Size matters, especially in the NBA. In this league full of giants, being big is almost a non-negotiable – the average height of an NBA player (6’6.5″) is 8 inches more than an average American male.
But it’s not just their height that’s above average. In this article, we’re going to look at the players with the biggest hands in the NBA.
10. Wilt Chamberlain: 9.5″ x 11.5″
- Hand size: 9.5 inches (hand length) and 11.5 inches (hand span)
- Height: 7’1″
- Wingspan: 7’8″
Wilt Chamberlain is a true NBA legend, and his athleticism and physical stature were a huge part of his dominance over league rivals in the 1960s. He was 7’1″ and had a giant hand span of 11.5 inches, which helped him score the record number of points in a single NBA game (100).
9. Kawhi Leonard: 9.75″ x 11.25″
- Hand size: 9.75 inches (hand length) and 11.25 inches (hand span)
- Height: 6’7″
- Wingspan: 7’3″
The first active NBA player on our list, Kawhi Leonard, is known as one of the greatest defensive and clutch performers in modern NBA history. A double NBA Champion and Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard’s hand length of 9.75 inches undoubtedly gave him an advantage over many of his rivals.
8. Michael Jordan: 9.75″ x 11.38″
- Hand size: 9.75 inches (hand length) and 11.375 inches (hand span)
- Height: 6’6″
- Wingspan: 6’11″
It’s not exactly a shock to see His Airness on an all-time NBA list. However, given his average height by NBA standards, it’s incredible to think he has a hand span that’s nearly a foot long, making him number eight on our list. His legacy and impact on basketball is unmatched, but many people don’t know the impact Michael Jordan’s hand size had on his ability.
7. Julius Erving: 9.5″ x 11.75″
- Hand size: 9.5 inches (hand length) and 11.75 inches (hand span)
- Height: 6’7″
- Wingspan: 6’11″
Just like Kawhi Leonard and Michael Jordan, Julius Erving is another entry on our list that has humungous hands relative to his height. Standing at a modest 6’7″, Dr. J has a hand span of 11.75 inches, which allowed him to wow fans with incredible athleticism and dunking ability.
6. Noah Vonleh: 9.75″ x 11.75″
- Hand size: 9.75 inches (hand length) and 11.75 inches (hand span)
- Height: 6’10″
- Wingspan: 7’4″
Noah Vonleh played in eight NBA seasons for eight different teams. He averaged less than 5 points per game during his NBA career, so will probably be most remembered for his giant 11.75 inch hand span. Vonleh is still an active professional and now plays for the Shanghai Sharks in the CBA.
5. Connie Hawkins: 10.5″ x 11″
- Hand size: 10.5 inches (hand length) and 11 inches (hand span)
- Height: 6’8″
- Wingspan: 7’1″
After overcoming a ban early in his basketball career due to his alleged involvement in a college basketball point-shaving scheme, Connie Hawkins went on to become a four-time NBA All-Star between 1970 and 1973. He had the second largest hand length of any NBA player in history (10.5 inches).
4. Gregory Smith: 9.8″ x 12″
- Hand size: 9.8 inches (hand length) and 12 inches (hand span)
- Height: 6’10
- Wingspan: 7’3″
Gregory Smith is the first name on our list to have a foot-long hand span, which helped him forge a successful career as a professional basketball player, where he spent five years in the NBA. After leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2016, Smith played for teams worldwide, most recently for Mineros de Zacatecas in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 9.85″ x 12″
- Hand size: 9.85 inches (hand length) and 12 inches (hand span)
- Height: 6’11″
- Wingspan: 7’3″
Giannis the “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo got his nickname for good reason. Giannis’s hand size and incredible stature have helped him become one of the superstars of the NBA since being drafted in 2013. A two-time MVP, Giannis has relied on his incredible athleticism and all-round skills to turn the Milwaukee Bucks into a consistent Championship threat.
2. Shaquille O’Neal: 10.25″ x 12″
- Shaq hand size: 10.25 inches (hand length) and 12 inches (hand span)
- Height: 7’1″
- Wingspan: 7’7″
When you think NBA big man, you probably think Shaq. A giant in every sense, Shaq’s physical presence and athletic ability made him one of the greatest centers to ever play the game. Shaq’s hand size comes in at a whopping 10.25 inches in length with a 12 inch span.
During his glittering career, he got those massive hands on trophies for an incredible four NBA championships, three finals MVPs, and one league MVP.
1. Boban Marjanovic: 10.75″ x 12″
- Hand size: 10.75 inches (hand length) and 12 inches (hand span)
- Height: 7’4″
- Wingspan
Serbian Center Boban Marjanovic isn’t exactly a house hold name, but he does have the biggest hands of any NBA player in history. Despite having the biggest hands in the NBA and a height of 7’4″, he’s not even close to being the tallest player in NBA history (7’7″).
Boban Marjanovic’s hands have helped him average 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per regular season game over a nine season career. Will there ever be a player with bigger mitts than the Serbian in the NBA? Only time will tell.
How Is Hand Size Measured?
A quick note on how hand size is measured for basketball players.
Scouts for each of the NBA franchises want to know the hand sizes of potential players, as it’s easier to control and manipulate a basketball if you can grip it more fully. There are two measurements taken for prospective NBA players hands during the league draft combine. They are:
- Hand length: This is the distance from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the palm, where it meets the wrist.
- Hand span: This is the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the pinky finger, with the hand outstretched.
A Final Word
If you’ve ever visited the NBA store in New York, you will have seen the incredible hand prints of famous players and had the chance to compare your hands to theirs. This probably made you feel pretty small, and maybe our list did too, but don’t worry, you won’t have to go onto the court with them anytime soon!
FAQs
Boban Marjanovic has the biggest hands in the NBA. The Serbian Center has played for several years in the NBA, and is currently on the Houston Rockets roster.
TJ McConnell has the smallest hands in the NBA of any current player. The Pacers point guard has a hand span of just 7 inches and a hand length of just 7.5 inches.
Michael Jordan has slightly bigger hands than Kawhi Leonard. They both have a hand length of 9.75 inches, however Jordan has a hand width of 11.375 inches, compared to Kawhi’s 11.25.
By regular standards, LeBron James has giant hands, but in terms of the NBA, they’re fairly average. LeBron’s hands are 9.25 inches long, but his handspan is just 9.0 inches. This is relatively small compared to Kawhi Leonard’s 11.25 inch handspan.
12-time NBA All Star and current Golden State Warriors guard, Chris Paul has a reported hand length of 7 inches, and handspan of nine inches. This hand size is small for an NBA player but matches his height of 6ft 0in.
Former Houston Rockets star Yao Ming has a wingspan of 7ft 5inches to go with his 7ft 6inch height.
Michael Jordan has a wingspan of 6’11″ and a hand span of 11.375 inches. This allowed him to control the ball and make life difficult for his opponents on both offense and defense.
Apparently not. Durant once told reporters that although he stands at 6ft 11inches tall, his hands aren’t big enough to palm a regulation sized, fully pumped up NBA ball.