According to Utah’s training camp roster, Kanter measures 6-foot-11 and weighs 259 pounds.
The latter isn’t up for debate. Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin praised Kanter’s muscular build and fearless inside presence, while starting center Al Jefferson said Kanter is already a beast on the offensive glass.
However, questions about Kanter’s height drew a variety of responses from Utah coaches and players.
The issue came to light when seeing the No. 3 overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft stand next to everyone, from 6-foot-6 Alec Burks to 6-foot-11 Mehmet Okur.
Kanter appeared to only be about two to three inches taller than Burks, two inches shorter than Okur and about an inch beneath 6-foot-10 Jefferson.
Kanter measured 6-9.75 without shoes and 6-11.25 with shoes during the draft combine.
“He’s more of a wider body that’s proportioned, so his height is distorted a little bit,” Corbin said.
Jazz manager of player development Michael Sanders estimated Kanter to be 6-foot-9. But Sanders said Kanter should be able to use his strength and width to neutralize an opponent’s height advantage in the paint.
“You tell me he’s 6-9, but he play like 7-5 to me,” Okur said.
Big Al acknowledged he might have an “inch or half inch” on Kanter, but said any height difference is nullified by the rookie’s inside force.