At 5'9, 185 pounds, Isaiah Thomas is the shortest and smallest active NBA player. There are others as well, like Don Dino Martin and Willie Somerset, who gave power-packed performances in their tenure with the same height. To make matters worse, even after he gutted through all that for Boston, then-general manager Danny Ainge traded Thomas away the following season, which did not sit well with many inside and outside the game. Tyrone Curtis Bouges was referred to as " Muggsy " by his playmates due to his birthplace, Maryland. Who was the shortest NBA player ever? Red only played for one year in the NBA no small accomplishment for a 57 guy but its what he did after his primetime days were over that makes him noteworthy. He was chosen by the Chicago Bulls as the 34th overall pick in the 2000 NBA draft. Thats cool. Shane Larkin - 5-foot-11 Shane Larkin #0 of the Brooklyn Nets heads for the net | Elsa/Getty Images He is known as the shortest-ever player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, and was the all-time leading scorer for the same Rockets when he retired in 1983, with the record standing for 11 years until it was broken by a fellow Hall-of-Famer, Hakeem Olajuwon. Starting off the list is Earl Boykins, the second shortest NBA player of all time. Phoenix Suns chose him as the 52nd overall pick in the 1989NBA Draft. But even the most vertically-gifted players in the league would be jealous of Iversons trophy case. He won a coveted MVP award in 2001, was named to the All-Star Team 11 times and led the league in steals and scoring three and four times, respectively. During his time with the Warriors, his best performance came in a game where he racked up 23 points and 10 assists in 41 minutes. Klotz first played with NBAs Baltimore Bullets in 1947. In case you've just realized your growth spurt might not come, don't ditch your jersey yet. Longest NBA chain quiz of all time! He completed his graduation in 1943 and became a navigator in the US Army Air Corps. Known far and wide as the shortest player ever to participate in an NBA Slam Dunk Content, Webb won that event in 1986. Nate Robinson is the smallest basketball player ever to win the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest twice and the only player in the world to do so three times in his career (2006, 2009, and 2010). That injury wound up changing the course of Thomass career, as he played through the injury and seemingly made it worse, to the point that he eventually needed surgery and had a hard time not only regaining his former All-Star form, but even staying on the court. Who is the shortest NBA player of all time? 3.1 Nate Robinson. Remember, Iversons six-foot frame puts him a good eight inches below the average player. Just a few years later, the first African American player debuted in what was then called the Basketball Association of America. Bogues was a great passer (7.6 assists per game) and stealer (1.5 steals per game). Height: 5 feet, 7 inches. He found success in the NBA despite his height and wrote a book about his journey, titled Heart Over Height.. One could argue that a substantially shorter player may have to work much harder than his non-height-challenged teammates. His position as a guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves wasnt valued however, as theyd already drafted two players for the same position. This is a list of the tallest players in National Basketball Association history. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the 18th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft but was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks that night. Clemons made his debut in 2019 with the Rockets. Isaiah Thomas is 59. A few years later, he led his division in scoring and was drafted as the 52nd overall pick for the NBA, landing on the Phoenix Suns team. At 5'3, Muggsy Bogues is the shortest NBA player of all time. A 2-time All-Star with the Boston Celtics, Thomas has proven height does not equate to success on the court. While most of those who take the court in the league are much, much taller than your average man, there are loads more who might have had below-average height, but way above-average skills. The shortest player in NBA history is Muggsy Bouges, who is only 1.60m tall. Measuring in at 5-foot-3 makes Muggsy Bogues the shortest NBA player of all time. He never found a permanent home and eventually ended up using his basketball skills to help coach the Oklahoma City Thunder. Even now, Hirsch is the third shortest NBA player of all time. Robinson played for eight teams during his career, tallying 618 games, mostly for the New York Knicks. Mel held the record for being the