There has been considerable debate and uncertainty surrounding the height of Victor Webanyama, a promising rookie who recently joined the Spurs. Experts have not reached a consensus regarding his actual height, adding an element of intrigue to his basketball career. While he was initially listed as 7’2″ by France a year ago, rumours began to circulate about a significant growth spurt that allegedly propelled him to a towering height of 7’5″. However, there remains some controversy as to whether this measurement includes the height with or without shoes.
Comparing his potential height to other notable giants of the game, it is worth noting that according to ESPN, he ranks as the third tallest player ever selected in the NBA. The top spots are currently occupied by Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan at 7’7″, followed by Shawn Bradley, Tacko Fall, Slavko Vranes, and Yao Ming at 7’6″. With a reported height of 7’5″, Webanyama finds himself in remarkable company among the tallest players to have graced the league.
During his first news conference with the Spurs, the towering prospect was measured without shoes by the team. According to Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express News, he measured exactly in the middle of various projections, standing at an impressive 7’3.5″. Surprisingly, no one had even ventured to make decimal guesses before, as such precise measurements were uncommon outside of gambling circles.
Although rumours circulated that he had experienced significant growth over the past year, reaching a towering height of 7’5″, this claim has proved to be an exaggeration. It seems that if any measurements were taken at that height, they were likely recorded while he was wearing shoes, or there may have been an error in converting from the metric system. However, given that he is only 19 years old, further growth and development are still possible. Precise measurements will be taken during the upcoming training camp for the 2023-24 NBA season, and who knows? By then, he may reach a height of 7’4″. Undeniably, he is the tallest player ever chosen by the Spurs, showcasing their willingness to embrace exceptional physical attributes.