The 10 Largest Hand Sizes in NBA History
The 10 Largest Hand Sizes in NBA History. Basketball has long emphasized player size. Shaquille O’Neal, Karim Abdul Jabbar, and others have been dominant both in skill and size.
Large hands help NBA players catch and shoot the ball. Big-handed athletes have an advantage in numerous sports, not just basketball.
Rajon Rondo and Michael Jordan have huge hands. Here are the 10 biggest hand in the NBA.
1. Borban Marjanovic: 10.75 inches
Boban Marjanovic possesses the NBA’s biggest hands. Boban’s ability to shoot from wherever on the court and shy attitude make him a fan favorite. Marjanovic’s 7-4 wingspan helped him put up excellent rebounding stats.
Boban Marjanovic grew up tall in eastern Serbia. Marjanovic was 6 feet tall at 14.
Barban’s height led him to join the Serbian squad Hemofarm.
He played briefly before joining CSKA Moscow. Boban Marjanovic’s average-height parents suggest he has gigantism.
2. Shaquille O’Neal: 10.25 inches
Shaq has enormous feet and hands. Shaquille Oneal’s large hands helped him grip and handle the ball.
His ability to control the ball and his massive size made him a formidable opponent. While O’Neal wasn’t known for his shooting range, most teams would love to have him.
Shaq’s huge hands and wingspan are larger than practically every NBA player today.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 9.85 inches
Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the NBA’s most dominant big men, has a terrific talent. Giannis’ remarkable wingspan makes him a dominant defensive and offensive power forward in the NBA.
Giannis has become one of the NBA’s finest shot-blockers and rebounders. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s wingspan and large hands help him control the ball.
The Greek Freak has been a hard-working, imposing player for years. His seven-foot wingspan helps him protect the rim and dominate smaller opponents.
4. Elgin Baylor: 9.75 Inches
Elgin Baylor’s 9.5-inch hands made him a formidable rebounder and ballhandler. Elgin Baylor played briefly for the Harlem Globetrotters after college.
Baylor entered the 1950 NBA draught. Minneapolis (now LA) Lakers picked him third overall. Elgin Baylor rebounded well in the NBA. Being 6’5 with one of the NBA’s biggest hands helped.
Elgin Baylor scored 71 against the Knicks in 1960. Elgin Baylor is one of the most dominant NBA players. Elgin Baylor’s NBA career was honored by the NBA’s 50th and 75th anniversaries.
Elgin became a Lakers owner before dying of heart disease.
5. Connie Hawkins: 10.5 Inches
Connie Hawkins played with the Harlem Globetrotters before joining the NBA. Hawkins was forbidden from playing in college due to legal issues.
Connie stole money from a YMCA locker room he and others were using. His huge hands and court skills earned him the moniker ‘The Hand’
Hawkins and five companions were given 5-15 years. Connie escaped to Chicago and received a scholarship to play for Iowa. Connie Hawkins Jr. became Daniel Rivers to avoid attention.
6. Noah Vonleh: 9.75 inches
Noah Vonleh, who played for the Charlotte Hornets, had among of the NBA’s biggest hands. Noah Vonleh’s large hands are the result of Macro-dystrophia Lipomastosa.
Noah Vonleh is 6’8 but has hands like 7’4 Yao Ming. Vonleh played one season with Charlotte before joining Portland in 2015.
Vonleh averaged 3.8 ppg and 4.7 RPG with the Blazers. Vonleh spent one season with the Bulls after being traded to Portland. Vonleh was dealt to the Timberwolves after one season by the Knicks.
Noah Vonleh joined the Shanghai Sharks after a brief NBA career.
7. Julius Erving: 9.5 Inches
Julius “Dr. J” Erving was a dominant Philadelphia 76ers player. Dr. J won four MVP honors, three championships, and three scoring titles, making him one of the most significant basketball players ever.
Dr. J soared with the 76ers. Erving had a great hanging time.
Erving was smooth and nimble on the court. His large hands helped him control the basketball in the air better than other players.
At UMass, Erving averaged 24 ppg, 20 RPG, and 5 APG. Erving briefly played for the Virginia Squires in the ABA. Erving entered the 1972 NBA draught.
Dr. J led the league in scoring and rebounds because of his height and big hands.
8. Michael Jordan: 9.75 Inches
Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest NBA player ever, had one of the NBA’s biggest hands. Michael Jordan has a similar hand-to-body ratio to Rajon Rondo.
Jordan’s hand length is typical of males 7 feet 1 or taller. Jordan’s hands are 12 percent longer than typical persons his height.
Jordan’s average height and large hands made him a dominant player. Because he could palm the ball easily, Jordan could do various air tricks.
Jordan could easily steal balls and rebound with one hand. Phil Jackson said MJ’s hands separated him from Kobe.
9. Rajon Rondo – 9.5 inches
Rajon Rondo has one of the NBA’s largest hands despite his size. Rajon Rondo’s hand spread and length are 10 and 9.5 inches. Rajon Rondo’s hands aren’t proportional to his body size.
Rajon Rondo’s large hands help him control and pass the ball. His basketball skills are unmatched. Before a series of injuries, Rajon Rondo was one of the best point guards in the NBA.
Rajon Rondo guided Kentucky to a national championship before joining the NBA. Rajon Rondo’s enormous hands have helped him win several championships.
10. Wilt Chamberlain- 9.5 inches
Wilt Chamberlain is one of basketball’s best players. Wilt Chamberlain holds NBA records for durability, scoring, and rebounding.
Wilt Chamberlain won 7 scorings and 9 rebounding titles in the NBA. He was a 13-time all-star and 7-time All-NBA.
Wilt Chamberlain’s height and large hands gave him a competitive edge.
Wilt Chamberlain’s dominance helped rewrite NBA rules. The NBA enlarged the lane, introduced goal tending, and changed free throw regulations.
With his height, he can dunk on anyone. Wilt Chamberlain, the NBA’s most dominant big man, with 72 All-Star honors.
Many players struggled against Chamberlain’s gigantic frame when trying to rebound him.