With the sensational Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook falling under 6’3â€, it’s easy to assume that taller guys cannot be point guards. But if history is anything to go by, taller guys can also play point guard. So, who is the tallest point guard in the NBA?
Does the name Magic Johnson ring a bell? The LA Lakers legend is the tallest point guard in NBA history. At 6’9â€, Magic Johnson is also the joint-second tallest NBA point guard of all time.
Leading the line in the all-time list is the Australian sensation Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers. Simmons measures 6’11â€, which is above the average height (6’2â€) for NBA point guards.
Let me break down the top 5 point guards in history and present and round up things with the all-time list.
Now, Who Is The Tallest Point Guard In The NBA?
Let’s talk about the tallest point guard(s) in NBA history.
Top 5 Tallest Point Guards in the NBA History
1. Magic Johnson
Height – 6’9â€
NBA Team – LA Lakers
Magic Johnson is arguably the greatest (statistically speaking) point guard of all time, and it’s hard to argue with the numbers. His accolades are just outstanding.
The LA Lakers legend got the name ‘Magic’ during his high school playing days when he averaged an outrageous 36 points, 16 assists, and 16 rebounds.
And that’s not all. Magic Johnson enjoys 12 all-star nominees, 3MVP awards, to name a few.
During his playing time, his game IQ, sharp vision, and excellent passing skills were unequaled.
At 6’9â€, Johnson is the tallest point guard in NBA history and the second tallest of all time.
2. Oscar Robertson
Height – 6’5â€
NBA Team – Cincinnati Royals & Milwaukee Bucks
Though 6’5†may not sound tall enough now, it was a big deal for point guards when Oscar Robertson played for the Royals and Bucks.
Robertson was the first-ever NBA player to record a triple-double a season. Perhaps, his height helped but what was undeniable was his aggression on the basketball court and offensive prowess.
In his highlight season, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per match.
3. Gary Payton
Height – 6’4â€
NBA Team – Boston Celtics, LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Seattle Supersonics & Milwaukee Bucks
It seems that there is no big name that Gary Payton didn’t play for. From Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers to Miami Heats and Milwaukee Bucks, Payton was loved wherever he went.
There was also the Seattle Supersonics, where his outstanding defensive attributes won him a spot in the hearts of the Supersonics faithful.
At 6’4â€, Gary Payton is the third tallest point guard in history. Nicknamed ‘The Glove,’ Payton is the only NBA defensive player to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
4. Watt Frazier
Height – 6’4â€
NBA Team – Cleveland Cavaliers & New York Knicks
Watt Frazier is another notable taller NBA point guard who defines resilience. During his rookie year, Frazier only managed 9 points per game, which was below expectation.
He, however, worked harder the following season to average 17.5 points, which was almost double.
He is famous for leading the NY Knicks to the 1970 NBA championship glory over the LA Lakers when he managed 19 assists and an unbelievable 36 points.
Other than the Knicks, he played for the Cavaliers.
At 6’4â€, Frazier ties Gary Payton and Jason Kids as the third tallest point guards in NBA history.
5. Jason Kidd
Height – 6’4â€
NBA Team – Dallas Maverick, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns, and New York Knicks
At 6’4â€, Jason Kidd ties Gary Payton and Watt Frazer at position three. He currently coaches the Dallas Mavericks, a team he knows very well, having played for them.
He is, however, primarily remembered for leading the New Jersey Nets to two successful NBA championship finals in just his first two years.
Even though they lost both finals, it was a remarkable achievement that makes him one of the best PGs to have played the game.
Besides the Mavericks and the Nets, Kidd played for the Knicks and the Suns.
Kidd is the second on the all-time assist list and the third in the all-time steals list.
Top 5 Tallest Point Guards in the NBA Today
Here are the top 5 tallest point guards actively playing in the NBA:
1. Benjamin ‘Ben’ Simmons
Height – 6’11â€
NBA Team – Philadelphia 76ers
Hailing from Australia, Ben Simmons, 6’11â€, is the tallest point guard in the NBA right now and the tallest of all time.
With the average height for NBA point guards being 6’2â€, Simmons has a height advantage over his peers.
That explains his impressive defense statistics. Though the 2020/2021 season was not his best offensively, his defensive attributes kept the 76ers in the conference league.
Simmons was the first draft during the 2016 NBA Draft and has won three NBA all-star recognitions. He also won the 2015 Mr. Basketball U.S.A, the 2018 Rookie of the Year Award, the 20 2020 NBA Steals Award, among many others.
