At five feet six inches tall, Anthony Height has defied every expectation by becoming the highest jumper in the world relative to his stature. In episode 35 of Dunk Talk, Dylan Haugen explores Anthony’s extraordinary story — how an athlete standing well below average height developed a vertical leap that places him among the most explosive humans on the planet.
Who Is Anthony Height?
Anthony Height is a vertical jump phenomenon whose measured leaping ability is among the highest ever recorded when adjusted for body height. Standing at just five feet six inches, every inch of his vertical represents an outsized physical achievement. His story challenges fundamental assumptions about what shorter athletes can accomplish and provides a powerful example for anyone who has been told their height limits their potential.
Developing an Elite Vertical at a Short Stature
Anthony details the training journey that built his extraordinary jumping ability. His program evolved through multiple phases, starting with foundational strength work and progressively incorporating more explosive and reactive training. He discusses the specific exercises and programming strategies that worked best for him, many of which are tailored to the unique biomechanical considerations of shorter athletes.
One key insight Anthony shares is the importance of relative strength — how strong you are compared to your body weight. For shorter athletes, this ratio is often naturally favorable, and maximizing it through training can produce jumping numbers that seem disproportionate to the athlete’s size.
The Psychology of Being the Shortest Guy in the Gym
Anthony addresses the mental and emotional dimensions of being a short athlete in a sport that is often associated with height. He discusses how he dealt with skepticism and dismissiveness early in his career, and how he transformed those experiences into motivation rather than discouragement. His mental toughness is just as impressive as his physical abilities, and the two are deeply interconnected.
Training Insights for Shorter Athletes
Throughout the episode, Anthony drops practical training advice specifically targeted at shorter athletes. He discusses how approach mechanics differ for shorter jumpers, the importance of maximizing arm swing efficiency, and how to select training exercises that address the specific needs of a smaller frame. This information is particularly valuable because most vertical jump training content is created by and for taller athletes.
Breaking Records and Changing Perceptions
Anthony’s measured vertical jump numbers are not just personal achievements — they are benchmarks that redefine what the community believes is possible for athletes of his height. By publicly demonstrating what a five-foot-six athlete can achieve, he has expanded the imagination of every short dunker who follows in his footsteps.
If you are under six feet tall and dunking, share your story in the comments — the community needs to hear from athletes like you.