Could a woman under 5'10" dunk a basketball?

monikker
monikker Posts: 322 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I know it's an odd question, but I'm curious.

Without a doubt, tall women can dunk. Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Brittney Griner etc...but I believe they're all over 6 ft or right on it.

On the men's side, guys as small/short as 5'3" (Muggsy Bogues!) have been able to dunk. Plenty of other 5'5" and 5'7" dudes have come along and dunked.

With all this in mind, my question is: could a woman around 5'8" with a fantastic fitness regimen and hard work with a program specific to increasing vertical leaping ability, ever be able to dunk?

And if anyone knows of such a training program, please link me.

Replies

  • monikker
    monikker Posts: 322 Member
    Also, this is assuming the goal is at its regular height, which is...10 feet?
  • nowweseeyou
    nowweseeyou Posts: 1,235 Member
    Hmmm...do you have a trampoline?
  • SemperAnticus1643
    SemperAnticus1643 Posts: 703 Member
    edited March 2015
    I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say yes. I did not have a regimen that was for basketball but I did do a program that did increase my vertical. I'm 5'7" and was able to grab the rim. So give me another 3 inches in height and another 4-6 inches on my vertical and I could probably have dunked a girls ball.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    most likely not. most 5'10" guys can't dunk on a standard rim, and when you say that "plenty of 5'7" and under guys have" what you mean to say is that .00001% of the male population at that height has been able to dunk a basketball. most men can't generate enough power for the leap so it's going to be a SUPAH special snowflake of a woman that can do it.

    but SUPAH special snowflakes exist. just unlikely that they exist, AND play basketball, AND have the coordination required to dunk, AND AND AND.
  • monikker
    monikker Posts: 322 Member
    Yeah you're right, I wasn't thinking when I said plenty. I guess I just meant there are enough examples to be optimistic.

    I did find this video of a teen at 5'7" - yes he is male though. It took him 6 months. He tracked his progress and shared it. http://youtu.be/hGvyEg4_v30
  • monikker
    monikker Posts: 322 Member
    I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say yes. I did not have a regimen that was for basketball but I did do a program that did increase my vertical. I'm 5'7" and was able to grab the rim. So give me another 3 inches in height and another 4-6 inches on my vertical and I could probably have dunked a girls ball.

    Any idea what program or type of program you were doing?
  • SemperAnticus1643
    SemperAnticus1643 Posts: 703 Member
    edited March 2015
    monikker wrote: »
    Any idea what program or type of program you were doing?

    That was 15 years ago but I'm sure there are plenty of programs available. You could probably google "how to increase my vertical" and find a few things. I did a lot of jump rope, high jumps, squats and lateral jumps. I had actually used the program to build speed on a softball field. But I was also playing basketball in the off season and could see the difference.

  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say yes. I did not have a regimen that was for basketball but I did do a program that did increase my vertical. I'm 5'7" and was able to grab the rim. So give me another 3 inches in height and another 4-6 inches on my vertical and I could probably have dunked a girls ball.

    if you're already trained and at the upper reaches of your vertical leap, adding another 4-6 inches to that is a LOT
  • monikker
    monikker Posts: 322 Member
    If you could grab the rim, why would need that many more inches to dunk?
  • DangerJim71
    DangerJim71 Posts: 361 Member
    I've seen a 5'10" guy dunk but he was 17 and an extraordinary athlete in perfect physical condition. Best girls player I've seen is person is 6'1" and can nowhere near dunk.

    I'd say not likely but probably not impossible.
  • _riddikulus_
    _riddikulus_ Posts: 59 Member
    nate robinson is 5'9" and he won the dunk competition a few years ago:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjDmyW4RJ64

  • _Terrapin_
    _Terrapin_ Posts: 4,301 Member
    monikker wrote: »
    If you could grab the rim, why would need that many more inches to dunk?

    Grabbing the rim versus dunking a basketball you need about 7 more inches. You only to get stuck at the rim once to know it needs more then 3-4 inches. Karch Kiraly (volleyball Olympian '84 or '88 first Olympics) had a routine where he did 24 inch box jumps with 50 pound dumbbells. He was a very unique human. Today with enhancement drugs(steroids) many Olympians have verticals greater then 40 inches. Is it possible at 5'10" odds are against it.
  • amy_kee
    amy_kee Posts: 694 Member
    I don't know about you, but, I've seen it done. I played basketball in hs and college and yes, it is possible...but it depends on the person.
  • monikker
    monikker Posts: 322 Member
    If that 5'7" guy I posted can do it after working on it for 6 months, I bet more people around that height can. It just might take a super long time.
  • wellthenwhat
    wellthenwhat Posts: 526 Member
    I don't know, but if that's what I wanted to do, I would do my best to get there. I might never get there, but I'd be proud of the work I'd put in, because I'd have given it all I had.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    monikker wrote: »
    If you could grab the rim, why would need that many more inches to dunk?

    there's a basketball that's 12 inches or so (i only remember it by it's 30 inch diameter) that has to clear the rim, and the tip of your finger is going to need to be near the top of ball. so we're not talking about touching the rim or even grabbing the rim, but getting a full hand length or more above the rim.

    and there's still the coordination to consider.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    monikker wrote: »
    If that 5'7" guy I posted can do it after working on it for 6 months, I bet more people around that height can. It just might take a super long time.

    that kid had incredible hops to begin with. if he actually couldn't touch the rim in week one it was because of poor technique in transferring his power, not a lack of power. add in some dedicated training, and sure, he can get there just like any short NBA player that we've seen dunk.

    but, and this is a BIG BUT, we're talking an upper echelon athletic teenage male. ability to adapt to training is at its peak as well as a crapload of natural hormones flowing thru his body just begging for something to do. i'm in no way trying to downplay the athletic potential of female athletes but they are going to be at a 1000% disadvantage to a kid like this.

    i am....well, i used to be, an amazing leaper. i can still out vertical everyone at my gym (we have the board).....except for one person. a 26 year old pro female volleyball player. she's AMAZING. but she can't dunk either. hell, her playing partner is 6'5" and also an incredible athlete, but she can't dunk either.


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  • cliffodom1
    cliffodom1 Posts: 57 Member
    monikker wrote: »
    If you could grab the rim, why would need that many more inches to dunk?

    In order to dunk a basketball you have to be able to palm the ball and then jump to you wrist on the goal. Grabbing the rim only gets you to your fingers.

This discussion has been closed.