Michael Jordan is a living legend of the basketball world. In the 80s and 90s, everyone wanted a vertical jump like Mike. If you take a look at Jordan’s footage from his mid-20s to early 30s, you’ll understand that a 48-inch vertical jump isn’t all that hard to believe.
Michael Jordan is actually flying, not jumping. In this article, Scott Fujita will look at the record, technique, and symbols surrounding Michael Jordan vertical jump. In addition, we also introduce you to other typical dunkers of the NBA league.
Michael Jordan’s Vertical Jump Height: Highest vertical jump NBA
Michael Jordan highest vertical jump NBA.
There’s only been one player nicknamed “His Airness in NBA history,” and that’s Michael Jordan. He currently owns the NBA highest vertical jump of the entire tournament, which is 48 inches. This number comes with a hang time on the rim of 0.92 seconds
With his height of 6 feet 6 inches, we can calculate that Michael Jordan can achieve a vertical jump height of 42 inches. It is in a situation where he has a vertical jump height of 10 feet to the rim.
However, if you take a look at the video of Michael Jordan’s top 10 vertical jump highlights, you can see that his head is already a few inches above the rim. So we can say Michael Jordan had a vertical leap over 44 inches. This number is even more significant than that.
We couldn’t find any records of Michael Jordan’s measurements. However, when we go back to the record of his vertical jump at the University of North Carolina years. You can also understand a few things.
Michael Jordan jumped to a maximum height of 45.5 inches. In the standard Sargent test, 42 inches was his vertical jump record.
After a training period, Michael Jordan has perfected his vertical jumping ability to achieve formidable achievements like now
1988 Slam Dunk Contest
Mike has the ability to jump high.
Michael Jordan’s vertical jump is one of the reasons why he has become such a dominant existence in the NBA.
His vertical leap is a combination of innate athletic ability and a strong display of determination. This interesting combination has made Michael Jordan always dominate slam dunk contests in his heyday.
Jumpman’s most iconic vertical jump was the free-throw line in the All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest in 1988. Thanks to this legendary jump, Michael Jordan received a perfect score of 50 from the judges.
That historic vertical jump captured all eyes from the audience in the room that day. The footage has also inspired many young generations later until the end of his entire career.
No one can deny Michael Jordan’s enthusiasm and fighting spirit. That spirit is so high that people often use the phrase “competes like his hair is on fire” for him.
Perhaps it is thanks to that enthusiasm and natural athleticism that he has the most impressive achievements in NBA history.
Iconic Jumpman Logo
We can say that the Jumpman logo is the most impressive image for Michael Jordan’s life and career. More than that, it is also a symbol of his leaping ability.
In 1988, Nike’s Tinker Hatfield designed the original Jumpman logo for a signature shoe. The images inspire this pose Jordan did for Life magazine and it has become legendary.
However, it’s not a specific vertical jump. Michael Jordan in this icon is performing a traditional ballet jump called the grand jeté.
Incredible Michael Jordan’s vertical leap.
Michael Jordan Vertical Jump Training Workouts
So we all know that Mike is very good at doing vertical jumps. We know you’re looking for the secret to learning how to dunk like Mike.
However, his practice will surprise you to hear. It’s not too sublime and nothing special either.
In an interview in the 90s, Mike said that most of his training revolved around cycling and constantly practicing dancing.
Plus, his work ethic is also really great. He spent a lot of time researching his opponents and his own practice footage. Michael Jordan can spend hours practicing for his game. He will spend time practicing 1-1 with a coach or working with his assistant.
Of course, Michael Jordan achieved such success in part because of his endowed genetics. Just like LeBron James, his leg muscles contain the perfect blend of explosive muscle fibers. Plus, Mike’s tendon and leg length is the perfect example of a vertical jump.
However, any success requires perseverance and the right practice orientation. Michael Jordan encourages everyone to take a high jump course to learn how to acrobatic proficiently.
Who Has The Highest Vertical Jump NBA In League History Along With Michael Jordan?
Except for Michael Jordan, there are still many basketball players possessing impressive vertical jumps. Let’s review the top 5 highest verticals in NBA history below.
