Who Has the Highest Vertical Jump in NBA History?
Viewers love to enjoy “shooting trees” in a basketball match when players manage to complete some seemingly impossible tasks.
In this way, prolonged dunks always get the fans on their feet, especially when it’s done by one of the league’s top players.
If we talk about their possibility, it seems all about mind over matter. Even though some have exceptional physical abilities that separate them from the rest.
Thus, we see athletic players show off their vertical leaps. But Who exactly are these so-called “athletic freaks” who can manage to jump so high?
Knick Knick! Michael Jordan is a perfect example of a player who still holds the record for the highest max vertical leap at 48 inches.
Let’s dive into this article to know about the top NBA players with the highest vertical jumps.
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Top 17 NBA Players Who have Highest Vertical In Basketball 2022
Since then, many players have come close to matching Michael’s feat but haven’t been able to break the record yet.
Some of the other players who have come close to breaking his record include Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, etc.
Now, move on to the next segment to learn about the 17 N.B.A. players with the highest vertical leaps.
You might be surprised by some of the names on the list. Get Ready!
| # | Player | Team | Position | Player Height | Vertical Jump Height |
| 1. | Michael Jorden | Chicago Bulls | Shooting Guard | 6 ft 6 inch | 48 inches |
| 2 | Darrell Griffith | Utah Jazz | Shooting Guard | 6 ft 4 inch | 48 inches |
| 3 | Wilt Chamberlain | Golden State Warriors | Shooting Guard | 7 ft 1 inch | 47 inches |
| 4 | Spud Webb | The Hawks | Point Guard | 5ft 6 inch | 46 inches |
| 5 | James White | New York Knicks | Guard-Forward | 6 ft 7 inch | 46 inches |
| 6 | Jason Richardson | Golden State Warriors | Shooting Guard | 6 ft 6 inch | 46.5 inches |
| 7 | Zach Lavine | Chicago Bulls | Guard-Forward | 6 ft 5 inch | 46 inches |
| 8 | Shannon Brown | Delaware Blue Coats | Shooting Guard | 6 ft 4 inch | 44.5 inches |
| 9 | Muggsy Bogues | Washington Bullets | Point Guard | 5 ft 3 inch | 44.3 inches |
| 10 | Andrew Wiggins | Golden State Warriors | Forward | 6 ft 7 inch | 44 inches |
| 11 | Lebron James | os Angeles Lakers | Forward | 6 ft 4 inch | 44 inches |
| 12 | Dee Brown | Springfield Armor | Point Guard | 6 ft 1 inch | 44 inches |
| 13 | Harold Miner | Miami Heat | Guard | 6 ft 5 inch | 44 inches |
| 14 | Anthony Spud | Atlanta Hawks | Point Guard | 5 ft 6 inch | 46 inches |
| 15 | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans | Power Forward | 6 ft 5 inch | 45 inches |
| 16 | Derrick Jones Jr. | Chicago Bulls | Small Forward | 6 ft 5 inch | 46 inches |
| 17 | Pat Connaughton | Milwaukee Bucks | Shooting Guard | 6 ft 4 inch | 44 inches |
Highest Vertical In NBA – Michael Jorden’s 48 Inches
No list can be complete without the G.O.A.T., Michael Jeffrey Jordan.
His Airness not only has the highest vertical in N.B.A. history, but he is also the namesake and inspiration for the world-renowned Jumpman logo.
His explosiveness and athleticism are unrivaled, making him the best jumper.
When you hear the name Michael Jordan, you think of greatness– and for a good reason. He is simply the greatest.
He has an effortless nature about moving and a natural ability to soar through the air.
This, combined with his fantastic hang time of 0.92 seconds, makes him the undisputed king of vertical jumpers.
I agree that his shot is like Darrell Griffith’s, but I believe that his two-inch height advantage would have given him a higher peak elevation.
In addition, Michael Jordan’s most iconic dunk is the free-throw line jump during the 1988 N.B.A. Slam Dunk Competition (TBH, the free-throw line is 15 feet away from the rim, and he made it look easy).
There is no doubt that Michael Jordan is the most incredible vertical jumper. His impressive size, strength, and athleticism make him a once-in-a-lifetime athlete.
Highest Vertical Jump in the World – Darrell Griffith 48 Inches
While studying at Louisville, Griffith has been famous for his nickname “Dr.Dunkenstein.”
