Ever looked at Ben Simmons standing next to a "seven-footer" and wondered if someone’s tape measure was broken? You aren't alone. In the NBA, height is often treated more like a suggestion than a scientific fact.
For a long time, the question of how tall is Ben Simmons has been a moving target, shifting between 6'10" and 6'11" depending on which year you check the box score. Honestly, the NBA's relationship with the truth regarding height was pretty casual until a few years ago.
Before 2019, players basically told the league how tall they wanted to be. Some wanted to be taller to look more intimidating; others, like Kevin Durant, famously listed themselves shorter to avoid being labeled a "center."
The 2019 Great Shrinkage
The league finally got tired of the guesswork. In 2019, the NBA instituted a mandatory "no shoes" measurement rule. This was a disaster for some guys’ egos. Suddenly, players who had been 6'9" for a decade were "shrinking" to 6'7" overnight.
When the dust settled on the Philadelphia 76ers roster that year, the official answer to how tall is Ben Simmons became 6 feet, 10 inches (208 cm).
Prior to that crackdown, he was often listed at 6'10", but rumors flew that he’d had a late growth spurt. At one point, Brett Brown, his former coach, even joked to the media that Simmons had grown to nearly 7 feet. He hadn't. He's just exceptionally long.
Breaking down the frame
It's not just the height. It's the proportions. That's what actually makes him a nightmare to guard when he's healthy.
- Official Height: 6'10" (without shoes).
- Wingspan: Roughly 7'0".
- Weight: 240 lbs.
- Standing Reach: Approximately 8'11".
Think about those numbers for a second. You have a guy with the height of a traditional power forward but the speed of a point guard. Or at least, the speed he used to have before the back injuries started piling up.
Why everyone thought he was 7 feet tall
The confusion about his height usually stems from who he stands next to on the court. Basketball fans are used to seeing point guards who are 6'2" or 6'3". When Simmons brings the ball up the floor, he creates a visual mismatch that breaks your brain.
He is effectively the same height as Anthony Davis. He’s taller than many starting centers in the modern "small ball" era. When he played for the Brooklyn Nets and later the Los Angeles Clippers, he was frequently the tallest person in the rotation.
The "In Shoes" vs. "No Shoes" Debate
Most of us measure our height in sneakers. In a pair of Nike Zoom GT Hustles, Ben Simmons is easily 6'11.5". This is why the 2019 rule change was so important for bettors and scouts. It provided a baseline.
If you're looking at his draft profile from LSU in 2016, you might see 6'9". If you look at a mid-career All-Star graphic, you might see 6'11". But the 6'10" measurement is the one that stuck once the league started using actual lasers and medical-grade scales.
The impact of a 6-10 point guard
In his prime—those All-Star years in Philly—Simmons used every bit of that 6'10" frame. Most guards can't see over a defensive trap. Ben just looked over the top of everyone like he was standing on a step stool.
It allowed him to:
- Thread passes that smaller guards literally couldn't see.
- Switch onto anyone. He could guard a lightning-fast Kemba Walker then immediately bang in the post with a 7-foot center.
- Vacuum up rebounds. Being a 6'10" "guard" meant he was often the best rebounder on the floor not named Joel Embiid.
However, that height comes with a cost. Tall players, especially those who move with the explosive agility Simmons once had, put immense strain on their spine. His recent history with nerve impingement and back surgeries is a direct byproduct of a 6'10" frame being forced to move like a 6'3" frame.
Where he stands today
As of early 2026, Simmons is navigating the tail end of his career as a free agent, most recently having a stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. The athleticism isn't what it was during his 2018 Rookie of the Year campaign, but the 6'10" height remains his greatest asset.
Even if the "burst" is gone, you can't teach being 6'10". Teams still take flyers on him because a "point-forward" with that kind of length is a rare archetype in basketball history.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Always verify the year: If you see a height listing of 6'11", it’s likely an "in-shoes" measurement or an older pre-2019 stat.
- Context matters: When comparing Simmons to other players, remember that his "shrinking" in 2019 was a league-wide trend, not a personal one.
- Watch the posture: In recent seasons, Simmons has occasionally looked "smaller" on the court due to back issues affecting his gait and how he carries his frame.
The reality of how tall is Ben Simmons is a flat 6'10", but his impact on the court has always been measured by more than just inches. Whether he’s at the top of the key or the dunker spot, that height remains the defining characteristic of one of the most polarizing careers in NBA history.
To get the most accurate look at a player's physical profile, always cross-reference official NBA.com bio data with the 2019 re-measurement audits, as these remain the gold standard for "true" height in the modern era.