players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size

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falcolombardi
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players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size 

Post#1 » by falcolombardi » Sun Apr 3, 2022 6:31 pm

so after Learning from a doctor mj post that russel had a longer reach than ralph sampson (!!!) i got curious who are the players over history with the most ridiculous proportions

both, guys who had disproportionately long reach for their size and guys who struggled because their limbs were not actually as Long as their height suggested (aka guys with really long necks and torso)

not as common but guys with disproportionately long/short legs or abaursly big/small hands too
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Re: players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size 

Post#2 » by BenoUdrihFTL » Sun Apr 3, 2022 7:14 pm

Kevin "T-Rex" Willis

Listed at 7' and google says he had a 6'10" wingspan but it seemed shorter when he played. Could be why he played PF instead of C and never exceeded 0.7 BPG for a season

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Re: players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size 

Post#3 » by penbeast0 » Sun Apr 3, 2022 7:28 pm

Another legend of that era was Sidney "the Squid" Moncrief who was listed at 6'3 but played more like 6'7 defensively. Part of that was a 36" leap, part from his core strength, but part was just long arms. Bill Russell is another one. And Manute Bol just looks unnatural, all arms and legs.

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Re: players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size 

Post#4 » by jasonxxx102 » Sun Apr 3, 2022 7:51 pm

Tyler Herro is 6’6 with a 6’3 wingspan. Redick is similarly proportioned.

white people generally have shorter proportions due to the limb/trunk differences between cold/warm climates

Reference here:
http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/amp/812/3/covariation-in-limb-limb-and-limb-trunk-proportions-in-whites-and-blacks-and-males-in-females-using-the-hamann-todd-collection-cleveland-museum-of-natural-history
76ciology wrote:Wouldn't Edey have a better chance of winning the scoring battle against Tatum in the post after a switch than Tatum shooting over Edey's 9'6" standing reach?
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Re: players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size 

Post#5 » by Ursusamericanus » Sun Apr 3, 2022 7:54 pm

Ewing had small hands for his size, yet long arms.

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Re: players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size 

Post#6 » by rate_ » Sun Apr 3, 2022 8:13 pm

THT 6’2 barefoot, 7’1 wingspan
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Re: players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size 

Post#7 » by dygaction » Sun Apr 3, 2022 8:16 pm

Kwame Brown has famous hands
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Re: players with the longest/shortest arms/hands relative to size 

Post#8 » by Doctor MJ » Sun Apr 3, 2022 8:31 pm

falcolombardi wrote:so after Learning from a doctor mj post that russel had a longer reach than ralph sampson (!!!) i got curious who are the players over history with the most ridiculous proportions

both, guys who had disproportionately long reach for their size and guys who struggled because their limbs were not actually as Long as their height suggested (aka guys with really long necks and torso)

not as common but guys with disproportionately long/short legs or abaursly big/small hands too


Cool thread!

Figured I'd bring up Goose Tatum - the man who I think got all this started:

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Goose was reported to be 6 feet 3 inches with a 7 foot wingspan. Not extreme by modern standards, but in the pre-Mikan era, this was certainly extreme.

And for a contemporary example standing out that people might realize:

The best women's player in the world right now is Breanna Stewart. She's 6 foot 4, but has a 7 foot 1 wingspan. Here's an image that I think really showcases this:

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Look at how much higher the other player's (A'ja Wilson) head is, yet it's Stewart who is getting the ball.
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