1. Darrell Griffith – 48 inches
Darrell Griffith.
Darrell Griffith is not a household name to NBA fans. However, his vertical jump is respectable.
In 2018, Donovan Mitchell paid tribute to Griffith in the Slam Dunk contest. He wore Darrell Griffith’s uniform while working on his second song. Thanks to this, the community was buzzing and curious as to which player #35 really is.
Griffith achieved his fascination with Dr. Dunkenstein during his time in Louisville. Moreover, he enjoyed a successful NBA career with the Jazz.
At 6 feet 4 inches and 48-inch vertical jumps, Griffith can lift his head 4 inches above the rim. This 48-inch figure is also the highest vertical jump NBA of all time – the same record as Michael Jordan.
Although Darrell Griffith has never won any dunk contest like some famous names on the list, he is still an outstanding athlete. During 11 years working for the Jazz, the franchise has upgraded his jersey in which he has played his entire career.
2. Jason Richardson – 46.5 inches
Jason Richardson.
The Golden State Warriors picked Jason Richardson with the 5th overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft combine. However, his vertical jump stats at the time were surprisingly low, at just 39.5 inches, even though he was pretty decent.
However, two years later, he went on to win consecutive Slam Dunk Challenges at the All-Star Weekends. After re-measurement, his highest jump in NBA made an impressive leap up to 46.5 inches.
At 6 feet 6 inches, it brought his head 4.5 inches above the rim. Richardson’s most famous dunk is a 360-degree reverse flip between his legs. Thanks to this highest NBA vertical dunk, he won the title in 2003 at the Dunk Contest. Although he retired in 2015, Richardson is still very much loved by Warriors fans.
3. Anthony Webb – 46 inches
Anthony Webb.
Despite his rather diminutive appearance, Anthony Webb has proven to be a formidable dunker. At the Slam Dunk Contest of 1986, he took the NBA world by storm when he decided to join as a rookie.
Not even his teammate Dominique Wilkins could have expected Webb to put on such a brilliant performance.
Despite being only 5 feet 7 inches tall, Anthony Webb is capable of achieving a 46 inches tall vertical jump. He then performed a series of dunks that rattled the crowd for 10 seconds and won the contest.
Webb is one of the few NBA players who can dunk without being able to keep the ball in their hands.
4. James White – 46 inches
James White.
James White doesn’t appear much in the NBA leagues. In fact, he often plays abroad. However, we think he’s still eligible to be on this list.
The Portland Trail Blazers picked him with the 31st overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft.
Then the San Antonio Spurs took his chance. James appeared in six games before joining the Austin Toros. This team is their D-league affiliate company.
James White’s longest run in the NBA was in the 2012-13 season, where he appeared 57 times with the New York Knicks. James White took a 46-inch vertical jump and was able to lift his head 5 inches above the rim at 6 feet 7 inches.
5. Zach LaVine – 46 inches
Zach LaVine.
The Minnesota Timberwolves picked Zach LaVine 6th overall in the 2014 NBA draft.
At first, Zach LaVine vertical jump achievement was not too high. It’s only about 41.5 inches. However, after that, he had some growth and his vertical jump was 46 inches.
At 6 feet 5 inches, LaVine can rise 2 inches above the rim. He showed his formidable dancing ability and won the dunk contest two years in 2015 and 2016.
In 2016, LaVine did some tricks when jumping from the free-throw line against worthy opponent Aaron Gordon. At that time, they were having a draw.
LaVine’s outstanding athletic ability shined when he was a mainstay for the Chicago Bulls brand. He is having the best season of his career and continues to be the only light in a dull season for the team.
Final Thoughts
Does Michael Jordan own the highest vertical in NBA history?
In the heyday of Michael Jordan, he easily achieved a vertical jump height of over 44 inches. All of his records are a combination of practice and natural fitness. Because you are a normal person, you need to be mentally prepared to train hard and smart.
Take Michael Jordan and other NBA players as an example. Practice with consistency and intensity, we believe you will achieve your goals.