Simmons was also featured in the 2020 All-NBA Third Team and the 2020 and 2021 NBA All-defensive First Team.
2. Kyle F. Anderson
Height – 6’9â€
NBA Team – Memphis Grizzlies
Kyle F. Anderson ties with the legendary Magic Johnson and a few other guys on the list in height. At 6’9, the Grizzlies point guard was one of the most decisive figures during the 2020/2021 season.
He excels at initiating offenses and moving the ball at both ends of the basketball court.
His contract with the Memphis Grizzlies runs to the end of the 2021/2022 season. So, we have to watch to see where he’ll play after that.
3. Yuta Watanabe
Height – 6’9â€
NBA Team – Toronto Raptors
Japanese Yuta Watanabe joined the Raptors from the Memphis Grizzlies, and he is currently one of the most creative playmakers in the league.
Yuta is a laidback guy, but his height often gives him away. What’s undeniable is his game IQ, which has enabled him to win the Raptor faithful over.
At 6’9â€, he holds the joint second position of the tallest NBA point guard of all time.
While we don’t expect him to grow taller, we expect his defensive brilliance to continue.
4. Cameron ‘Cam’ Reddish
Height – 6’8â€
NBA Team – Atlanta Hawks
Cameron Reddish, popularly known as Cam Reddish, is the fourth tallest PG in the NBA today. At 6’8, Cam Reddish is such a notable guy on the basketball pitch.
During the 2020/2021 season, he averaged 11.2 points per game, which is decent for a defender. Though he has been injury-marred, he remains a rock at the heart of the Hawks defense.
Cameron is known to defend against taller guys, and his passing ability is commendable. At only 22, Reddish is an exciting prospect for the NBA and the U.S national team.
5. Jayson Tatum
Height – 6’8â€
NBA Team – Boston Celtic
Jayson Tatum is an exciting playmaker for the Boston Celtic. At 6’8â€, Tatum is the joint fourth tallest point guard in the NBA today.
During 2020-2021, he averaged 24.9 points per NBA game, which is not just a career-high but an impressive statistic for a taller point guard.
Currently, his superb passing skills have been instrumental for the Bolton Celtic’s remarkable run.
Tatum is famous for winning the 2019 NBA Skills challenge and featured in the 2020 All-NBA Third Team. Moreover, he was a member of the 2020 US Olympic Team.
At only 23, Tatum has a bright NBA future ahead of him.
Other Tall Point Guards Currently Playing in the NBA
In addition to the above top 5 PG in NBA, other worthy mentions that tie Jason Tatum and Cam Reddish at 6’8†include.
- Rodney Hood
Height – 6’8â€
Current Team – Toronto Raptors
- Rudy Gay
Height – 6’8â€
Current Team – San Antonio Spurs
- Isaac Bonga
Height – 6’8â€
Current Team – Washington Wizards
- Brandon Clarke
Height – 6’8â€
Current Team – Memphis Grizzlies
- Nicholas Batum
Height – 6’8â€
Current Team – LA Clippers
Top 5 Point Guards of All Time in the NBA
Having looked at the tallest point guards in the NBA history and the tallest now, here are the top 5 tallest of all time:
- Ben Simmons (Height – 6’11â€) (NBA Team – Philadelphia 76ers)
- Magic Johnson (Height – 6’9â€) (NBA Team – LA Lakers)
- Kyle F. Anderson (Height – 6’9â€) (NBA Team – Memphis Grizzlies)
- Yuta Watanabe (Height – 6’9â€) (NBA Team – Toronto Raptors)
- Cameron Reddish (Height – 6’8â€) (NBA Team – Atlanta Hawks)
FAQs About the Tallest Point Guard in the NBA
1. What Is the Average Height of an NBA Point Guard?
According to the NBA standards, the average height of an NBA point guard is 6’2â€. So, anyone taller than 6’2†is tall.
2. Are Point Guards Short?
Point Guards generally average 6’2â€, which is not short but average height.
3. Can A Point Guard Be Tall?
Forgotten are the days when NBA point guards averaged 6’2â€. Nowadays, point guards are taller than 6’2â€, some as tall as 6’11â€, as it’s the case of Ben Simmons.
Relevant:
In Conclusion, Who Is The Tallest Point Guard In The NBA?
Now you know that Magic Johnson, 6’9â€, is the tallest point guard in NBA history while Ben Simmons, 6’11â€, is the tallest currently. But who knows, the records could change hands in the future!