In the N.B.A., where his athleticism was displayed for 11 seasons, he played his entire career for the Utah Jazz. His highest vertical jump is 48 inches.
Darrell Griffith upraised his head to the rim and gently placed the ball through the hoop. As he came back down, his feet barely grazed the hardwood.
Moreover, At 6’4″, Griffith was an incredible dunker. He could easily touch the top of the backboard, and his highest recorded vertical jump was an astonishing 48 inches.
And that’s four feet (BTW, the average person’s vertical jump is only about two feet, to put that into perspective).
Even though Griffith never won a Slam Dunk Contest, his 48-inch vertical jump is still the highest in N.B.A. history.
Griffith’s nickname, “Dr. Dunkenstein,” was given to him by Louisville fans.
He played for the Utah Jazz during his 11-year N.B.A. career and was known for his incredible quickness and dunking ability.
Highest Vertical Jump in NBA- Wilt Chamberlain 47 Inches
Known for his nickname “The Stilt,” Wilt Chamberlain was a giant amongst men.
Standing at 7’1″, he towered over most of his opponents.
Not only was he tall, but he was also an incredible athlete. He had a vertical jump of 47 inches, one of the highest in N.B.A. history.
Chamberlain was so dominant in the N.B.A. that he still holds many records, including the highest points per game average in a season and most rebounds in a game.
Further, his physical stature and skill on the court made him one of the greatest basketball players. And his high vertical jump is just another example of his showmanship.
Highest Vertical Jump in the World- Spud Webb 46 Inches
In 1986, Spud won the slam dunk contest despite being one of the shortest players in the N.B.A.
His incredible 46-inch vertical jump is still the highest recorded at the N.B.A. combine.
Even though he was only 5’7″, Spud’s massive vertical allowed him to complete a variety of successful dunks.
His performance in the dunk contest is still considered one of the best ever.
In addition, he is among a very few players who dunk with a palm hanging off the rim.
More so, to his impressive vertical, Spud was also an excellent shooter and an excellent playmaker.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Highest Vertical Jump in NBA- James White 46 Inches
James White played overseas and in the N.B.A. D-League before making his way to the Knicks in 2012.
He appeared in 57 games for them, impressing with his 46-inch vertical. That is the highest vertical jump ever recorded in the N.B.A.
White’s career was short-lived, though, and he is now out of the league.
However, thanks to his jaw-dropping inventiveness, he was undoubtedly one of the most exciting players to watch while playing.
White is known as one of the best athletes in the world. Why?
His highest vertical jump was recorded at 46 inches (116 cm). This is 6 inches (15 cm) higher than the average highest vertical jump in the N.B.A.
In addition to his impressive vertical jump, White also has a remarkable standing reach. He can touch the rim with his fingertips while standing flat-footed.
White’s size, strength, and athleticism make him one of the most unique and exciting players.
Even though he is no longer playing in the N.B.A., his legacy will live due to his incredible vertical jump.
Highest Vertical Jump in the World – Jason Richardson 46.5 Inches
In the 2001 N.B.A. draft, Jason Richardson was the 5th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors.
Regardless, at the Draft Combine, his vertical leap measurement was abysmally low (39.5 inches). However, he demonstrated solid athletic ability in the eye test.
Richardson won back-to-back Slam Dunk Challenges during the 2002 and 2003 All-Star Weekends.
Later, it was determined that his real vertical leap was 46.5 inches.
This makes him the owner of the highest vertical jump in the N.B.A. and possibly in the world.
His unreal inventiveness is a result of years of training and natural ability.
At 6’6″, he has the perfect frame for a world-class dunker and leaper. Moreover, he is a true inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere.
His 6’6 height helped him increase by 4.5 inches over the rim. During the 2003 dunk contest, he did a between-the-legs slam dunk that is now iconic.
Although Richardson retired from basketball in 2015, he is still one of the most loved basketball Warriors.
In 2007-2008, he made 243 three-pointers, a Warriors record.
Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to injuries, but he will always be remembered as an excellent player.
Highest Vertical Jump in NBA – Zach Lavine 46 Inches
N.B.A. selected Lavine to Minnesota Timberwolves as the 6th overall pick in 2014. During his draft combine, LaVine achieved a 55-inch vertical jump.
