Having flat feet is often considered a bad thing for sportspersons as it is known to decrease speed, mobility, and aerial prowess.
NBA players with flat feet are 1. Karl-Anthony Towns 2. DeAndre Jordan 3. DeAndre Jordan and 7 more. We bring you the list of 10 NBA players with flat feet and some of them have changed the game for good.
However, some of the greatest athletes in the world are excelling with flat feet. One of the most notable examples of such athletes is Usain Bolt. The fastest person in the world was born with flat feet but he didn't let that character divert him from his goal.
Likewise, there are a lot of sprinters who run with flat feet. It is true that physical traits like running, jumping, and accelerating become comparatively difficult for athletes with flat feet, as research has shown. However, a lot of NBA players, who are considered the greatest of their generations, have flat feet.
Flat foot is very common among people. In fact, research shows that every two out of ten people is born with flat feet in the United States. Traditionally, the flat foot was considered a "weakness" in sports, and many people with such characteristics didn't even try to get it.
There are, of course, several challenges with having flat feet. One of those challenges is that it makes you prone to injuries. And rightly so, we have seen a lo of NBA players suffering from foot injury on regular basis.
But the times have changed. With proper training, flat-footed players can play even better as they are already good with side movements.
10. Karl-Anthony Towns
The Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl Anthony Towns has been playing basketball since childhood despite having flat feet.
However, Towns isn't one of the NBA players with the flattest feet, hence, he comes tenth on the list. The player's movement becomes quite awkward sometimes due to which people have started to think if he has flat feet.
The seven-foot power forward hasn't ever come forward about having flat feet at the press conference. But it's just his pattern of movement, especially in defense that makes people wonder.
The Kentucky alum was drafted by the Timberwolves as the first overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He had played just one year of collegiate basketball before the draft.
Following his introduction to NBA in 2015, KAT won the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2015/2016 season. The three-time NBA All-Star is also one of the most efficient three-point shooters in the league. He won the NBA Three-Point Contest in 2022.
Coming back after a long injury, he will be a glad addition to the Timberwolves who are fighting to further their playoffs. The power forward has been on the sidelines since he got off injured on November 28 in the game against Wahington.
Towns will be marking his return after 10 weeks of injury.
9. DeAndre Jordan
Another name on the list is the Los Angeles Clippers legend, DeAndre Jordan.
One of the best rebounders of the generation, Jordan is often known for getting flat-footed against smaller opponents. The six-foot-eleven NBA center is packed with physique and he has a tendency to get flat-footed when he is defending against a smaller and quicker opponent.
And still, Jordan is one of the best defenders in the league. He is often compared to the legendary Bill Russell for his exceptional blocks. The 34-year-old averages 1.6 blocks per game.
However, the issue with his feet has never been a problem in his career. DeAndre is one of the strongest rebounders of the past decade. He led the league in rebounding in two straight seasons in 2014 and 2015. The center averages 10.6 rebounds per game.
The Texas native went to Texas A&M before entering the draft in 2008. He was selected in the second round of the draft as the 35th overall pick by the Clippers and spent 11 seasons with the franchise before parting ways in 2018.
After a stint with a few NBA teams, Jordan returned back to Los Angeles in 2021. As of now, he plays for the Denver Nuggets who are in the form of their life.
8. Talen Horton-Tucker
Another player on the list is the youngster Talen Horton-Tucker.
The former NBA champion with the Lakers joined Utah Jazz in 2022 and fell away from form in the opening games of the 2022/23 season. But he has turned it around and is currently averaging 7.5 points per game, and has played over 16 minutes on average.
Drafted by Orlando Magic in 2019, there were concerns about his "heavy/flat foot" before the draft. After all, the shooting guard had forgone college to enter the draft in 2019. But he was drafted and has provided decent performances to date.
The Iowa State alum played collegiate basketball only for a single year. In his final year with the Lakers in the 2021/22 season, the shooting guard averaged 10 points 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. As a result, the Utah Jazz acquired him via trade in 2022.