shortest NBA player of history for a solid 40 years before Boykins and Bogues came into the picture. (The guy he beat, Dominique Wilkins, was a monstrous 68.). Scott Brooks went undrafted initially, but he went on to become a successful coach. These 30 men are some of the shortest basketball players of all time. In fact, he used his short size to his advantage offensively and defensively. The next year, he made it to the NBA and played for the Atlanta Hawks. Upon graduating from UCLA, Edney was selected as the 47th overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 1995 draft, playing with them for two seasons. He earned his selection in the NBA because of his sharpshooting and passing skills. He recently returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach. At 5 ft 3 in, former Charlotte Hornets point guard Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history. With Denver, Boykins became the shortest player in NBA history to score 30 points in a single game; scoring 32 in a 117-109 win over the Detroit Pistons on November 11, 2004. . He played at the highest levels from 1987 to 2001, totaling 889 games played, most of which with the Charlotte Hornets with whom he played from 1988 to 1997. Yes, Charlie Criss is an NBA player with a height of 58. 1 Shortest NBA Players Of All Time. In a sport where the average height is 6 feet 7 inches, however, Michael Adams still struggled to get noticed because of his size. Greg Grant didnt have a traditional entry into competitive basketball. Michael Anthony Jerome known as Spud Webb is one of the shortest players in the NBA in history who played for several NBA teams from 1986 until 1998. He was known to use size to his advantage in passing and steals and even managed to block 39 shots throughout his 14 season career. He even coached Nate Robinson for his first slam-dunk competition victory, and he remains the shortest contestant and winner in NBA history. For one, yes, his stature and standing as the shortest active player in the NBA, but also for having his name resemble Hall of Fame guard Isiah Thomas. His low leverage helped him become a great ball stealer and passer. 1) Jayson Tatum - Boston Celtics (+275) opened +1400. Monte Towe. Greg Grant Played 274 games through the 1990s. Barretts career had a rocky start. A post shared by Allen Iverson (@theofficialai3). Criss, however, faced many challenges in his basketball career. Thats what a short guy dominating the taller competition looks like. The current shortest NBA player is 5ft 9in tall (1.75m). In the history of the NBA, the five top shortest players are Muggsy Bogues with 53 height, Earl Boykins (Height 55), Mel Hirsch (Height 56), Spud Webb (Height 56), and Greg Grant (Height 57). Tyrone is an American former basketball player. ARE YOU A BANDWAGON???? include Spud Webb, Isaiah Thomas, and Earl Boykins. He only played in the NBA for four seasons before making the jump to the EuroLeague, where he excelled. Tell us below! The 5 feet 10 inches guard then spent years bouncing between teams, including the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns in a frenzy of signings and transactions. Spud. He joined Eastern Michigan University and played for the Eagles team. Career NBA stats. When 5-foot-9-inch (175 cm) Isaiah Thomas tipped off against 5-foot-6-inch (168 cm) Tyler Ulis, it was speculated to be the shortest . Muggsy Bogues, 1987-2001: 5-foot-3 Earl Boykins, 1998-2012: 5-foot-5 T-3. Like his other mates with short stature, Grant proved his skill through the practical approach. In three consecutive appearances in the postseason with Denver, Boykins averaged just a shade under 13 points, four assists, and one steal over 15 total playoff games. He currently plays with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After retiring, he went to Trenton, New Jersey, to run a sports academy. From 1992 to 1995, he played for Californias Golden State Warriors as a point guard and is still one of the shortest NBA players today. Prior to joining the NBA, he made history at the University of Oregon, being the first player to leave school early for the league. Back then, Misaka never thought his impact would be so powerful. He is known as the Rocket for his whole playing career. Wat Misaka, Monty Towe, Keith Jennings, Greg Grant 5'7 (170 cm) Herm Klotz 5-7, 150lb (170cm, 68kg) Herm Klotz is the shortest NBA champion ever. Here are the top 10 shortest players to ever play in the NBA. Bogues became the shortest player the NBA had ever seen and he is still the shortest player even after decades. For his immense success and achievements, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame inducted him in 2002. Since then, Paul has won an NBA Rookie of the Year Award, an NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player Award, and two Olympic gold medals. In the 1997 draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers quickly picked him up as their 16th overall pick. In 1953, his team went to compete with Globetrotters. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). Robinson came into the league as a first round pick and lived up to the billing for over a decade. He played for 14-year in NBA. This boy from Japanese ancestry had a tough life and lived throughout. Who are the greatest NBA small players of all-time? He always wanted to moveup and play in the NBA after becoming theMost Valuable Player twice in the association. However, he also played for renowned teams like Germany, Turkey, Spain, Russia, and France. 1.3 Earl Boykins. 270 questions! He closed his career at 36 years old with an average of 7.7 points and 7.6 assists per game. However, El-Amin was let go at the end of his contract and never found another permanent team to play for. He soon joined NBA and played for Washington Wizards, Milwaukee Bucks, and Houston Rockets. Recently he has been serving at Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia as an assistant coach. In 1991, this star graduated from East Tennessee State University. The shortest player to ever play for an NBA squad is pretty well known, and with a spectacularly great name to boot. But shorter players have some interesting advantages when theyre quick, aggressive and willing to play bigger than their size. He didnt quite match the success of his first season until 2005, when he set the Blazers franchise scoring record with 54 points. Grant played for the Philadelphia 76ers as a point guard from 1991-1993. Plus, he was exceptionally good at defending, so they always said that he was mugging them. Even better, Webb topped his teammate, Hall-of-Famer (and legendary dunker) Dominique Wilkins to take the dunking crown, held in Dallas that season, which happened to be Webbs hometown. Overall, he averaged 4.7 points and 1.5 assists before recently retiring and becoming a player development coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even those who dont follow the NBA likely know who Bogues is, either from his well-known standing as the leagues shortest-ever player, or maybe even more so for his role in the original Space Jam movie. Hirsch you probably dont know much about, if at all. He achieved the title of NBAs smallest player and the oldest rookie. Height: 5'9. Isiah Thomas of the Celtics at 58 averaged nearly 30 points a game about 5 years ago and also scored 54 in a playoff game, Damon stoudamire is 510 Dunkest is a self-financed project that has been supporting and promoting the world of basketball since 2013. Towe played for Denver Nuggets from 1976 to 1977. Six-foot tall guys like Chris Paul wouldnt be considered short in too many places, but the basketball court is one of them. A post shared by Calvin Murphy (@cjmurphy23). Hes also had his share of off-the-court controversies. Home Blog Resources ContactAdvertise, Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure Terms & Conditions. Norm Sloan, the teams head coach, had fears regarding Monte Towe, but he proved them wrong with his brilliance and excellence on the court. Charlie Criss - 5-foot-8 (Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks) Charlie Criss played eight seasons in the . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Towe was soon made the team lead and managed to bring a national championship win for his university. He is also the first Asian-American player who participated in the NBA contest and succeeded. Before Iverson, the NBA world hadnt seen anyone this short be this good. Tra di noi, ci sono plurivincitori di fantabasket sempre impegnati per darvi notizie e consigli aggiornati. Lets have a look at the shortest NBA players in [year]. Throughout his career, he averaged 3.2 assists and 8.9 points per game while only playing about 20 minutes per game on average. Top 10 Super Cute Basketball Players To Watch Out In [year], Top 10 Worst Players In The NBA Of All Time | [year] Updated, Nets, Cavaliers, Magic, Clippers, Warriors, Nuggets, Bucks, Bobcats, Wizards, Rockets, Suns, Knicks, Hornets, 76ers, Bullets, Nuggets, Knicks, Celtics, Thunder, Warriors, Bulls, Nuggets, Clippers, Pelicans. He had a smooth transition from player to coach, having one of the best starts for a rookie head coach in league history. Willie Somerset Got in eight games for the Baltimore Bullets in 1965-66. When Criss entered the NBA, he was the leagues shortest active player. As of around 10 years ago (when teams were still measuring players in shoes), the average NBA player officially clocked in at a towering 67! Still, there are rule breakers who played Basketball despite being the shortest NBA player of all time. Currently, the shortest player in the NBA is Houston Rockets guard Chris Clemons. The 15 Shortest NFL Players of All Time 1. Chris Paul and Kyle Lowry are among the marquee players with the smallest heights on their teams. In high school, Terrell Brandon and his teammates made it to the 1988 Class AAA Oregon Boys High-School Basketball Championship. After graduating from Brooklyn College in 1943, Hirsch would go on to play for the Celtics for 13 games in the 1946-47 Basketball Association of America (BAA, the former name of the NBA) season. How to Play Push in Table Tennis? The professional basketball player was born in Frankfurt, Germany, on September 16, 1921. All of the players listed here have played or play the position of point guard. After serving for two years in the Army, he returned to the University of Utah and made his team win National Invitation Tournament Championship. Criss was always very quick with the ball, and his coach Hubie Brown was very proud of him. He got his chance with the Golden State Warriors, and boy did he make the most of it. He went to Brooklyn College and became a part of the basketball team there. Unfortunately, his professional career didnt last long, and Barrett only played a total of four seasons before retiring at the age of 25. The only shortest player who was also inducted into the Hall of Fame is Calvin Murphy with a height of 59. Despite his slight frame being a little out of place in such a physical game, Boykins is the shortest player in NBA history to ever score more than 30 points in a game. Your email address will not be published. Though his career only lasted a few years, Jennings will be remembered for his breakout performance in one of his final game appearances: 23 points and 10 assists, an outrageous stat line for an undrafted 57 point guard. Keith Jennings Suited up 164 times for the Golden State Warriors. He was named an NBA All-Star in 2016 and 2017 and received All-NBA Team Honors while playing that season for the Boston Celtics. The shortest NBA player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is Calvin Murphy at 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m). You may recall that Robinson also went into boxing for one fight, losing in a knockout to Jake Paul in 2022. The 13 Shortest NBA Players of All Time Let's get into to the list, in no particular order 1. He played 814 games in the NBA, averaging 9.9 points a game from 1985 to 1998 and even became the shortest player to win the NBA slam-dunk contest. His game winning shot back in college at UCLA is arguably one of the most famous plays in NCAA history. He was soon traded to the Denver Nuggets, and after 6 years, began bouncing from team to team. Despite this, many players of small stature have had great success, even entering the Hall of Fame. He's led the Celtics to . He was first drafted in 2000 by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 20th overall pick. Some teams hes played for include the Tulsa 66ers, the Houston Rockets, the Utah Jazz and the Shanghai Sharks. The net is pretty high up in the air. Since then, Thomas has shown his worth as a player. To date, he only played one full 82-game season, and started 76 games in that legendary season with the Celtics in 2016-17 but has only topped 17 games in a season once since then, 40 with the Washington Wizards in 2019-20. During the 1990-1991 season, he averaged 26.5 points per game and secured an All-Star selection the following year. Over 814 career games and 12 seasons, Webb averaged just a hair under 10 points per game and tallied 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and even 2.1 rebounds, playing mostly for the Atlanta Hawks, but also for the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic. 8. Being a 5'7" point guard meant that Towe . The Shortest NBA Players of All Time Photo Courtesy: Shinya Suzuki/flickr Even though height is almost synonymous with basketball players, not all professionals are seven feet tall. Criss is not the only player to have played in the NBA with a height of 58. Got questions? Charlie Hoefer The 14th shortest NBA player on our list is Charlie Hoefer. Webbs face was everywhere for a moment as he starred in commercials for Coca-Cola, Chips Ahoy!, Hardees Hamburgers, Sunkist Oranges, Pony Shoes, and Churchs Fried Chicken, among others. At 5-foot-3-inch (1.60 m) Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player ever to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Tyrone