The debate over whether Anthony Davis or Kevin Durant is taller has persisted for over a decade. Fans look at court footage, team photos, and official roster updates, yet confusion remains. When you strip away the jokes and roster politics, the numbers reveal a clear reality. Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis stand at virtually the exact same height, but how they reach that measurement differs.
To answer the core question immediately: Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant both measure around 6 feet 9.75 inches barefoot. However, public perception often leans toward Durant being taller because of his slender frame and stance on the perimeter, while Davis plays inside as a traditional big man. The confusion comes down to official NBA measurement mandates, player preference, and how their proportions play out on the floor.
The Official NBA Height Mandate of 2019
For years, NBA teams listed player heights with shoes on, leading to inflated numbers across the league. Players routinely gained an extra inch or two, turning traditional small forwards into power forwards and power forwards into centers. That changed prior to the 2019-2020 season when the league instituted a strict rule requiring all teams to measure players accurately without shoes.
This policy stripped away the vanity metrics. When teams submitted official barefoot measurements, the mystery surrounding many star players vanished. Anthony Davis registered at roughly 6 feet 9.75 inches barefoot. Kevin Durant famously resisted the change, maintaining for years that he was only 6 feet 9 inches so he wouldn't get forced into playing center. Yet, independent measurements and league tracking put Durant right in that same 6-foot-9.75 to 6-foot-10 range.
Why Kevin Durant Insists He Is Shorter
Kevin Durant has fueled the height debate himself through playful public comments. In interviews, he once famously remarked that when he talks to women he tells them he's 7 feet, but in basketball circles, he's a 6-foot-9 small forward.
Durant prefers the traditional label of a wing player. Admitting to a barefoot height of nearly 6 feet 11 inches would invite coaches to slot him permanently as a center. By keeping his listed height at 6 feet 9 inches, Durant protected his identity as a perimeter-oriented scorer. Even when standing next to players listed at 7 feet, Durant often looks just as tall, but his refusal to claim the 7-foot mantle keeps the debate alive among fans who trust their eyes over official listings.
Anthony Davis and the Center Dilemma
Anthony Davis entered the NBA as a slender rookie out of Kentucky, initially listed at 6 feet 10 inches. Like Durant, Davis spent the early portion of his career expressing a preference for playing power forward rather than absorbing the physical punishment of guarding heavy centers down low.
When the NBA mandated barefoot measurements, Davis came in just under the 6-foot-10 mark without shoes. On the court, his massive wingspan—measuring over 7 feet 5 inches—and broad shoulders create an optical illusion. He looks every bit of a traditional 7-footer when contesting shots in the paint, even though his actual standing height matches Durant's.
Direct Comparison: Frame, Wingspan, and Stance
Looking at raw numbers only tells half the story. Physical dimensions change how height translates to basketball utility.
- Standing Height: Both players measure within a fraction of an inch of each other at roughly 6-foot-9.75 barefoot.
- Wingspan: Anthony Davis holds a distinct advantage here, boasting a wingspan stretching past 7 feet 5 inches, compared to Durant's wingspan, which is estimated around 7 feet 4 inches.
- Build: Durant possesses a leaner, more linear frame, which accentuates his verticality and makes him look taller when running the floor. Davis has a heavier, more muscular build suited for banging against interior centers.
- Posture: Durant tends to play slightly hunched or fluidly extended on the perimeter, while Davis maintains an upright, explosive stance suited for vertical rim protection.
When they stand side-by-side on international or All-Star stages, neither player holds a noticeable height advantage over the other. Any visual discrepancy usually comes down to footwear thickness, camera angles, or posture.
Common Misconceptions in NBA Measurements
Fans often make several errors when trying to evaluate player heights. Understanding these mistakes clarifies why the Davis vs. Durant debate refuses to die.
- Confusing shoe height with barefoot height: A player listed at 6-foot-11 on a team roster is almost always 6-9 or 6-10 without shoes. Comparing an old shoe-on measurement to a new barefoot measurement creates false discrepancies.
- Equating wingspan with height: A long wingspan can make a player look several inches taller than they actually are, especially when contesting shots or standing next to guards.
- Ignoring positional bias: Players frequently downplay their height to avoid changing positions, while others exaggerate it to gain a psychological edge during draft evaluations. You can read more about how player tracking works on the NBA Official Website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant the same height?
Yes. Both players measure right around 6 feet 9.75 inches without shoes. Any perceived difference on television comes down to posture, hair volume, or footwear.
Why did Kevin Durant lie about his height?
Durant has stated that he prefers to identify as a 6-foot-9 small forward. Admitting to a barefoot height near 7 feet often results in coaches playing athletes exclusively as interior centers, which conflicts with Durant's perimeter-heavy skill set.
Who has a longer wingspan between Davis and Durant?
Anthony Davis has a slight advantage with a wingspan stretching approximately 7 feet 5.5 inches, while Kevin Durant's wingspan measures around 7 feet 4 inches.
What are their official barefoot measurements?
Under the NBA's standardized measurement protocol, Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant both verified heights just under the 6-foot-10 threshold barefoot, effectively making them statistical twins in terms of vertical stature.
