Best NBA Players Who Are 6’1″
The NBA is, perhaps, most famously known for its players and their above-averaged size and length. With many NBA players towering over the general populace, NBA players are generally not lacking in height.
And while some NBA players, particularly those who play the center position, are as tall as 7-feet, most NBA players, generally, stand in at over 6-feet.
But just who are the best NBA players who are 6’1″?
Below, we are going to review the absolute best NBA players who are 6-foot 1-inches and how these players utilize their above-average height to dominate their positions on the court.
Looking to see the best NBA players by height? Check out our following reviews:
Trae Young
Trae Young is one of the most explosive players in the NBA right now. Playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Young was born in Lubbock, Texas and played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners. While in the NCAA, he became the only player to lead the league in both points and assists in a single season.
Nicknamed ‘Ice Trae’, he was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA draft with the fifth pick overall. Later traded to the Atlanta Hawks, Young would go on to be a 2x NBA All-Star and an NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Standing in at 6’1″, Trae Young also has sponsorship deals with both Adidas and State Farm.
John Stockton
Born on March 26, 1962, John Stockton is widely regarded as one of the best point guards and passers to ever play in the NBA. Having spent his entire career with the Utah Jazz, he, alongside longtime teammate Karl Malone, led the Jazz to the playoffs in each of his 19 seasons.
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 for his individual career and again in 2010 for his role in the 1992 United States Olympic basketball team, he was a ten-time NBA All-Star and holds the NBA records for both most career assists and steals.
In addition, Stockton was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. And in October 2021, Stockton was again honored as one of the league’s greatest players of all-time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Mitchell was born on September 7, 1996 and currently plays for the Utah Jazz. Having played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals, he was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 13th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
Named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, Mitchell would go on to win the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest despite his relatively shorter stature. In addition, he has been named as an NBA All-Star three-times.
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III was born on April 30, 1961. He was a former NBA player and coach and is an analyst for NBA TV. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, he was also named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History as well as the 75 Greatest Players.
Thomas spent his entire NBA career with the Detroit Pistons and was drafted by the team second overall in the 1981 NBA draft. Having played college basketball for the Indiana Hoosiers, he led the team to the 1981 NCAA championship.
Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet was born on February 25, 1994 and currently plays for the Toronto Raptors. One of the best 6’1″ players to play in the league, he also has one of the most interesting stories regarding his rise to the NBA.
Having played college basketball for Wichita State University, he helped the team’s resurgence and Final Four run in the 2012-12 season and helped the team post an undefeated regular season in the 2013-14 season.
As a junior, he was named an All-Missouri Valley Conference first team selection and received All-American honorable mention recognition from the Associated Press. VanVleet is also the Wichita State career assists leader and was named Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year as both a sophomore and a senior.
However, after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft, he signed with the Toronto Raptors and spent his time with their G League affiliate, the Raptors 905. And in the 2016-17 G League season helped the team win a championship.
He would then subsequently play for the Raptors and was instrumental in their success and championship run in 2019. VanVleet also owns the single game points record not only for the Raptors but also for any undrafted NBA player, when he scored 54 against Orlando in 2021.
He was named to his first NBA All-Star Game in 2022 and looks to have a promising career ahead of him.
Darius Garland
Darius Garland was born on January 26, 2000 and currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Born in Gary, Indiana, he is the son of former basketball player Winston Garland and joined his high school basketball team in his eight grade.
As a high school player he was a four-time state champion and three-time Tennessee Mr. Basketball winner. He was a five-star recruit and was ranked among the best point guards in the 2018 class and was also a McDonald’s All-American.
Initially, Darius Garland committed to Vanderbilt but after just five games, his college career was cut short by a meniscus injury, prompting him to leave the team to prepare for the NBA draft.
Selected fifth by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2019 NBA draft, he would make history as the first player born in the 2000’s to play in an NBA game. And in 2022, Garland would be named to his first NBA All-Star Game.