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Why Don’t WNBA Players Dunk?

Why Don’t WNBA Players Dunk?

The Women’s National Basketball Association is a professional basketball league that is a direct counterpart to the NBA.  Founded in 1996, the league is composed of twelve teams across the United States.  And within those teams, some of the best women basketball players compete for glory and a chance to reach the WNBA Finals.

And although the WNBA is less popular, statistically speaking, then the NBA, it is still a competitive and entertaining league to watch for any basketball fan.  However, one major difference between the NBA and the WNBA is the fact that there are much fewer dunks in the WNBA than in the NBA.

Below, we are going to discuss just why WNBA players don’t dunk and whether or not this decision is based on an inability to dunk or a conscious decision and strategy that WNBA players make during their games.  In addition, we are going to be forward-looking and will discuss what changes the WNBA may implement to encourage more dunking within the game.

Differences Between the WNBA and the NBA

Six WNBA teams are currently associated with NBA teams, known as sister teams, and are typically from the same market and utilize the same arenas as their NBA counterparts.  These teams include the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, the Indiana Pacers and Fever, the Los Angeles Lakers and Sparks, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, and the Washington Wizards and Mystics. 

However, while the WNBA was created and officially approved by the NBA Board of Governors on April 24, 1996, the rules, and regulations, between the two leagues does have some minor differences.  These differences were put in place due to the natural differences which exist between the individual players from both leagues.

Among these differences are the fact that WNBA players are ineligible to be drafted to the league until the age of 22.  In addition, the WNBA requires its players to complete their college eligibility, graduate from a four-year college or be four years removed from high school.  The NBA however, simply requires players to be at least 19 years of age and one season removed since they graduated from high school.

Why Don’t WNBA Players Dunk?

In addition, another major difference between the two leagues, is that the circumference of a WNBA ball is 28.5 inches, whereas a regulation sized NBA ball is 29.5 inches.  Similarly, the WNBA plays four 10-minute quarters, whereas the NBA is played in four 12-minute quarters.

Similarly, in the WNBA, the three-point line is 22-feet and 1.75-inches away from the center of the basket, whereas in the NBA the three-point line is 23-feet and 9-inches away.  Furthermore, from a monetary and revenue perspective, WNBA players are often paid far less than their male counterparts and the league revenue is a mere $60 million, as compared to the NBA’s $8 billion.

Furthermore, the WNBA consists of just 12 teams, with six in each conference.  This differs from the NBA’s 30 team roster, with 15 in each conference, split between 3 different divisions amongst the eastern and western conferences.  And whereas the regular NBA season consists of 82 games, the WNBA season is just 36 games.

From these 36 games in the WNBA, the top eight teams, regardless of conference, advance to the playoffs.  The top two seeds will receive double-byes to thee semifinal round, while the number 3 and 4 seeds earn byes into the second round.  WNBA teams seeded between 5 and 8 will compete in a one-game playoff to see which teams will advance to the second round.

While the first and second rounds of the WNBA playoffs are single-elimination games, the semifinal round and the WNBA Finals are a best-of-five series.

Is Dunking Allowed in the WNBA?

A common misconception is that the WNBA prohibits or discourages its players from dunking.  However, this is not true.  There are no rules in the WNBA which prohibits a player from dunking, or attempting to dunk, when near the rim. 

In fact, from a league-wide perspective, dunking would be encouraged.  This is because the dunk is one of the most popular forms of scoring amongst fans of the sport and is often seen as an event which can turn the tides of the game.

Similarly, as the WNBA attempts to attract further audiences, dunking is seen as an integral piece of that puzzle.  As NBA fans, we often watch highlights and replays, whether on Instagram, Twitter, or our televisions, to see the latest, gravity-defying dunks, a highlight reel that the WNBA is simply unable to provide on a consistent basis.

And lastly, there have been a number of WNBA players that have successfully dunked during an in-game situation.  Among others include Lisa Leslie, Michelle Snow, Canace Parker, and Sylvia Fowles.

Why Don’t WNBA Players Dunk?

So, Why Don’t More WNBA Players Dunk?

The simple and most obvious explanation as to why WNBA players don’t dunk is due to biology and physiology.  On average, a WNBA player stands in between 5’9” and 6’0”.  In comparison, the average NBA player stands in at just over 6’5”, with NBA centers often towering over 7’0”.

This difference in height is, perhaps, the best explanation as to why more WNBA players do not dunk in a real game situation.  Due to the nearly 7-inches in height differential, many WNBA players are simply unable to reach the 10-foot rim with enough vertical leap to dunk the ball.

Similarly, and in addition, strength plays a major role in the act of dunking.  For NBA players, their leg strength is often much greater than their female counterparts in the WNBA.  This additional strength allows for even shorter NBA players to increase their vertical and complete a dunk.

WNBA players, however, due not have the same leg strength as their NBA counterparts.  And due to this reduced leg strength, many of simply unable to achieve the vertical necessary to clear the rim and complete a dunk.

And lastly, the culture of the WNBA is not geared towards dunking.  Whereas the NBA is often seen as an attack the rim style of play, the WNBA is played more towards the perimeter, rewarding sharp shooters who can hit the three-pointer.  Due to this shoot-heavy philosophy, many WNBA players simply do not practice their dunking abilities.

List of WNBA Players Who Have Dunked In a Game

  • Lisa Leslie
  • Michelle Snow
  • Candace Parker
  • Sylvia Fowles
  • Brittney Griner
  • Jonquel Jones
  • Liz Cambage
Why Don’t WNBA Players Dunk?

What Can the WNBA do to Encourage More Dunking in the Game?

Although controversial, the single best way for the WNBA to encourage dunking in the league is to lower the rim.  While controversial, the solution does have some merit.  For starters, the circumference of a WNBA basketball is already one-inch smaller in size than a regulation sized NBA basketball.

By reducing the height of the rim, to 9-feet rather than 10-feet, more WNBA players would be able to dunk on the rim.  WNBA players are already the best female basketball players in the world and the reduction in rim height would benefit the league by allowing more players to reach the rim and complete a dunk.