In 2015 and 2016, LaVine won back-to-back dunk contests with the highest vertical of 46 inches.
With a measurement of 6’5″, LaVine can dunk 2 inches above the rim.
Later, in 2016, under stiff competition from Aaron Gordon, LaVine still managed to win the title by dunking from the free-throw line.
He has the highest vertical in the N.B.A., but also Lavine is an exceptional athlete who continues to represent the Chicago Bulls franchise.
Although it has been a disappointing season for most of the team, he remains the only light. However, his talents go far beyond just dunking a ball.
Highest Vertical Jump in NBA – Shannon Brown 45 Inches
While playing for the Los Angeles Lakers’ regime, Shannon Brown was nothing more than a bench player.
However, as a Delaware Blue Coats member, Shannon Brown experienced many memorable moments.
The Mamba was directly replaced by him when he won 2 N.B.A. titles alongside Kobe Bryant.
Shannon Brown’s vertical leap has been recorded at 44.5 inches. Brown can raise his head above the rim with his height of 6’4″.
This makes him the highest jumper in the N.B.A., which he has held for many years.
Shannon Brown’s incredible vertical jump is just one of the many things that make him unique in the world of basketball.
Again a dunk he scored against the Dallas Mavericks was mind-blowing, making Kobe Bryant look on in awe.
He might not have been an effective rotation player, but his highest vertical jump is incomparable.
Highest Vertical Jump in the World – Muggsy Bogues 44. Inches
Due to its short 5.3″ height, many people were shocked that Muggsy Bogues could have such a successful 14-year N.B.A. career.
But Bogues lacked in height, which he made up for in his incredible vertical jump of 44 inches.
This gave him the ability to quickly dunk the ball and stand out amongst the giants of the N.B.A.
Bogues’ highest assist season came when he twice assisted on 10 baskets per game. Even though he never showed off his impressive dunking skills in an N.B.A. game,
Bogues still managed to be a key player on the court. Standing next to 7’7″ center Manute Bol, Bogues was one of the shortest players in the league but still managed to find success.
Highest Vertical Jump in NBA – Andrew Wiggins 44 Inches
In 2014 highlighted by Cleveland’s number one pick in the N.B.A. draft, Andrew Wiggins has been making waves in the N.B.A.
In his junior and senior high school years in Canada, his 6’7 frame and athletic ability made him a top recruit for many Division 1 colleges. He chose to join the Kansas Jayhawks as his college team.
Four years into his N.B.A. career, Wiggins has shown just how exceptional his athletic ability is.
He can put his head four inches above the rim and has a vertical leap of 44 inches- both world records.
Thanks to his impressive physical feats, Wiggins has become one of the most popular players in the league.
Thus, his fans love to see him play and are always eager to see what new heights he will reach.
Though he is an athlete with a solid build, he missed entering the Slam Dunk Contest.
However, given his natural talent and athleticism, it’s only time before Wiggins makes an All-Star team.
So far in his young career, he is already considered one of the best players in the league and has demonstrated that he has the potential to be one of the greats.
Highest Vertical Jump in the World- LeBron James 44 Inches
The physical specimen man, James, is a must-name in the list of N.B.A. verticals. He’s 6’4″, 250 pounds, and can jump out of the gym.
His vertical has been measured at 44 inches! That’s four inches higher than Michael Jordan’s vertical.
James’ dunks are legendary. He routinely Posterizes opponents with thunderous jams.
However, his greatest attribute might be his leaping ability on defense.
He also uses his jumping ability to grab rebounds above the rim.
There have been many great leapers in N.B.A. history, but LeBron James may be the best ever.
His assortment of size, strength, speed, and skill is unmatched.
James is an elite shot-blocker who has achieved some of the most impressive feats in basketball history, including his incredible vertical jump.
As he seems to be flying south, many wonder why there was so hype about him during the summer.
Even with this being said, his athleticism and ability to dunk still remain unmatched by others in the league.
Highest Vertical Jump in NBA – Dee Brown 44 Inches
In 1991, he won the slam dunk competition as a rookie and became very popular.
He performed a no-look dunk over his elbow with his left hand covering his face.
Social media has credited him as the first person to do the “dab” publicly.
In the 1990 N.B.A. draft, he was the 19th pick in the first round and spent eight seasons with the Boston Celtics.
