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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.



Best Combine Vertical Jump Scores

The following 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 41.5" (105.4 cm) Keon Johnson from NBA Combine in 2021
MLS 36.5" (92.7cm) Chris Odoi-Atsem from 2017 MLS combine
AFL 35" (89 cm) Jordan Gallucci (2016) and Aiden Bonar (2017) from the AFL Combine
NHL 34.0" (86 cm) Mac Bennett Hotchkiss School (HIGH-CT), 2009

Maximum Vertical Jump with run up approach

combine vertical jump name notes
NBA 48" (121.9 cm) Keon Johnson from 2021
AFL 40.5" (103 cm) Kyron Hayden from 2017

Other Verified Scores

vertical jump name sport notes
46.5" (118.1 cm) Josh Imatorbhebhe NFL This would have been a NFL combine record if one was officially held (in 2021 testing was done at college pro days due to the pandemic)
46" (116.8 cm) Jameson Konz NFL see on on youtube. height 6'3.5 and weight 235 pounds. Achieved at the Kent States Pro Day.

Unverified 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 the Men's Cuban National Volleyball team. Search for him on YouTube and you will see some spectacular jumping action of him.

On Reggie Thompson's website, it says that he holds the World Record for highest vertical jump at 59" (recorded in the Guiness Book of Records as 56").



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