The Best 6’3″ NBA Players of ALL TIME

Some of the best players in NBA history have been 6’3″ tall (approximately 1.91m).

While 6’3 is relatively short by NBA standards, the players on this list made up for their lack of height with tremendous skill, IQ, and effort.

The list includes some former MVPs (regular season or Finals); scoring leaders, assists leaders; All-Defensive Team players; and plenty of NBA champions.

In order by seasons played, the eight best 6 foot 3 inch NBA players of ALL TIME are:

• Steve Nash
• Chauncey Billups
• Derrick Rose*
• Jerry West
• Joe Dumars
• Earl Monroe
• Dave Bing
• Jo Jo White

(* indicates currently active player)

Read on for a detailed description of each player, list of other notable 6’3 players, and more. Let’s get started!

Steve Nash, PG

Steve Nash is one of the greatest point guards of all time, and the best Canadian basketball player ever (so far, anyways).

He is one of the greatest passers/playmakers in the history of the game, as well as one of the most accurate shooters of all time.

Nash, along with Magic Johnson and Steph Curry, are the only point guards in NBA history to win multiple (and back-to-back) MVP awards.

Nash is best remembered for his time with the Phoenix Suns (2004-2012), where he led the fast-paced offense (i.e. “7 seconds or less“) to multiple deep playoff runs. They were one of the funnest teams to watch. Their success also helped inspire the current era of NBA basketball which focuses on high-speed offense and 3-point shooting.

In total, Nash played 18 seasons in the NBA (1996-2015) for three different teams (Phoenix, Dallas, LA Lakers).

A list of his NBA achievements include: 2x MVP; 7x All-NBA Team (3x First, 2x Second, 2x Third); 8x All-Star; 5x Assists leader; 4x member of 50-40-90 club; and member of NBA’s 75th Anniversary team.

Nash is the only 4x member of the 50-40-90 club, and one of three players ever to be in it more than once ( Larry Bird and Kevin Durant each did it twice). He also has the 2nd highest free throw percentage in NBA history (behind only Steph Curry).

🏆 Never too late: Nash never won an NBA championship as a player, but finally got one as an assistant coach / consultant for the Golden State Warriors in 2017.

Chauncey Billups, PG

Chauncey Billups, a.k.a “Mr. Big Shot“, was one of the top point guards of the 2000s.

He was known for his ultra clutch shooting, and being a great team leader that could control the game.

Billups played a total of 17 NBA seasons (1997-2014) for six teams (Boston, Toronto, Denver, Detroit, New York, LA Clippers).

He is best remembered for his time with the Detroit Pistons, where he helped lead the team to a championship, and was Finals MVP (2004).

A list of Billups NBA achievements include: NBA champ; Finals MVP; 3x All-NBA Team (1x Second, 2x Third); 2x All-Defensive Second Team; 5x All-Star; and winner of the Sportsmanship Award.

Billups averaged double digit scoring in 13 of his 17 seasons, and is a career 89% free throw shooter (6th highest all-time).

🤝 Teammates love him: In 2012-2013, Billups was the winner of the first ever “Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award”.

Derrick Rose, PG

Derrick Rose, a.k.a. “D-Rose“, is one of the most electrifying point guards of all-time, and one of the greatest “what-if” stories in NBA history. He is also the only active player on this list.

In his prime, D-Rose was possibly the most athletic point guard ever. He was known for his cat-like quickness, explosive jumping ability, and creative finishes around the rim that made him nearly impossible to guard.

Derrick Rose is currently in his 15th NBA seasons (2008-present), and sixth team (Chicago, New York, Cleveland, Minnesota, Detroit, Memphis).

He is best remembered for his time on the Chicago Bulls, where he was the youngest MVP ever in 2011 (22 years old), and led the team to the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, it was also with Chicago where he suffered multiple knee injuries which would derail his promising career.

Rose’s current list of NBA achievements include: MVP; 1x All-NBA First Team; 3x All-Star; Rookie of the Year; All-Rookie First Team.

Despite his devastating injuries, D-Rose has still managed to have successful NBA career with averages of 17.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game.

He will forever remain one of the greatest “what-if” players in NBA history (along with the likes of Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, etc.)

💪Dunkin’ D-Rose: If you want to see the athleticism of prime Derrick Rose, just get on YouTube. His poster dunk on Goran Dragic is one of my of all-time favorites.

Jerry West, PG/SG

Jerry West, a.k.a. “the Logo“, a.k.a. “Mr. Clutch“, is universally recognized as one of the greatest NBA players of all time.

West could do it all. He was a tremendous all-around player (shooting, passing, rebounding, defense, etc.), but was particularly recognized for his elite scoring ability. His career average of 27 points per game ranks fourth all-time (among retired players). He is only behind other legendary players Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor.

West played 14 NBA seasons (1960–1974), all for the LA Lakers.

A list of his NBA achievements include: NBA champion; Finals MVP; 12x All-NBA Team (10x First, 2x Second); 5x All-Defensive Team (4x First, 1x Second); 14x All-Star; All-Star Game MVP; Scoring champion; Assists leader; and member of NBA anniversary teams (35th, 50th, 75th).