Curtis Bouges was referred to as Muggsy by his playmates due to his birthplace, Maryland. He is the shortest basketball player ever to play in the National Basketball Association. Before he could begin his contract with the Mavericks, he broke his ankle during a Summer League practice, but he still went on to have a solid season. Webb also helped hoist up another Slam Dunk champ, as he trained the five foot, nine inch-tall Nate Robinson to a title in 2006. During his career, he averaged 6.3 points, 2.9 assists, 1.6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1.1 turnovers and 2 fouls in 18.6 minutes over the duration of 50 games. Monte Towe, like many of those previously listed, first achieved great success as a basketball star in college. Hirsch suffered a lot during his last days and died from leukemia at the age of just 47 in December 1968. He became the ambassador for spreading love in the game. His nickname, The Answer is well-deserved considering the slew of accolades hes achieved. Bogues was First Team All-ACC in 1987 and was the Frances Pomeroy . He is officially the shortest NBA player of all time. There have been nine players in NBA history who stood at 5-foot-7 or shorter, led by the 5-foot-3 Muggsy Bogues. Bogues was a great passer (7.6 assists per game) and stealer (1.5 steals per game). He then played for Charlotte Hornets. For the word puzzle clue of who is the 3rd shortest nba player of all time, the Sporcle Puzzle Library found the following results. Spud Webb - 5'7". He became the MAC Tournament MVP in 1998 and achieved the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award the same year. His defensive skills in particular have been praised, as he has led the league in steals six times. 167.6 cm/5'6 in height, Spud Webb is also the shortest NBA player to compete in a Slam Dunk event. Like many on this list, he goes down in history as a player who made up for height with heart. A post shared by Underrated Throwback Hoops (@oldschool_hoops). Aaron Holiday: 6-foot. They remain the only NBA players under six feet to take the dunk championship. Normally the average height of an NBA player is 6-foot-6. Anthony "Spud" Webb, 5' 7". He went to Brooklyn College and became a part of the basketball team there. He has attained remarkable success as a basketball player, becoming a four-time NBA scoring champion, 11-time All-Star, and 2001 Most Valuable Player. After being picked last in the 2011 NBA Draft, Thomas has played for 10 NBA teams in 11 years - including a stint in the NBA's G League. Do you think height matters for a basketball player? Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/nonstopFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/. Michael Adams at 510 scored 50 in a game. Spud is the currentPresident of Basketball Operations for theTexas Legends, which istheminor league affiliateof theDallas Mavericks. His short stature didn't hinder him to have an impactful career. It might come as a little bit of a surprise, but there are a lot more players under 6 feet tall who have suited up in the NBA. In the 2019 NBA draft, Clemons went undrafted but afterward found his way in the rockets summer league team. He played for the Boston Celtics long before the NBA was even a thing. Towe's coaching career has lasted much longer than his NBA . He spent his entire 13-year career in a Houston Rockets uniform playing as a guard. Required fields are marked *, Top 10 Highest Paid UK Footballers In [year], Top 10 Greatest Female Bodybuilders of All Time. With 5.5 feet in height, he is on the list of shortest NBA players ever. Outside of basketball, Murphy showed dedication to his community, earning the J. Walter Kennedy Humanitarian Award in 1978. Here are a few noteworthy achievements: Nine-time NBA All-Star, Rookie of the Year in 2006, led the league in assists four times, led the league in steals six times and currently shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Career stats: 18.1 points, 5.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 0.9 . 9. Vintage British TV Shows 63%. 25. As the height shrinks the . In his first season, he averaged 19 points and 9.3 assists. Muggsy Bogues, 1987-2001: 5-foot-3 Earl Boykins, 1998-2012: 5-foot-5 T-3. Mel Hirsch (1946-47) 5 feet 6 inches. He has considered one of the shortest players in NBA history. #3, at Sportskeeda's list for top 10 shortest NBA player is Anthony "Spud" Webb. Jack "Soupy" Shapiro Height: 5'1" Position: Fullback Officially recognized as the shortest player to ever play in what would eventually become the NFL, Shapiro saw action in only one professional game. Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins, Mel Hirsch, Spud Webb, and Greg Grant may have been the shortest players in the history of the NBA, but they were still able to make a name for themselves. He took the honor and ran with it, reaching great heights in his first season as a Raptor by winning the Rookie of the Year award. He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 1975, but he only played in the league for about two years before moving on to coaching. Who Is The 3rd Shortest Nba Player Of All Time. He struggled in his first couple of seasons in the league but proved himself as time went on. Thats right. He also spent a season playing abroad for a more lucrative contract, suiting up for Virtus Bologna of the Italian A League. A post shared by NBA THROWBACK (@back2da_pastof_nba). Other great NBA short players under 5 ft, 9 in. He was also exceptionally good at defending: his agility and speed made everyone agree in affirming his skill in attacking the opponent ("mugging"). Unlike the other shortest NBA players, she is the one who got this achievement. And without a doubt, Muggsy is still the shortest NBA player ever to participate. Aleksandar Radojevic is a towering 7ft 3 in near the shortest NBA player ever since the history of the league. He may not have racked up many impressive career statistics, but he was an important trailblazer in what would eventually become the NBA. In fact, he used his short size to his advantage offensively and defensively. 1.4 Calvin Murphy. Top 10 Richest NBA Players of the World; Most Points In A Career In NBA History; Top 10 Shortest NBA Players Of All Times; Boxing. Speedy led his college team to a championship game before embarking on his NBA career. He averaged 23.3 points per game through 15 contests during that run while dishing out nearly seven assists per game. Standing at the height of the average man, Kay Felders 5 feet 9 inches stature didnt open any doors for him when it came to basketball. Wataru Misakas impact on the game of basketball was anything but small, though he stood at only 57. He set records with his free-throw percentage, averaged nearly 18 points per game and played for over a decade. The discrimination he faced as a Japanese-American was bigger than basketball, and his trailblazing accomplishments earned him an induction into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame and paved the way for other Asian-American basketball players like Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin. After he got retirement, he served as a coach for various schools in Tennessee and Virginia. Contrary to popular belief, height is not necessarily might in the NBA. He was a part of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. Boykins also became the shortest player in league history to score 30 points when he did so in 2004 for the Denver Nuggets, notching 32 points. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Muggsy Bogues (@therealmuggsy) There have been nine players in NBA history who stood at 5-foot-7 or shorter, led by the 5-foot-3 Muggsy Bogues. His shot at joining the league on a permanent basis seemed to come in 2003 when he was signed by the Detroit Pistons, but he was waived prior to the season. He registered at the North Carolina State University for graduation but ended up joining the NC State Wolfpack team. Here is a list of each team's shortest player: Atlanta Hawks Sharife Cooper, Lou Williams, Trae Young: 6-foot-1 Boston Celtics Payton Pritchard: 6-foot-1 Brooklyn Nets Jevon Carter, Patty Mills, Marcus Zegarowski: 6-foot-1 Charlotte Hornets Ish Smith: 6-foot Chicago Bulls Devon Dotson: 6-foot-2 Cleveland Cavaliers Some of the shortest players in NBA history are listed below with their height and professional career time frame. Regardless, he was still able to snag the 18th pick in 2009. Wilks had a solid 4-year college basketball career at Rice University averaging 20.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3 assists per game in his final year, but he still went undrafted in 2001, perhaps due to his height. Date of birth: September 27, 1953. You can't really have a list of the shortest basketball players without including the champion himself, Muggsy Bogues. The shortest NBA player ever is Check out the ranking of the 20 shortest NBA players in history. As a result, he was the all-time assists and . He played one season, and just 13 games, for the Boston Celtics in the 1946-47 season. Although he is only 5 feet 10 inches, his basketball skills completely outshined his height. Let us know in the comments below! Overall, he averaged about 3.3 points per game. One of the shortest NBA players, Malamed, passed away at age 64 from a heart attack on September 17, 1989. 