The NBA is home to some of the freakiest athletes that I have witnessed, from wingspans to heights and even hands.
Let’s face it, having extremely large hands in the NBA has advantages, especially in basketball. Have you ever wondered who has the biggest hands in the NBA?
If so, you are not alone! Like most of you, I was very intrigued by some of these one-of-a-kind traits that these athletes possess. If you want to know who has the largest hands in NBA history, chime in below to learn more!
The Biggest Hands In NBA History
There are a lot of NBA players whose hands are enormous. However, I will only list down 10 of the biggest hands in NBA history. Check it out!
1. Boban Marjanović
- Height – 7’3″
- Hand Span – 10.75 inches
- Hand Length – 12 inches
If we’re talking about some gigantic hands the National Basketball Association has ever seen, Boban Marjanović might have the biggest hand size the league has ever seen.
He has a hand length of more than 3 inches, the size of an average person, and has humongous hands. In addition, Boban is also the tallest player in the league.
While he hasn’t made the NBA All-Star roster due to his immense hand size and height, he will still be one of the tallest NBA players ever to grace the court.
Nevertheless, Boban’s humongous hands and larger-than-life persona led to the birth of a hilarious Reddit thread called “Boban Holding Things.”
2. Shaquille O’Neal
- Height – 7’1″
- Hand Span – 10.25 inches
- Hand Length -12 inches
Shaquille O’Neal is regarded as one of the most dominant NBA players the league has ever seen, and it is no secret why he is also ranked second in the NBA in terms of hand size.
His physicality and giant hands gave him a massive advantage over any NBA player he has encountered in the league.
The only problem with Shaq’s hands is they are too big; he is having trouble making a free throw!
This led to a strategy for opposing teams to foul players who were poor at shooting free throws, and the term “Hack-a-Shaq” was born.
Unsurprisingly, even the best superstars have the biggest hands in the NBA, and Shaq is one of them. He has multiple scoring titles, four-time NBA champion, and has a legendary career to top it off.
Now, he has enjoyed his time outside of playing basketball by being a basketball analyst and an actor. He is also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Height – 6’11”
- Hand Span – 9.85 inches
- Hand Length – 12 inches
Nicknamed the “Greek Freak,” Giannis Antetokounmpo, who currently plays as a power forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, also happens to be amongst the players with the biggest hand size the league has ever seen.
He is also one of the most dominant players in the NBA, winning the Defensive Player and was the consecutive reigning NBA MVP for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
His ability to grab rebounds at impressive rates and his ball-handling skills, like one of the best point guards, made him a nightmare on opposing teams.
His unique skill set, along with his monster physical tools, allow him to play the point guard role effectively while also being able to guard all different positions on the floor.
4. Greg Smith
- Height – 6’10”
- Hand Span – 9.8 inches
- Hand Length – 12 inches
While some of you might not be familiar with Greg Smith, his huge hands secured him the fourth spot on our list.
He might not be remembered as a great basketball player, but his sheer hand size should give him plenty of recognition moving forward.
Greg Smith played most notably for the Houston Rockets during his short tenure with the organization.
5. Connie Hawkins
- Height – 6’8″
- Hand Span – 10.5 inches
- Hand Length -11 inches
His hand’s span alone speaks volumes when you consider that he is listed only as 6-foot-8 inches. Connie Hawkins enjoyed a long career playing for different organizations.
However, he spent some glory days playing for the American Basketball Association. He was later inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
The NBA organization will always remember his storied career and extraordinary length. While Connie Hawkins isn’t known to many, he is most notable for being a legend in the New York City Playground.
6. Noah Vonleh
- Height – 6’10”
- Hand Span – 9.75 inches
- Hand Length – 11.75 inches
Another player you might not have heard of, but Noah Vonleh ranks as one of the players having the biggest hands in the NBA.
While he was relatively unknown amongst NBA fans, he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and enjoyed a career playing for the Portland Trail Blazers for 3 years as a power forward.
Noah Vonleh doesn’t boast the accolades of some superstars in this list, but his 9.75 inches of hand length and 11.75 inches of hand span rank some of the highest in the sport’s history.
His amazing hand size gave him better ball control, corral rebounds, and block shots. He currently plays for the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association.
7. Julius Erving
- Height – 6’7″
- Hand Span – 9.5 inches
- Hand Length – 11.75 inches
Julius Erving was an NBA Hall of Famer known for his aerial acrobats and amazing highlights.
His 9.5 inches hand span and 11.75 inches length allowed him to take the ball to the rack and go for emphatic dunks and layups.
Like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, Julius Erving, nicknamed “Dr. J,” is among the most influential basketball players ever to play in the league.
Aside from being known as a human highlight film for his dunking ability, he’s had a legendary career playing mostly for the Philadelphia 76ers, being a four-time NBA MVP, and having three scoring titles.
8. Michael Jordan
- Height – 6’6″
- Hand Span -9.75 inches
- Hand Length – 11.375 inches
Even though Michael Jordan is considered the greatest player of all time, the accolades didn’t stop there.
Michael Jordan’s hands are also one of the biggest hands in the NBA, and his beautiful ball fake is still beautiful.
