks to be much more challenging.
Can Create Open Jump Shots
Taller players can take advantage of more open shots at the hoop by using their height. A taller player can jump high enough to make his own open jump shot even when a defender is protecting him. For the Brooklyn Nets, 6-foot-10 Kevin Durant does this exceptionally well.
Distinct Rebounding Edge
A basketball player’s height may enable them to score more rebounds. A tall athlete typically has longer arms than a player of normal height, which allows him to reach the ball more quickly. Charles Barkley is an exception, but for the most part, great rebounders are tall people.
Can Block More Shots
A tall defender has a lot of shot-blocking ability. This really aids the defense because it may lead to some turnovers. Yao Ming, who stood 7 feet 6 inches tall and had a huge wingspan, was one of the finest shot blockers in the NBA.
Easier to Get Up and Down the Court
Players that are taller than you move around the court more quickly. They can take longer strides because they have significantly longer legs.
Can Playing Basketball Make You Taller?
No, basketball cannot directly increase your height. Basketball does, however, have a few unintended consequences that could assist someone in growing to their full height. Those variables are discussed below.
How Basketball Players Grow Tall
Regular Exercise
Young basketball players who workout regularly get taller. This is due to an increase in growth hormone during vigorous physical activity. Height gains and the development of muscles are brought on by growth hormone, or GH.
Numerous sprints enhance the secretion of growth hormone, according to studies. It goes without saying that during basketball games and practices, there is a lot of sprinting. Remember this the next time you begin to fear the suicides at the conclusion of practice!
The majority of basketball players also participate in a severe weight training regimen. This has been shown to increase growth hormone and testosterone, which could cause growth spurts in young players.
Balanced Diet
The food that great basketball players put into their bodies is carefully considered. They constantly make sure to consume a enough amount of protein, complex carbohydrates, and good fats. Additionally, they take care to stay hydrated by consuming a lot of water each day.
They receive the nutrients they need from this kind of balanced diet, which can also cause them to grow taller. At least not frequently, you won’t see elite basketball players simply stuffing themselves with junk food.
Vitamins and Other Growth Supplements
The nutrition of great basketball players is carefully considered. They always ensure that they consume a enough amount of protein, slow-burning carbohydrates, and good fats. In addition, they make a point of drinking a lot of water during the day to stay hydrated.
They get the nutrients they need from this well-balanced diet, which can help improve their height, to play well on the court. Great basketball players don’t just stuff themselves with junk food, at least not on a regular basis.
Getting Plenty of Sleep
Did you know that without enough sleep, the body cannot grow? Without a regular sleep schedule, no amount of training, nutrition, or vitamins will help a basketball player develop. Growth hormone levels are at their highest while a person is sleeping, which aids in achieving their maximum height.
How much sleep should a basketball player get? Basketball players require between eight and ten hours of sleep per night, but the majority of people can function on six or seven hours. A research from Stanford University found that getting 10 hours of sleep per night improved a basketball player’s running and shooting skills.
Practicing Good Posture
When our mothers advise us to sit up straight and don’t slouch, we all have a tendency to become irritated with them. Her suggestion, nevertheless, might help you become taller, particularly if you haven’t reached adulthood. Slouching causes the spine to constrict, which may prevent someone from becoming as tall as they would like.
By simply adopting correct posture, you can grow one to two inches taller, claims FindHealthTips. You accomplish this by sitting up straight and placing both of your feet firmly on the ground. Additionally, avoid using a pillow that is too high or sleeping on a bed that is too soft.
Hanging
Did you realize that hanging can make you grow taller? It may sound like a gimmick, but it’s actually true! A person can grow to their full height by hanging because it relieves pressure on their spine.
Exactly what is hanging? It is a strenuous form of stretching that lengthens the spine over time. But bear in mind that for any kind of height increase to occur, you must perform these hanging stretches frequently.
Basketball players enjoy hanging since it is simple to use and only requires a bar that can sustain their body weight. People are advised to hang for 30 seconds before taking a break. To achieve the best results, perform all six of these repetitions.