Will I grow more if I stay healthy?

Last updated on December 24, 2020

Question:

Hello,

I am almost 17. Right now, I’m 5’11.5 and my Tanner stage is 4.3. I’m aiming to be 6’0.5. Is it still possible with 8-9 hours of sleep, stretching, and a good diet?

My family’s heights are: Father (5’10), Mother (5’3), Older brother (6’3), and Older sister (5’8).

Thanks and regards.

Answer:

Your maximum height was determined when you were conceived. The genes you received from your parents determine the height to which you will grow. Some people don’t reach their potential height because of poor nutrition or a major illness. But if you are eating well, getting exercise, and plenty of rest, then there is no concern about you reaching your maximum potential height.

Boys in stage 4 typically grow another 1 to 3 inches before all growth stops when stage 5 is reached. Most of the growth will come early in stage 4 and taper off as you get close to stage 5. So is it likely that you’ll exceed 6 feet? Yes. By how much? I don’t know. You’ll just have to wait and see.

But more importantly, be happy with who you are. It makes no difference if you are 1 inch or 2 inches taller. Your height doesn’t change you as a person. Therefore, accept the things you cannot control.

Question:

Thanks a lot. I understand you very well.

I want to be a basketball player in my country. That’s why I want to be a little bit taller. In basketball even 2-3 cm can change a lot of things. If I did not have this as a goal, I really would not care.

By the way, I could be 4.5-4.6, I’m not sure. Hopefully, I’ll grow.

Thanks again.

Answer:

While greater height gives a person more to work with when it comes to basketball, height alone cannot make up for a lack of skill. There are famous basketball players who are only 5’9″ tall. Such players use their greater skills to overcome their height disadvantage.

“What a basketball player gains in leverage thanks to his height, he may lose on other aspects including speed and agility. Shorter players are lightweight, which increases their speed when moving across the court. While taller players may have longer legs, they must put forth more effort to propel themselves forward. Also, those with longer legs can be clumsier and require more coordination than a shorter basketball player.” [“Is Height Important in Basketball?“, LiveStrong.com].

Thus, if it turns out that you don’t reach the height you believe you need to be a basketball player, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your dream. It means you have to work harder to achieve your dream, and that isn’t a bad thing.