Evaluating Basketball Hand Dimensions
Your hand size is a critical physical dimension in basketball. Taller players typically have larger hands, but there is significant natural variance. While a larger hand size makes palming and controlling the ball much easier, smaller hands do not prevent you from becoming an elite player (e.g. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant have smaller hands relative to their height but possess elite ball control).
General vs. NBA Combine Standards
The table below lists the average hand sizes measured at the NBA draft combine by playing position:
| NBA Position | Average Hand Length | Average Hand Span |
|---|---|---|
| Point Guard | 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) | 9.0 inches (22.9 cm) |
| Shooting Guard | 8.75 inches (22.2 cm) | 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) |
| Small Forward | 8.9 inches (22.6 cm) | 9.5 inches (24.1 cm) |
| Power Forward | 9.1 inches (23.1 cm) | 9.75 inches (24.8 cm) |
| Center | 9.25 inches (23.5 cm) | 10.0 inches (25.4 cm) |