His height was six feet and six inches; his hands were more than the average person. His NBA career was full of highlights and dunks, and his fiery persona led him to be hailed as the greatest player of all time.
He won the national championship playing for North Carolina Tar Heels and capped it off with his legendary career racking up 6 NBA championships.
With 6 finals MVPs and 10 scoring titles to his name, Michael Jordan is one of one. He is most notable for playing for the Chicago Bulls franchise while playing for the legendary coach, Phil Jackson.
Michael Jordan hand size is 9.75 inches, and while he is considered the greatest player the league has ever seen, he also has one of the biggest hands in the history of the NBA.
9. Kawhi Leonard
- Height – 6’7″
- Hand Span – 9.75 inches
- Hand Length – 11.25 inches
Kawhi Leonard’s hand size and wingspan wreak havoc on both ends of the floor. He can block shots and get steals while still being effective on the offensive side of the court.
He was named Defensive Player of the Year twice for his defensive prowess. He has also won championships while playing for the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors franchise.
Kawhi Leonard hand size is more than the average hand length, and he has become one of the most dominant players in the league due to his enormous hands and lengthy wingspan.
He currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers and is looking yet again to add another hardware to his impressive resume.
When everything is said and done, Kawhi Leonard will become one of the best two-way players in NBA history. Kawhi Leonard’s hand size is something to marvel at.
10. Wilt Chamberlain
- Height -7’1″
- Hand Span – 9.5 inches
- Hand Length – 11.5 inches
Wilt Chamberlain might be most notable for scoring 100 points in a single game, but he also happens to have one of the biggest hands in the history of the NBA!
His hand span is measured at 9.5 inches, and his hand length of 11.5 inches, making him on the upper echelon regarding sheer hand size.
Nicknamed “The Big Dipper,” Wilt Chamberlain dominated the NBA like no other NBA player ever did.
Wilt Chamberlain boasted many impressive accolades, such as winning the NBA championship twice and being named NBA MVP four times.
Wilt Chamberlain’s hand size and 9.5 inches hand span allowed him to grip the ball effectively while still blocking and scoring shots at a higher clip.
His huge mitts will be one of the factors why he was able to dominate the league for many years.
How Is Hand Size Officially Measured?
While other measurements can be used for measuring hand sizes, like hand width and circumference, the NBA uses hand span and hand length as their primary measurements.
Hand length is often measured at the base point of a player’s hand while stretching until the tip of the middle finger.
On the other hand, the hand span is measured horizontally through the tip of the pinky finger up until the tip of the thumb.
Back in the day, hand measurements weren’t the norm in the league until the NBA decided to use these measurements during the 2010 draft combine.
Hand Length
Hand length is often measured at the base point of the palm and extends through the uppermost part of the middle finger. Any basketball player or adult man’s average length is around 7.5 inches.
However, the NBA is home to some of the most bizarre athletes we’ve come to know, and that average will only get higher if we include basketball players in the NBA.
Hand Span
The hand span is measured horizontally between the tip of the pinky finger and the thumb. Some people also use hand spread when relating to hand span.
In addition, the average hand span for most NBA players doesn’t exceed the 12-inch mark, which is still remarkable considering the average hand span for normal people is only about 8.5 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You might find some answers below if you have additional questions regarding NBA players’ hand size.
Who Has the Biggest Hands in the NBA Draft Combine?
As I have mentioned, hand size was only measured during the start of the 2010 NBA draft combine. So, during this inauguration up until today, Greg Smith still holds the biggest hands in NBA history.
During the 2010 NBA draft, his hand length clocked in at 9.8 inches while his hand span extended up to 12 inches! He was most notable for playing power forward for the Houston Rockets.
Who Has the Biggest Hands in the NBA Currently in 2023?
Of current players playing actively in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo has the biggest hand size.
With a height of 6’11, a whopping 12-inch hand span, and a 9.85-inch hand length, he has the biggest hand size in the league!
How Big Are LeBron’s Hands?
Considered by many as the greatest NBA player ever to live, LeBron James‘s hand size clocks in at 9.25 inches long. If you compare his hand size to the NBA average, his measurements are a tad bit short for somebody that is 6’9.
How Big Are MJ’s Hands?
MJ’s hands are big, and when we say big, it’s really big! His hand length measures 9.75 inches, while his span is 11.375 inches.
If you compare the size of his hands to his fellow NBA Hall of Famer counterpart Kobe Bryant, he has bigger hands despite having the same height.
Who Has the Largest Hand Size Ever?
If we’re talking NBA players, the largest hand size goes to Boban Marjanović. His measurements clock in at 10.75 and 12 inches, respectively.
Conclusion
Let’s face it, having a significant hand size has its competitive edge. Many players in NBA history have taken advantage of this physical gift, some of which were listed above.
Players listed on top are definitely in a class of their own regarding their God-given physical tools. While some were the greatest players ever to play the game, some were just an anomaly that wasn’t fully utilized.
Still, this article of mine should give you ideas about who has the biggest hands in the long history of the NBA.
Feature Image credit: Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
