Fitness Testing
Fitness Testing > Tests > Speed & Power > Vertical Jump > Records
World Best Vertical Jump Scores
The vertical jump test measures the difference between a jump straight up off both feet, and the reach height. The result is therefore independent of someone's actual height, and can generally be considered how high the feet get off the ground. See a description of the Vertical Jump fitness test.
Top Verified Vertical Jumps
These vertical jump results are taken from combine and draft camp fitness testing and other reliable sources, where the test procedure is known to be a standardized vertical jump technique, and the testing is conducted by qualified sports science staff. These are the best scores as far as we know from each combine, though results from some years are unknown. These are not the top four best jumps, for example there are many more from the NFL testing with jumps over 43".
Standing Vertical Jump (countermovement, no step)
| combine | vertical jump | name | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL | 46" (117 cm) | Gerald Sensabaugh | (FS), North Carolina in 2005 |
| NBA | 38.0" (96.5 cm) | Dwayne Mitchell | from 2012 |
| NHL | 34.0" (86 cm) | Mac Bennett | Hotchkiss School (HIGH-CT), 2009 |
| AFL | 33.5" (85 cm) | Dean Towers | from 2012 Draft Combine |
Maximum Vertical Jump with run up approach
| combine | vertical jump | name | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | 45.5" (115.5 cm) | Kenny Gregory | from 2001 |
| AFL | 40' (102 cm) | Jared Brennan & Nick Naitanui | from 2002 & 2008 |
More Best Vertical Jumps
Many reported vertical jump scores are based on rumors and are from jumps using techniques other than the standard ones as described above. Many of these jumps may have been achieved with a single step or a run up, compared to the usual technique for the standard vertical jump test from a standing position. As the protocol used for many of these scores are not listed, it is difficult to make direct comparisons to the best results listed above. These results are listed out of interest, but should not be taken as fact.
The world record holder for the vertical jump (according to answers.com) is held by Michael Wilson of the Globetrotters, who has a 55" leap (he also once dunked on a 12-foot hoop, which is also a record). Someone else reports that Kadour Ziani, the highest vertical leaper from Slamnation, has a vertical jump of 61" (other reports for top leaps for Kadour range from 56"/142cm upwards). There are some other impressive stats coming from another slam dunking group, Team Flight Brothers, especially Terrell Cournoyea aka TDub, who is just 5'9" tall. He has apparently been seen leaping with his head above the basketball rim, very impressive for his size.
Volleyball player Leonel Marshall reportedly has a 50" (127 cm) vertical leap from standing. He is the star of Men's Cuban National Volleyball team. Search for him on YouTube and you will see some spectacular jumping action of him.
| rank | Athlete: | Sport | Vertical | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kadour Ziani | Basketball | 60" | from Slamnation, he is 5'10 tall |
| 2 | Michael Wilson | Basketball | 55" (or 51") | Globetrotters |
| 3 | Reggie Thompson | Basketball | 56" (142 cm) * | Jumpsoles |
| 4 | Randy Moss | NFL | 51" | |
| 5 | Henry Bekkering | Basketball | 50"+ | |
| 6 | Robert Martin | Basketball | 50" | he was given the nickname "50" because people said he had a 50-inch vertical jump. He is 6'8" tall and weighs 210 lbs |
| 7 | Leonel Marshall | Volleyball | 50" (127 cm) | |
| 8 | Jameel Pugh | Basketball | 50" (127 cm) | |
| 9 | Michael Jordan | Basketball | 48" (122 cm) | |
| 10 | Ronnie Fields | Basketball | 48" (122 cm) | |
| Jamario Moon | Basketball | 47" | NBA | |
| Spudd Webb | Basketball | 46" | height, 5 ft 7 in |
Notes
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On Reggie Thompson's website, it says that he holds the World Record for highest vertical jump at 59" (recorded in the guiness book as 56").
Related Pages
- procedure for Vertical Jump Testing
- Vertical Jump results for athletes.
- Vertical Jump Norms
- more Fitness Testing Records and other Sporting Records
- More Records? I scan the internet for the latest athlete results. If you know of something I have missed, it would be great to hear from you.
I had a twin brother that had his head chin level over the basket. His head was about 13 inches over the rim. He did this while playing against our dad in a basketball gym about 12 years ago. My brother grabbed the rebound and went straight back up. His head went 13 inches over the basket. He layed the ball in the hoop instead because his head was past the basket. It was the most amazing thing I ever saw because I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES. This was a standing vertical because he did this without running first. This was when my twin brother was 16 years old at the time. Me and our our dad was amazed by it so we told him to do a running vertical and he ended up jumping 8 inches higher than his standind vertical. His head was about 21 inches above the basket. Our dad measured his vertical afterward. At that time, my twin brother was 5â 3 and had a standing reach of 6â 10. HE COULD TOUCH 12â 7 ON THE BACKboard while just standing first and he could touch 13â 3 on the backboard while doing a running vertical. We found out that my twin brother's standing vertical was 69 inches and his running vertical was 77 inches. It was amazing watching someone jump so jump. I would had video taped it back when he did this amazing thing, but our mom and dad did not own a video camera at that time. It sucks though because I want all of you people to see this amazing thing for yourself because you people would be amazed by it as well. My twin brother is now 28 years old and is 5â 8 now. It is very much possible to jump that high because my twin brother did it a while back while I witnessed it and it was amazing to see. We never videotaped him doing it. His name would have been to of his chart right now. We never told Guininess Book of World Records about it. I just had to tell yah that it is possible jump that high.
My twin brothers Measurements as a 16 year old 12 years ago
Standing vertical 69 inches
Running vertical 77 inches
Height With Shoes 5'3
Standing Reach 6' 10
Max vertical Reach While Standing 12' 7
Max Vertical Reach While Running 13' 3
My Twin brother is now 5' 8. His name is Terrance Harvey. He was very athletic and still is. He is a great basketball player. Always has been, but he is currently doing something else right now. He can easily get INTO THE NBA easily and dominate. He just had surgery 2 years ago. My brother never played high school basketball or college basketball because he had a very bad injury but never went into surgery for it because he decided not to at the time. Alot of people resemble him to Michael Jordan back then while playing in the gym and still do. He is person that can easily be better than MJ. Thats all I have to say about my twin brother.