A basketball player’s leaping ability is among the most important skills they could have.
Hence, those who can’t jump very high tend not to last very long in the NBA, barring a few notable exceptions, while the better leapers have a higher chance of success.
As such, the NBA measures prospects’ leaping ability at the annual Draft Combine to get a sense of who are the best jumpers.
Below, the worst leapers ever at the NBA draft combine.
1. Mike Smith, 2000 and 2001
Max vertical leap: 21 inches
Standing vertical leap: 33 inches
2. Pavel Podkolzin, 2003
Max vertical leap: 22.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 19.5 inches
3. Dakari Johnson, 2015
Max vertical leap: 25 inches
Standing vertical leap: 22.5 inches
4. Jackie Butler, 2004
Max vertical leap: 25 inches
Standing vertical leap: 23 inches
5. Nikola Vucevic, 2011
Max vertical leap: 25 inches
Standing vertical leap: 23.5 inches
6. Uche Okafor, 2002
Max vertical leap: 25 inches
Standing vertical leap: 24.5 inches
7. Nick Sheppard, 2000 and 2001
Max vertical leap: 25.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 23.5 inches
8. Jiri Hubalek, 2008
Max vertical leap: 26 inches
Standing vertical leap: 20.5 inches
9. Jared Reiner, 2004
Max vertical leap: 26 inches
Standing vertical leap: 22 inches
10. Solomon Alabi, 2010
Max vertical leap: 26 inches
Standing vertical leap: 22.5 inches
11. Nate Williams, 2004
Max vertical leap: 26 inches
Standing vertical leap: 23.5 inches
11. Robert Jackson, 2003
Max vertical leap: 26 inches
Standing vertical leap: 23.5 inches
13. Sean Kennedy, 2002
Max vertical leap: 26.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 22.5 inches
14. Tom Timmermans, 2004
Max vertical leap: 26.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 23 inches
15. Luke Schenscher, 2005
Max vertical leap: 26.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 23.5 inches
16. Mario Boggan, 2007
Max vertical leap: 26.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 24 inches
16. Brian Butch, 2008
Max vertical leap: 26.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 24 inches
16. Peter John Ramos, 2004
Max vertical leap: 26.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 24 inches
19. Artsiom Parakhouski, 2010
Max vertical leap: 26.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 25.5 inches
20. Yemi Nicholson, 2006
Max vertical leap: 26.5 inches
Standing vertical leap: 26 inches
21. Vladimir Golubovic, 2008
Max vertical leap: 27 inches
Standing vertical leap: 21.5 inches
21. Jason Klotz, 2005
Max vertical leap: 27 inches
Standing vertical leap: 21.5 inches
23. Curtis Borchardt, 2002
Max vertical leap: 27 inches
Standing vertical leap: 24 inches
24. Taylor Coppenrath, 2005
Max vertical leap: 27 inches
Standing vertical leap: 24.5 inches
25. Keith Brumbaugh, 2008
Max vertical leap: 27 inches
Standing vertical leap: 26 inches
