What’s the Average Vertical Jump for a D1 Basketball Player? How Does Yours Measure Up?

For student athletes who aim to compete at the highest level of college basketball, knowing how high your vertical jump is, is an important piece of information and can help you in the recruiting processes. Making sure that your score is above the average for college prospects at your position is a must if you want to get picked up on scholarship. The consensus is that the average vertical leap for an NCAA basketball player is between 27-30 inches. If you are looking to increase your chances of being recruited then you probable should focus on on increasing your vertical. In this article we will take a look at the methods you can use to determine your vertical leap and what the stats are for D1 basketball players so you can get an idea of where you need to be.

WHAT IS YOUR VERTICAL?

Your vertical is how high you can jump from a standing position, up. Your vertical leaping ability increases as you get older. As a teen you are continually developing and peak somewhere between 20 to 30 years, depending on other factors like how well you have managed your training, recovery, injury prevention and nutrition.

REMEMBER: You need to first establish a baseline so you can see how much you have improved when you start a jump training program, if you are looking to improve your vertical leap.

HOW DO YOU TEST YOUR VERTICAL?

The vertical jump test has been used for a long time now. It is used to measure the lower body power of athletes, this is why it is especially good for basketball players. Knowing this is a good indication of how athletic a player is because it translates directly into the sporting/basketball athleticism. Their are two variations for testing your vertical jump 1) standing vertical leap (from a standstill position, no steps allowed) and 2) max vertical leap (where you take steps going into your jump). Lets take a more detailed look into methods you can use to test your vertical jump.

Vertical Jump Test 1: Jump No Equipment

You don’t need any special equipment to measure your vertical jump if you don’t have access. Here is the best method you can use to establish your vertical jump without using any special equipment (zero cost). Things you will need to have ready – some double sided tape or chalk and measuring tape.

STEP 1: Find a tall indoor or outdoor wall to use

STEP 2: -Take some double sided tape and put it on the tip of you middle finger or, take some chalk and put a generous amount on the tip of your finger.

STEP 3: Establish the height of your reach. Do this by reaching as high as you can, keeping your arm tight to your ear and reaching your hand up the wall. Touch the wall and allow the tape to stick to the wall – where the tape or chalk is on the wall, this is your established reach. Make a note of this measurement.

STEP 4: The Standing Approach – stick the tape tape or put some chalk on your middle finger so that you can mark the wall with the height of each jump. Do this a few times. Once you have your best jump, use the measuring tape to measure the difference between your standing reach and your best jump. This is your standing vertical jump measurement. Make a note of this number.

STEP 5: The Full Approach (aka Max Vertical Leap) – stick the tape or put some chalk on your middle finger for each jump. Take as many steps back from the wall as you need to reach your maximum height. Take as many attempts as you deem necessary. The aim is to find your maximum vertical leap. Once you have had your best jump stop. Measure the different between your established reach and your maximum vertical leap. This is your mass vertical jump. Make a note of this number.

Vertical Jump Test 2: Vertec Vertical Jump Tester

If you are lucky enough to have access to a Vertec through either your high school, team or trainer then you should take advantage of this and use it. It is a great piece of testing equipment to use because it is very accurate and very easy to use. For most athletes, this method will produce the highest vertical leap. But remember, the speed of you approach will only help you jump higher to a certain point and you must be able to control the speed generated otherwise it could potentially have a negative effect on your maximum vertical leap.

Method 1 – The Standing Approach

STEP 1: First you need to establish and measure your reach by walking through the Vertec. Reach your arm as high as you can. Make sure you keep your arm tight to your ear as you walk through. Do this three times to get the most accurate reading. Make a note of the height you reached.

STEP 2: Standing in position, you need to jump off of two feet. See which bar you can reach and record this every time. You can do this as many times as you feel necessary. You cannot take any steps with this method.

STEP 3: To work out your vertical leap – subtract your reach height (the number you took when you just walked through with your arm reached up) from the best height you jumped. This number is your vertical leap from standing approach method.

Method 2 – The Full Approach (aka Max Vertical Approach)

STEP 1: First you need to establish and measure your reach by walking through the Vertec. Reach your arm as high as you can. Make sure you keep your arm tight to your ear as you walk through. Do this three times to get the most accurate reading. Make a note of the height you reached.

STEP 2: Now you can take 1 or 2 steps and jump or you can choose a running start then jump, whichever works best for you. The aim it to reach your maximum jump height . You can even try different approach methods to get your best height score. You can do this as many times as you feel necessary. Record the height you reached on each jump.

STEP 3: To work out your max vertical leap – subtract your reach height (the number you took when you just walked through with your arm reached up) from the best height you jumped. This number is your max vertical leap from full approach method.

HERE ARE THE VERTICAL JUMP STATS FOR ELITE NCAA D1 BASKETBALL PLAYERS – HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP?

It is important to have an idea of where you need to be at, in terms of numbers, if you are trying to play college basketball at the highest level. Lets take a look at some of the top D1 basketball players who went in for the NBA Draft Combine. This information is useful to any student athlete who wants to know where they need to be (in terms of figures and stats) to become an elite basketball player.

Are you a Guard? Here are the numbers for the top 2 guards Standing Vertical & Max Vertical Leap for the NBA Draft Combine 2021 …

Keon Johnson:

• • Standing vertical – 41.50 inches
  • Max vertical – 48.00 inches

Jaden Springer:

• • Standing vertical – 34.50 inches
  • Max vertical – 41.50 inches

Are you a Forward? Here are the numbers for the top forwards Standing Vertical & Max Vertical Leap for the NBA Draft Combine 2021 …

Scottie Barnes:

• Standing vertical – 36.00 inches

Yves Pons:

• • Standing vertical – 36.00 inches
  • Max vertical – 42.50 inches

Scottie Lewis:

• Max vertical – 42.00 inches

Are you a Center? Here are the numbers for the top centers Standing Vertical & Max Vertical Leap for the NBA Draft Combine 2021 …

Jericho Sims:

• • Standing vertical – 37.00 inches
  • Max vertical – 44.50 inches

Charles Bassey:

• Standing vertical – 33.00 inches

Sandro Mamukelashvili:

• Max vertical – 36.50 inches

CONCLUSION:

The vertical testing being included in the NBA Draft Combine shows how important your vertical jump is. How players test for this stat can be the difference between them getting drafted or not getting drafted. If you are serious about playing NCAA D1 basketball, you cannot ignore your vertical jump. The first step is to test it to know where you are starting from. Once you have determined where you are at, you can start to plan how you are going to improve your vertical. It takes time to increase your vertical jump. Remember, jumping is a skill. It needs to be focused on and worked on throughout your basketball career.