Does Playing Basketball Make You Taller Naturally

Playing basketball does not make you taller. People who play or are very good at basketball may tend to be taller because it helps to be closer to the ten-foot-tall net for purposes of shooting and blocking. Though proper nutrition may influence height, the primary factors determining height are genetic. History is filled with exceptionally skilled players of average height or shorter. The shortest players in NBA history include:

Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (5'3")

Earl Boykins (5'5")

Anthony "Spud" Webb (5'7")

Wataru "Kilo Wat" Misaka (5'7")

Nate Robinson (5'9")

Calvin Murphy (5'9")

Michael Adams (5'10")

Avery "Little General" Johnson (5'10")

Damon "Mighty Mouse" Stoudamire (5'10")

Terrell Brandon (5'11")

Many of those "normal" height players have been able to slam dunk and perform admirably opposite much taller players. The determining factors of basketball and other sport skills include hard work, natural ability and quickness, practice, and attitude. Physical stature may be helpful, but not paramount.