Is it true that the biggest hands in the NBA belong to Kawhi Leonard? Or does is it belong to someone else? Let us know more about it down below
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has always been an athletic powerhouse. And in the near future, the scenario will not likely change in any way. Along with insane athletic abilities, we are used to witnessing basketball players with incredible physical features. These physical features are generally something that is not common in any way.
We have seen basketball players with big feet, high vertical leaps, long wingspan, etc. All these features make these athletes unique on their own. A much-discussed physical feature of basketball players are their hand size.
It is quite amazing how the ball players grip a size 7 basketball with ease. A normal human being will face many difficulties when trying to do the same.
How is the hand size measured in the NBA?
NBA is pretty well known for its advanced measuring system. Keeping that in mind, when it comes down to the measurement of hand size in the NBA, the only two measurements that are critically considered are length and span.
So, for scaling the hand, measure the length from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger straight upwards. This measurement is done by extending horizontally and taking the distance from the pinky to the thumb.
Does Kawhi Leonard have the biggest hands in the NBA?
At this point, everybody knows who Kawhi Leonard is. A two-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, five-time NBA All-Star, and one-time NBA All-Star Game MVP, Leonard’s resume is quite long. In short, Leonard is a certified NBA superstar.
There’s a classic story about Kawhi’s life before he played professional basketball. Before joining the NBA, Kawhi along with basketball also used to play football. He was a freshman wide receiver at Canyon Springs High School.
Kawhi’s hands were so large that any regular fitting gloves didn’t suit him. Moreover, many stores also didn’t keep his size. Naturally, Kawhi’s gloves were custom-made. Leonard’s mother even said that Kawhi’s hands were oversized ever since he was born!
But, unfortunately, Kawhi doesn’t have the biggest hands in the NBA. Kawhi no doubt has big hands but he doesn’t have the title of biggest hands in the NBA. According to statistics, Kawhi Leonard’s hand size is 9.75”/11.25” (Length/Span).
If Kawhi doesn’t have the largest hands, then who holds the title of the biggest hands in the NBA? Let us find out below.
Top 5 players with the biggest hands in the NBA
5. Connie Hawkins
Hand size: 10.5/11 inches
Connie Hawkins is one of the earliest legends of basketball. He was a New York City playground legend, fondly nicknamed “the Hawk”.
Hawkins, from 1961 to 1976, played in the ABA, where he achieved enormous success before the league was merged with the NBA. It is said that Hawkins was one of the first players in the NBA to exhibit the kind of athleticism, theatrics, and style that Julius Erving and Michael Jordan would later become famous for.
For his valuable contribution to the game of basketball, Connie “the Hawk” Hawkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
4. Gregory Smith
Hand size: 9.8/12 inches
31-year-old Greg Smith is a professional basketball player from America who had a short stint in the NBA. During his tenure in the NBA, Smith played for Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Smith has also played overseas like in Europe and is still playing in overseas.
Smith might not be a famous player as per NBA standards but he sure is a unique record holder. Greg has pretty large hands, measuring 9.8/12 inches to be exact.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Hand size: 9.85/12 inches
Hailing from Greece, Giannis Antetokounmpo was quick to establish himself and capture the hearts of NBA fans. Giannis plays for the Milwaukee Bucks and is already an NBA champion, NBA Finals MVP, two-times NBA MVP, six-time NBA All-Star, and NBA All-Star Game MVP.
Antetokounmpo’s NBA success is majorly credited to his physicality. Giannis’s athleticism in relation to his physicality has earned him the nickname of “Greek Freak”.
During the 2013 NBA Draft Combine, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s hands were officially measured. The size of his hands stood out to be a massive 9.85/12 inches. It can be easily said that most of Antetokounmpo’s ball-handling talent comes from his hand size.
2. Shaquille O’Neal
Hand size: 10.25/12 inches
One of the most popular players of all time, Shaquille O’Neal has achieved legendary status in his life and basketball career. Nicknamed ‘Big Diesel’, Shaquille is one of the most dominant center of all time.
Shaq is a four-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, one-time NBA MVP, fifteen-time NBA All-Star, and three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. Apart from this, the list of Shaq’s achievements in life is quite large. Shaq is already a LA Lakers legend and currently, he is a basketball analyst.
Big Diesel is built huge. He’s 7 feet 1 inches and weighs 325 lbs. No doubt, he used to mow down his opponents.
Given his body structure, it is pretty obvious that Shaq’s hand size will be huge. It is said that Shaq’s hand’s size are 10.25/12 inches in length and span.
1. Boban Marjanovic
Hand size: 10.75/12 inches
Boban Marjanovic comes from Serbia and is one of the sweetest guys in the NBA. Standing tall at 7 feet 3 inches, Boban plays in the position of Center. Before playing in the NBA, Boban played for quite some time in Europe.
In the NBA, Boban has played for the SA Spurs, Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks. Currently, Boban plays for the Houston Rockets.
It is needless to say that given his build, Boban has the largest hands in the NBA. It is said that, compared to the average guy, Boban’s hands are three inches longer than the average male. Boban’s hands are a gigantic 10.75/12 inches in length and span.
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