West has incredible career averages of 27 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 2.6 steals per game (steals were only recorded in his last season). The NBA logo is also famously modelled after Jerry West.

👨‍💼Super Exec: West only won one championship as a player, but has won eight championships as an executive (with the LA Lakers, and Golden State Warriors). He is a 2x Executive of the Year.

Joe Dumars, SG

Joe Dumars is one of the best defensive guards of all-time.

He was also a solid all-around player that could score, handle the ball, pass, and do all the little things to help the team win.

Dumars played a total of 14 NBA seasons, all for the Detroit Pistons. He is best remembered for teaming up with Isaiah Thomas to form one of the best backcourts in the NBA during late 80s and early 90s.

A list of Dumars’ NBA achievements includes: 2x NBA champion; Finals MVP; 3x All-NBA (1x Second, 2x Third); 5x All-Defensive Team (4x First, 1x Second); 6x All-Star; and All-Rookie First Team.

He also averaged double-digit scoring for 13 straight seasons, and finished with career averages of 16.1 points and 4.5 assists per game.

After retiring, Dumars became an executive for the Detroit Pistons (President of Basketball Operations), winning another championship in 2004.

Earl Monroe, SG

Earl Monroe, a.k.a. “Earl the Pearl“, was one of the greatest players of the late 60’s and 70’s.

He was known for his natural scoring ability, smooth playing style, and creative offensive moves. He was one of the first players to master the dribble “spin move”, and bring a streetball style to the NBA.

Monroe played a total of 13 NBA seasons (1967-1980) for two NBA teams — Baltimore Bullets (now the Washington Wizards), and New York.

He had success on both teams, but is probably better remembered for his time in New York, where he teamed up with Walt “Clyde” Frazier to form one of the most formidable backcourts in NBA history (i.e. the “Rolls Royce” backcourt).

Some of Monroe’s NBA achievements include: NBA champ; All-NBA First Team; 4x All-Star; Rookie of the Year; All-Rookie First Team; and member of NBA anniversary teams (50th, 75th).

Surprisingly, Monroe did not achieve more individual awards despite putting up great numbers. He has career averages of 18.8 points, and 3.9 assists per game. He averaged over 20 points per game for 7 seasons, and double digit scoring in 13 straight seasons.

🤯 Crazy numbers: Monroe averaged a ridiculous 41.5 points per game his senior year in college. This is also when he earned his nickname “the Pearl”.

Jo Jo White, PG/SG

Jo Jo White was a top guard of the 1970s, and one of the many legendary players in Boston Celtics’ history.

White was known for his exceptional outside shooting ability, and as a great all-around player that could score, pass, and defend with the best of them. He was also known for his durability — playing all 82 games in a season for five straight seasons (1972-1977).

In total, White played a total of 12 NBA seasons (1969-1981) for three different teams — Boston, Golden State, and Kansas City (now the Sacramento Kings).

A list of White’s NBA achievements include: 2x NBA Champ; Finals MVP; 7x All-Star; 2x All-NBA Second Team; and All-Rookie First Team.

White averaged double-digit scoring for 10 straight seasons, and finished with career averages of 17.2 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game.

🍀Celtic Ironman: Jo Jo White still holds the Boston Celtics record for most consecutive games played (488).

Best Current 6’3″ NBA Players

There are currently 38 players in the NBA that are listed at 6’3″ tall. The best current players are:

• De’Aaron Fox
• CJ McCollum
• Donovan Mitchell

👉 Click here for a complete list of all 6’3 players currently in the NBA

Some Other Notable 6’3″ NBA Players

Besides the all-time greats and current stars listed above, there have been a TON of other notable 6’3″ players in NBA history.

The list below includes some hall-of-famers, All-Stars, All-NBA, All-Defensive, NBA champions, and more. Some of these players could arguably be on the all-time list above (e.g. Rod Strickland, John Wall, Frank Ramsay).

In order by seasons played, some other notable former/current 6’4″ players include:

• Rod Strickland
• Terry Porter
• Andre Miller
• Steve Kerr (current head coach of Golden State Warriors)
• Sam Cassell
• Goran Dragić
• J.J. Redick
• Eric Gordon*
• John Starks
• Jeff Hornacek
• Sleepy Floyd
• Baron Davis
• John Wall
• Monta Ellis
• Jeff Teague
• Ben Gordon
• Kenny “The Jet” Smith
• Victor Oladipo*
• Frank Ramsey
• Steve Francis
• Jeremy Lin
• D’Angelo Russell*

(* still playing in the NBA)

Don’t agree with my choices? Did I miss any of your favorite 6’3 players?

Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Other All-Time Players by Height

Check out these lists of other all-time great NBA players by height (i.e. 6’9, 6’10, etc.)

Summary

Who is your favorite 6’3″ NBA player of all time? Favorite current 6’3 player?

Did I miss any notable players on this list?

Let me know in the comments below!