Moreover, the shooting guard is known for his mid-range shots and layups. However, his defensive play is still a topic of the question and many have claimed that his "flat feet" don't let him be free while defending against a quicker opponent.
However, the six-foot-four guard has a lot of playing years in his career and surely has the window to improve. With an NBA Championship already on his accolade, Tucker's Jazz is cruising in the playoffs.
7. Kawhi Leonard
Another flat-footed NBA star on the list is the Los Angeles Clippers star, Kawhi Leonard.
There's no evidence about him having flat feet but the small forward's signature shoe, The Kawhi is often worn by people with flat feet. The sneakers became incredibly famous among flat-footed people, thereof, implying that Leonard might also be flat-footed.
However, the former NBA champion hasn't shared anything about his feet being flat. There are many clips where the small forward would struggle in defense against a faster player.
Drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft, Leonard won the NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. He was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player averaging 17.8 points per game. This made him the third youngest winner of the award in NBA history.
Moreover, the small forward joined the Toronto Raptors in 2018 and played a single season with them. However, he gave the performance of his lifetime, leading the Raptors to NBA glory in 2019. As a result, he won the NBA Finals MVP for the second time.
Despite flat feet which are prone to injury, Kawhi is one of the most influential NBA stars of the last decade. And his signature shoes are an inspiration for the falt-footed aspiring basketball players to never stop chasing their dreams.
6. Kyrie Irving
Another former NBA champion to be featured on this list is Kyrie Irving.
One of the best point guards in the NBA right now, Irving is also known to have feet flatter than normal. Despite this, he has been absolutely brilliant in the last 11 years, playing All-Star games on eight occasions.
The concept of flat feet also comes from one of his footwear, the Nike Kyrie 4. The sneakers immediately owned the market after releasing in 2018, especially loved by fans who have flatter feet.
As a result, the rumors of Kyrie having flat feet started to boil on social media. He then released a Flat Earth commercial with Nike and there were a lot of memes connecting his feet and the ad.
The six-foot-two point guard was the first overall pick by the Cavaliers in 2011. He joined the Cleveland-based franchise after spending a single year at Duke University.
And it didn't take long for Irving to come up with results. He won the Rookie of the Year in 2012 and led the Cavaliers to the NBA Championships in 2016, alongside LeBron James and Kevin Love.
Despite flat feet, Irving excels at every aspect of the basketball such as speed, jump, dribble, and of course, scoring ridiculous three-pointers.
5. Kevin Durant
Moving on to the top five of the list, we have none other than legendary Kevin Durant.
Regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Durant has often expressed frustration about his flat feet. During his time with the Golden State Warriors, his shoes fell off his feet many times on the court.
Speaking to the press conference afterward, Kevin confirmed that he had flat feet. "My feet are so weird, man. I’ve got flat feet. I’ve got all sorts of calluses and corns on my feet," said the former World Cup champion.
According to research conducted by several basketballing sites, the small forward's shoes have come off every eight games in his career. His former teammate Draymond Green also confessed that he hadn't seen anyone else like Durant whose shoes fall so often.
It is evident that Durant's feet are beyond normal. He describes him as "incredibly long and chicken-like." However, it didn't stop Durant from being one of the greatest scorers and arguably one of the greatest NBA players in history.
The Phoenix Suns star averages around 28 points per game. He led the NBA season scoring record four times in five years (2010-2012, 2014). He is also a part of the Golden State Warriors golden era where they won championships with complete dominance.
Moreover, the 13-time NBA All-Star has won the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2014. He also won the NBA Finals MVP in 2017 and 2018 with the Golden State Warriors.
With the Suns seating comfortable on the table for playoffs, the 2023 season might be another addition to his ever-so-bright CV.
4. Stephen Curry
It may come as a surprise but the three-point master Steph Curry also has feet flatter than others.
One of the all-time greats, and inspiration to millions worldwide, Curry has also struggled with feet problems. His feet are nowhere close to that of Kevin Durant's but still, the defending NBA Finals MVP.
Unlike Durant, Curry doesn't lose his shoes on regular occasions. But the design of his signature Under Armour shoes suggests that his feet are somewhat flat.
