I thought about Shaquille O’Neal’s idea in regards to lowering the height of the basket in the WNBA to 9 feet, in an effort to bring more excitement to the game.  Break away dunks become more electrifying. Posterizing facial slams and acrobatic layups are more possible during the game.  The cost for such excitement may bring major impact to the training as well as the business of women’s basketball.

The average height in WNBA is 5’11”, while the NBA averages around 6’6”.  There are certain players in the WNBA that supports this idea, and  I do see how this idea can make the game more exciting in the WNBA.  I can picture players such as Jonquel Jones with a Kevin Durant style of attacking the rim with an “and 1” dunk.  It would be exciting to watch Elizabeth Cambage on a put-back dunk off of a miss.  I haven’t even mention Britney Griner’s already dominance at the current 10’ basket height regulation. 

Here’s the breakdown of the top tallest players in the WNBA in 2021.

1. Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury, 6 feet 9 inches
2. Teaira McCowan, Indiana Fever, 6 feet 7 inches
3. Kalani Brown, Atlanta Dream, 6 feet 7 inches
4. Mercedes Russell, Seattle Storm, 6 feet 6 inches
5. Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx, 6 feet 6 inches
6. Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun, 6 feet 6 inches
7. Azura Stevens, Chicago Sky, 6 feet 6 inches
8. Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics, 6 feet 5 inches
9. Amanda Zahui B., Los Angeles Sparks, 6 feet 5 inches
10. Astou Ndour, Chicago Sky, 6 feet 5 inches
11. Theresa Plaisance, Washington Mystics, 6 feet 5 inches
12. Stefanie Dolson, Chicago Sky, 6 feet 5 inches

Rule changes happens every year to better the flow and play of basketball.  The idea is to provide a more entertaining game to watch for fans, and at the same time increasing the competition level.  The beauty of this sport is regardless of how the game changes, the players will always readjust their playing style.  But all this doesn’t mean that we should lower the height of the rim for the WNBA.  I don’t think the world is ready for that as a norm.  The cost to re-adjust or add new height to the basket courts around the world would be absurd.  Until then, this lobby’s more for a different type of professional women's basketball league.  One that consists of a 9’ basket height for women.  If Ice Cube started a professional league of 3 on 3 basketball, why not a 9’ basket women’s basketball league? 

I’d watch it.

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