Can Anthropometric Variables and Maturation Predict the Playing Position in Youth Basketball Players?

Anthropometric diagnoses predict the most appropriate on-court position for a certain player and are important in the long-term planning of basketball training programs. This study provides anthropometric characteristics and body composition profiles of Polish youth national team players (U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-18). The aim of this research was to determine the somatic characteristics of basketball players regarding particular on-court positions. The sample population consisted of 109 elite basketball players, who played in national teams in four age categories: U-14, U-16, U-18 U-20. An analysis of the obtained results revealed differences between the younger (U-14, U-15 and U-16) and older groups (U-18 and U-20) in terms of length, width and circumference measurements and body mass (3.6-9.3%), as well as subcutaneous fat measured by the skinfold thickness method (14.3-33.7%). ANCOVA with maturity offset as the covariate variable showed differences in body height (p < 0.05, R = 0.74) and the arm span (p < 0.05, R = 0.87) between each playing position; the somatic measurements were greater for centers than for forwards and guards, and the measurements were greater for forwards than for guards. The somatic feature measurements also increased linearly with age. We can conclude that the arm span and body height are two major somatic factors that can predict center and guard playing positions for national team basketball players in all age categories from U-14 to U-20.