Victor Wembanyama, the highly anticipated No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, has officially been measured, and the numbers are in. Basketball enthusiasts and scouts have long speculated about the towering height of this French phenom, and the San Antonio Spurs have now provided the definitive answer. So, just How Tall Is Victor Wembanyama?
Victor Wembanyama and Bilal Coulibaly at Rucker Park, highlighting Wembanyama's exceptional height as he prepares to become the NBA's second tallest player.
The San Antonio Spurs announced on Wednesday that Victor Wembanyama’s official height is 7 feet, 3.5 inches. This measurement was conducted without shoes, adhering to NBA guidelines, ensuring an accurate representation of his stature. This revelation confirms Wembanyama’s place among the NBA’s giants, positioning him as the league’s second-tallest player for the upcoming season.
Victor Wembanyama’s Height Evolution
Interestingly, this official measurement indicates that Wembanyama may have grown slightly since October of the previous year. During his time in Las Vegas for exhibition games, Wembanyama stated his height to be 2.21 meters, which translates to approximately 7 feet, 3 inches. His current official height of nearly 2.23 meters suggests a growth of about half an inch. This slight increase is not unexpected, considering he was 18 years old at the time of the previous measurement and has since turned 19, an age where some individuals may still experience growth spurts.
Prior to the official measurement, various sources and listings had placed Wembanyama’s height anywhere between 7-foot-2 and 7-foot-5. These estimations were often fueled by visual comparisons, where Wembanyama’s imposing frame seemed to dwarf other seven-footers in photographs. The NBA’s own guide for the recent draft had listed him at 7-foot-4, but this was acknowledged as an unofficial figure, not based on a formal measurement.
Victor Wembanyama’s Height in the NBA Landscape
With his official height of 7 feet, 3.5 inches, Victor Wembanyama is set to become the second-tallest player in the NBA for the upcoming season. As of the past season, Boban Marjanovic held the title of the NBA’s tallest player, officially listed at 7-foot-4. Following closely behind was Kristaps Porzingis, then with the Washington Wizards and now with the Boston Celtics, who is listed at 7-foot-3. Wembanyama’s height places him squarely between these two towering figures, solidifying his exceptional size within the league.
The NBA’s Official Height Measurement Process
The NBA implemented a policy change before the 2019-20 season, mandating that all players be measured without shoes for their official height. This standardized approach aimed to provide more accurate and consistent height listings. This change led to some players’ listed heights decreasing slightly from previous estimations, while others, like Kevin Durant, surprisingly saw an increase in their official height when remeasured.
Most NBA draft prospects undergo official height measurements at the NBA Draft Combine, typically held in Chicago in May. However, Victor Wembanyama was unable to attend the combine due to his commitments with his team in France, whose season was still ongoing at the time. Upon his arrival in San Antonio, the Spurs promptly arranged for his official measurement, providing the definitive answer to the question: how tall is Victor Wembanyama?
Interestingly, even at the Draft Combine, Wembanyama would have been the tallest participant, albeit by a slim margin. Zach Edey of Purdue University, the AP college basketball player of the year, measured at 7 feet, 3.25 inches at the combine. This close comparison further emphasizes just how exceptionally tall Victor Wembanyama is, even when compared to other elite basketball players. His height, combined with his unique skillset, makes him a truly singular prospect as he embarks on his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs.
