You’ve probably heard the stories. The 105-point game. The back-to-back NCAA titles. The legendary trash-talking sessions with her brother, NBA icon Reggie Miller. But when it comes to the physical presence of the woman many still consider the greatest to ever pick up a basketball, there is one question that always pops up first: How tall is Cheryl Miller?
It’s a fair question because, on the court, she looked like a giant. Not just because of her height, but because of how she moved. She was fluid. She was aggressive. Honestly, she played with a verticality that made her seem six inches taller than whoever was trying (and failing) to guard her.
Setting the Record Straight on Cheryl Miller’s Height
Let's get the numbers out of the way. Cheryl Miller is 6 feet 2 inches tall. In metric terms, that’s about 1.88 meters. If you look at different sources, you might occasionally see her listed at 6'3", but the consensus from her playing days at USC and her time with Team USA firmly lands on 6'2".
Now, 6'2" is tall by any standard, but in the 1980s, it was a game-changing height for a small forward. Most players that tall were parked under the rim, told to rebound, and strictly forbidden from handling the ball. Cheryl? She blew that mold apart. She had the height of a center and the skills of a point guard.
Height vs. Reach: Why She Played Bigger
Height is just a number on a roster. What actually mattered was how Cheryl used it. She wasn't a "stiff" player. She had long arms and a lean, athletic frame—listed at about 180 pounds during her peak. This combination allowed her to:
- Dominate the glass: She grabbed 1,534 career rebounds at USC. That’s not just height; that’s timing and wingspan.
- Shoot over anyone: Because she played the perimeter and the high post, she was constantly guarded by smaller wings. She’d just rise up and shoot.
- Defensive versatility: She could block shots (320 in college) while still being quick enough to lead the break.
The Miller Household: A Tall Family Dynamic
You can't talk about Cheryl's height without mentioning the rest of the Miller clan. The family was essentially a basketball factory in Riverside, California.
Her brother, Reggie Miller, eventually grew to be 6'7". But here’s the kicker: for a long time, Cheryl was the bigger, stronger, and much better player. There’s a famous story—Reggie tells it all the time—where he came home after scoring 40 points in a high school game, feeling like the king of the world. He walked into the kitchen and found out Cheryl had scored 105 points that same night.
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Talk about a reality check.
Growing up, Cheryl didn't take it easy on him. She used her height and her "grown man" strength to beat him in the backyard until he was forced to develop that famous high-arcing rainbow shot just to get the ball over her outstretched arms. In a weird way, we have Cheryl's 6'2" frame to thank for Reggie's Hall of Fame career. He had to learn to survive against her.
Why Her Height Mattered in the 80s
To understand why people still ask how tall is Cheryl Miller, you have to look at the context of women’s basketball in the early 80s.
Before the WNBA existed, the college game was the pinnacle. When Cheryl arrived at USC in 1982, the sport was still finding its footing in the mainstream. Then comes this 6'2" powerhouse who can dunk (she was the first woman to dunk in organized play in 1982) and talk trash with the best of them.
She was a freak of nature for that era.
If you look at the 1984 Olympic roster where she led the US to Gold, she was one of the tallest players on the floor who wasn't a traditional "center." Her ability to play "positionless" basketball was decades ahead of its time.
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Comparing Heights Across Eras
How does her 6'2" frame stack up against today’s stars?
- Caitlin Clark: 6'0"
- A'ja Wilson: 6'4"
- Cheryl Miller: 6'2"
- Diana Taurasi: 6'0"
As you can see, Cheryl would still be a "big" wing in the modern WNBA. She’d basically be a slightly shorter, more aggressive version of A'ja Wilson or a more physical version of Breanna Stewart.
Life After the Height of Her Career
It’s one of the great "what ifs" in sports history. What if Cheryl Miller hadn't blown out her knee at age 24?
She never got to play in the WNBA because it didn't exist until 1997, long after her injuries forced her to retire. When she finally did join the league, it was as a coach and GM for the Phoenix Mercury.
Even on the sidelines as a broadcaster or coach, her presence is still massive. She carries herself with a certain "6'2" energy" that demands respect. Whether she's patrolling the sidelines or reporting from the NBA Western Conference Finals, she’s still the same Cheryl.
Beyond the Measurement
So, sure, she’s 6'2". But Cheryl Miller’s "height" is better measured by her impact.
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She wasn't just a tall basketball player. She was a cultural shift. She made it okay for women to be dominant, loud, and physically imposing on the court. She paved the way for every 6-foot-plus girl in a small town to realize they didn't have to just stand in the paint and wait for a pass.
What You Can Learn from Cheryl's Game
If you're a player looking to emulate her, don't just focus on the 6'2" part. Focus on the versatility.
- Work on your handle: Being tall is a gift, but being tall with a crossover is a cheat code.
- Conditioning is key: Cheryl was a blur in transition.
- Master the mid-range: She didn't need the three-point line (which didn't exist for most of her career anyway) to dominate.
Honestly, the next time someone asks you how tall she is, tell them the truth: she was exactly as tall as she needed to be to change the game forever.
If you want to see her impact in person, go watch some old USC highlights. Even with the grainy 80s film, you can see it. The way she grabs a rebound and goes coast-to-coast? That’s not just height. That’s greatness.
Your next step: Head over to YouTube and look up the 1984 NCAA Championship game between USC and Tennessee. Watch how Cheryl (6'2") handles the pressure of the Lady Vols' defense. It’s a masterclass in using size and IQ to break a game wide open. You’ll see exactly why she’s the GOAT.