Even at 6’1″ tall, Dee Brown can put his head up to less than 3 inches below the rim.
Additionally, his vertical jump is 44 inches. That’s pretty impressive and definitely puts him high on the list for the highest standing in the N.B.A.
Also, he won slam dunk contests in 1993 and 1995. And he is best remembered for those wins and his spectacular dunks.
When it comes to the best vertical in the N.B.A., Dee Brown is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Highest Vertical Jump in the World- Harold Miner 44 Inches
Till his junior year, Harold Miner was playing for the University of Southern California. The Miami Heat then selected Miner with the 12th pick overall in 1991.
Many journalists gave him the nickname ‘Baby Jordan’ because of his skill set and showmanship.
Thus, this placed more pressure on Miner than he would have liked as he entered the league.
In the N.B.A., Miner only played four seasons total, including one season with the Cavaliers in 1995-1996.
During that season, he only made sporadic appearances during junk time. However, Harold Miner holds the highest vertical jump in the N.B.A. at 44 inches.
Although Harold Miner only had a short-lived career in the N.B.A., he will always be remembered for his incredible vertical jump.
Highest Vertical Jump in NBA – Anthony Spud Webb 36 Inches
Anthony joined slam dunk as a pro in 1986 and was an instant hit. However, his team’s top dunker, Dominique Wilkins, was not so keen on his dunking prowess.
In addition to his incredible 46-inch vertical, Webb also had 5’6″ of height, which is average to most people.
However, he used this intermediate frame and showered the crowd with various dunks that sent them into a frenzy.
This display of athleticism and skill ultimately led to him beating Wilkins. Webb’s impressive feat has yet to be matched or topped in the N.B.A.
He has been placed among the few players who don’t use their palms in dunking the ball.
In addition, what separates Webb from the rest is his ability to control his body in the air and land smoothly despite his height.
Webb is genuinely a one-of-a-kind player, and his record-breaking vertical is a testament to that, with 5 inches separating the head from the rim.
Highest Vertical Jump in the World – Zion Williamson 45 Inches
A rising star with a near-mythical view of his abilities, Zion Williamson has already gained national attention for his ability to score impressive slam dunks.
The young power forward has demonstrated a respectable 45-inch vertical jump, making him the fourth-youngest player selected to an All-Star game.
Not only is Williamson incredibly athletic, but he also has the potential to dunk from incredible heights.
Highest Vertical Jump in NBA – Derrick Jones Jr. 46 Inches
In 2020, Derrick Jones Jr. won the Slam Dunk Contest by showing off his incredible vertical leap.
His max vertical was recorded at 46 inches by the N.B.A., but he claims that his actual vertical is even higher at 48 inches.
Either way, Jones Jr. holds the record for the highest vertical in the N.B.A. and is sure to wow fans with his aerial abilities in the 2021-22 season.
Highest Vertical Jump in the World – Pat Connaughton 44 Inches
Pat Connaughton is an exception to the rule among a minimum list of white men who can jump.
Contrary to what Wesley Snipes said, those white men cannot jump as high because they have faster twitch muscle fibers; in most cases, black athletes are superior leapers.
With 44 inches vertical, he is measured as a 2015 and 5th-year player out of Notre Dame.
He contributed a lot for the bucks where he had a good partnership with Yanis. They both became very popular with casual fans because they were gym rats.
Conclusion| Who Has The Highest Vertical in N.B.A?
Many people believe that Michael Jordan holds this record, and although he is an incredible athlete with many accomplishments, he is not the only one who can make this claim.
Other athletes have jumped higher than him, including Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Beamon.
The current record holder for the highest vertical jump is Justin Bethel, who jumped 46 inches (116 cm) in 2012.
However, there are reports of other athletes who have jumped even higher than this, including Leandro Barbosa (48 inches/122 cm) and Jerry West (52 inches/132 cm).
It’s important to note that these jumps were not made during an official N.B.A. game or event, so the league may not recognize them.
So, who has the record for the highest vertical jump? It depends on who you ask – but many athletes could lay claim to this title.
Robert Lions joined as the Senior Basketball Editor Basketball Owl in June 2022, leveraging his 10+ years of basketball coaching experience. Known for his innovative coaching methods and player development strategies, he has become a trusted authority in the basketball world. His extensive expertise and proven track record underscore his commitment to the sport, making him a valuable asset to the team.