However, the star point guard struggles with injury issues. He has recently been injured and will be out for indefinite period.
But it, of course, doesn't bother the defending champion. He has been absolutely ruthless in the past eight years, reaching the NBA finals on six occasions and winning four of them.
Likewise, Curry was the league's MVP in 2015 and led a historic season for the Warriors in 2016 with the most wins in history. He was named the league's MVP unanimously during the year.
A fierce dribbler, the point guard is widely regarded as the greatest shooter of all time. He has made the most three-pointers in the history of the NBA and has inspired others to take more three-pointers and that too from ridiculous distances.
Despite having somewhat flat feet, Curry is often called "the foot shooter" for using his leading foot to increase the shooting percentage. And no one at this instance come close to the point guard's shooting.
3. Kobe Bryant
The Los Angeles Lakers legend and one of the all-time greats, Kobe Bryant also had flat feet.
It is not a surprise that the Black Mamba often reported having heel pain after the game. Later, he found out that the persisting pain was caused by his flat feet. He mentioned having an uncomfortable feeling on his feet in a press conference as well.
However, the problematic foot didn't have a single say in Byrant's decorated career in the NBA. The five-time NBA champion spent 20 seasons with the Lakers, enriching the franchise's history as one of the most successful teams in the NBA.
Alongside Shaq, Kobe led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships in the early 2000s. The shooting guard took the Lakers to NBA glory again in 2009 and 2010, winning the NBA Finals MVP on both occasions.
One of the greatest scorers of all time, Kobe was an 18-time NBA All-Star. He missed the All-Star selection in his debut season in 1997 and in 1999. After his retirement in the 2015/16 season, the Lakers retired the No.8 and No.24 jerseys, making him the only person to achieve such an accolade.
The shooting guard was an inspiration to millions of fans worldwide. His outspoken personality and sense of brotherhood were often praised during his NBA career.
2. LeBron James
King James is on the list not necessarily because of his flat feet but for his deformed feet.
The NBA's all-time highest scorer has a deformed toe that will surprise anyone who looks at it for the first team. It is one of the reasons LeBron always wears foot orthotics on the court.
Arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, it was a shock for everyone when a picture of his "messed up pinky" appeared on the internet. It went viral In no time but the Lakers star hasn't invested in time on commenting on the subject.
The four-time NBA champion, the small forward is known for his exceptional physique (of course the pinky toe doesn't count). He is known for using his strength to get past opponents. He has recently been dealing with unbearable foot pain.
Moreover, the four-time NBA regular season MVP just broke the record for most points, overtaking Kareem Abdul Jabbar last week. Often referred to as "King James", he is the only player who is compared to Michael Jordan as the all-time NBA greatest.
The six-foot-nine Ohio native has appeared in 10 NBA finals, winning four of them. He has also won the NBA Finals MVP four times in his career.
And to achieve all this with a deformed foot is no joke. But the Lakers star knows his strength and works on it. And there haven't been many who are better than him in basketball.
1. Dwyane Wade
Miami Heat's greatest player Dwyane Wade is on the top of the list for reasons beyond his feet.
It is common knowledge that Dwyane has flat feet as he has often talked about it on and off the court. The way he moves is different from others and the shooting guard hasn't kept it a secret.
But the six-foot-four NBA star developed one of the most famous shoes to overcome the issues of his flat feet, Wade Converse 1. And since then, converse shoes became gained worldwide popularity among the fans of basketball.
Career-wise, Wade is a legend of the Miami Heat. He leads the franchise on almost every parameter such as points, games, assists, steals, shots made, and shots taken.
A three-time NBA champion, Dwyane led the Heat to their first-ever NBA title in 2006. He then won two consecutive NBA championships in 2012 and 2013, taking the franchise's championship count to three. The franchise has won three championships in total.
A fierce shooter and scorer, Wade retired with an average of 22 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He retired in 2019 playing for the Miami Heat.
Despite the issue of flat feet, the shooting guard never flattened on scoring opportunities. His No. 3 jersey is retired by the Heat for his service to the team.
