Studies from the rosters

D1 guards average 6'3", forwards 6'8", centers 6'11" — and every level down is about an inch shorter at each position. Computed from 12,714 player-seasons on 2026–27 rosters.

24% D1 · 28% D2 · 48% D3 — the level distribution of 8,813 guards in the most common height band, and the whole ladder from 5'9" to 6'8". Five seasons of rosters.

D1 rosters list 15 players on average, D2 16, D3 19 — and guards are about two-thirds of every roster. From 831 programs' 2026–27 rosters, with the walk-on and redshirt caveat every parent should know.

Big West Conference 2026–27 rosters, program by program: 12 programs, average roster 15.6, average height 6'6", 57% new this season, 41% in-state, beside Division I.

American Conference 2026–27 rosters, program by program: 13 programs, average roster 14.4, average height 6'6", 73% new this season, 26% in-state, beside Division I.

Great American Conference 2026–27 rosters, program by program: 12 programs, average roster 15.7, average height 6'4", 53% new this season, 44% in-state, beside Division II.

Mountain East Conference 2026–27 rosters, program by program: 10 programs, average roster 18.9, average height 6'4", 53% new this season, 35% in-state, beside Division II.

Sun Belt Conference 2026–27 rosters, program by program: 14 programs, average roster 15.1, average height 6'5", 75% new this season, 20% in-state, beside Division I.

Lone Star Conference 2026–27 rosters, program by program: 15 programs, average roster 15.1, average height 6'4", 67% new this season, 58% in-state, beside Division II.

D3: 91.7% of Midwest players stay in their region, 47.3% of West players. From 9,821 2026–27 roster spots.

D1 forwards average 6'7" (Atlantic Sun Conference) to 6'9" (Big Ten Conference), from 12,979 2026–27 roster spots.

Coastal Athletic Association 2026–27 rosters, program by program: 13 programs, average roster 15.3, average height 6'5", 69% new this season, 15% in-state, beside Division I.