You’ve probably seen the highlights of Stephen Curry dancing around seven-footers like they’re traffic cones. It’s the classic David vs. Goliath narrative that has defined his career since he was a scrawny kid at Davidson. But if you look at a team photo or check a box score, the numbers start to get a little fuzzy.
Is he 6'3"? Or is he 6'2"? Maybe even smaller?
In the NBA, height has always been a bit like a Tinder profile—everyone adds an inch or two for "marketing" purposes. For years, Steph was the poster child for the 6'3" point guard. Then, the league decided to get serious about the truth.
The Great 2019 Height Audit
Back in 2019, the NBA office basically became a high school nurse's office. They mandated that every team submit official, third-party verified heights for their players—measured without shoes. No more "6'11" in sneakers" for guys who were barely 6'9".
Before this, the Golden State Warriors had Curry listed at 6'3". When the tape measure came out for the official audit, the truth was a little more down to earth. Stephen Curry officially measured in at 6 feet, 2.25 inches. The league rounded that down to 6'2" for the official record books.
It doesn’t sound like a huge deal, but in a sport where inches dictate draft stock and defensive matchups, losing an inch overnight was a major talking point. Honestly, it kind of made his dominance more impressive. He wasn't just "small" for a superstar; he was officially shorter than the average NBA point guard, who usually hovers around 6'2.5" to 6'3".
Why the Numbers Shifted
You might wonder why players like Curry were "taller" for the first decade of their careers. It wasn't just ego. It was the sneaker factor.
Basketball shoes aren't exactly thin-soled loafers. Between the foam, the air units, and the orthotics many players use to save their ankles, a pair of Under Armours can easily add 1.25 to 1.5 inches to your stature. If Steph stepped on a scale in his game gear, he really was 6'3.5".
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- Pre-2019 Listing: 6'3" (With shoes)
- Post-2019 Official: 6'2" (Barefoot)
- Draft Combine (2009): 6'2" in socks / 6'3.25" in shoes
Interestingly, Curry’s height hasn't changed since he was 21. His 2009 Draft Combine measurements were almost identical to the 2019 audit. He didn't shrink; the NBA just stopped letting everyone "wear their heels" to work.
Does Height Even Matter for the Greatest Shooter?
Height is usually a prerequisite for NBA greatness, but Curry’s "lack" of it is exactly what changed the game. Because he isn't 6'6" like Kobe or 6'9" like LeBron, he had to master the mechanics of the three-point shot to survive.
Think about it. If Steph were 6'7", he might have developed a mid-range post game. He might have relied on shooting over people. Instead, being 6'2" forced him to develop the quickest release in the history of the sport.
His release time is roughly 0.4 seconds. By the time a taller defender reacts to the dribble, the ball is already at the apex of its arc.
The Wingspan Secret
While we obsess over height, the more important number for Steph might be his wingspan. He’s got a 6'4" wingspan, which is slightly longer than his height. This "positive" wingspan is what allows him to poke balls away on defense and finish those high-off-the-glass layups that seem to defy physics.
He’s also not a "small" guy in terms of strength. He weighs in at 185 pounds of mostly lean muscle. You don't play 16 seasons in the NBA at 37 years old—which he is now in 2026—without having a frame that can take a beating from the giants in the paint.
The "Short" Superstar Comparison
To put Curry's 6'2" frame into perspective, let’s look at how he stacks up against other legendary guards.
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Kyrie Irving is also officially listed at 6'2". Damian Lillard? He’s actually 6'1" and some change without shoes. On the flip side, someone like Luka Dončić towers over the "small" guard category at 6'7".
When you see Steph standing next to Klay Thompson (6'6") or Draymond Green (6'6"), the gap is noticeable, but not staggering. It’s only when he’s switched onto a center like Anthony Davis (6'10") that he looks like a regular person who wandered onto the court.
How to Apply the "Steph Curry" Perspective
If you’re a basketball player or an athlete worried about your height, the "Steph Curry height mystery" offers a few real takeaways:
- Stop obsessing over the "With Shoes" number. Everyone in the gym knows if you're fluffing your stats. Focus on your standing reach and your wingspan instead.
- Master the release. If you’re under 6'3", your best friend isn't a vertical jump—it's a fast shot. Work on your "dip" and your "snap" to get the ball off before the defender closes the gap.
- Core strength is the equalizer. Curry is famously one of the strongest players on the Warriors in terms of deadlifting and core stability. That’s how he holds his ground when a 250-pound forward tries to bully him.
You can find official height and weight data for any active player on the NBA’s official stats page, which is kept much cleaner now than it was in the early 2000s.
Check your own height barefoot vs. in your favorite playing shoes. You’ll likely find a 1 to 1.5-inch difference. Instead of worrying about that missing inch, spend that time on the shooting rack. History shows that 6'2" is plenty tall enough to break the game of basketball forever.
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To get a better sense of how Steph uses his frame, watch his footwork during his warm-up routines rather than just his shots. The way he creates space with his "short" strides is the real secret to his longevity.