3 Current Short NBA Players. Upon his selection as the 11th overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brandon began a steady 11-year career in the NBA, playing for three teams. Even in a game where height seems to be the easy ticket in, there are plenty of legends who stood up to the challenge of making it into the NBA regardless of their size. Muggsy Bogues is considered the shortest player ever to play in the NBA. He was later inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. Pro basketball is a tall mans game, theres no getting around it. The stories of these ten players will motivate and energize your soul to liven up your dreams. Two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas is currently listed as the shortest player in the NBA at 5-foot-9. Boykins played for ten different NBA teams over his 14-year career from 1999-2012. He was the first person of color in the Basketball Association of America and the NY Knicks number one draft pick in 1947. So let's go over the actual list of the shortest NBA players in the NBA history. Misaka only played in a few games and scored fewer than 10 career points, but he made his mark. 1. Strange Americana: Why Is Eggnog a Christmas Season Staple? The two of the tallest NBA players to appear in Basketball belonged to Romanias teamGheorghe Muresan and Sudans Manute Bol, who both towered at 77. Considered legendary by basketball fans, Murphy had all the skills necessary to be an all-star. Wataru Misaka broke more than height barriers when it came to basketball. Through hard work and dedication, they proved that heart is more important than height. Damon Stoudamire was a top pick in the 1995 NBA draft, being chosen seventh overall by the Toronto Raptors. ANSWER. No spam. His long NBA career is impressive enough given he stands nearly a foot shorter than many of his opponents, but whats even cooler is that Robinson sought out personal slam dunk training from the original himself: 57 Spud Webb. Muggsy Bogues 5-3. In 2019, twenty-six players were listed at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m) or taller. Think football players are big? At 5'3", Bogues is the shortest player in the history of the NBA. But can shorter players be any good at basketball? Monte Towe - 5'7". Webb actually led the NBA in free throw shooting percentage during the 1994-95 season, when he shot greater than 93% from the charity stripe. In case youve just realized your growth spurt might not come, dont ditch your jersey yet. He played in the Continental Basketball Association after graduating from New Mexico State University. As a result, he went undrafted and was forced to enter the NBA as a free agent. Basketball is the prerogative of tall players, for obvious reasons. So, if there was an award for the greatest undersized player of all-time, Iverson would win this award hands down. Besides his professional career in NBA, he also played for the squadrons officers basketball team. Who are the shortest NBA players? He improved his skills through intense training and became theNBA Slam Dunk Contest championin 1986. Isaiah Thomas definitely had to fight to get to the NBA. Tyus Edney was a tenacious, quick-footed point guard who now uses his basketball knowledge as a coach. 1.1 Muggsy Bogues. In 2009, he published a book called 94Feet and Rising: The Journey of Greg Grant to the NBA and Beyond.. During his 14-year career, Muggsy averaged 7.7 points and 7.6 assists. For reference, a guy like Kawhi Leonard has averaged around 6 for his career. He is the shortest Lakers till now. . Tyrone was called Muggsy by his fellow mates due to his birthplace Maryland. The average height of the basketball players used to be 67 from the era between 1985 and 2006. Bogues' presence in the NBA is still . Along with teammate David Thompson, Towe came up with the now-legendary move to combat the ban on dunking at the time. Let's take a look through the 10 shortest NBA players of all time. Shelley, a four-year veteran who . Hirsch held the honorable title of shortest pro basketball player ever for decades until Muggsy Bogues came along to take the throne, competing for just one season in the Basketball Association of America. The high-flying Webb who also contends for the coolest nickname on this list along with Muggsy burst through the stratosphere and grabbed everyones attention when he won the NBA Slam Dunk contest in 1986. Towe was underestimated for his height, but his exceptional performance in the court proved everyone wrong. Here are 25 NBA players that were all under six-feet tall. RANK. In fact, Robinson is a three-time Sprite Slam-Dunk Competition Champion, proving that height isnt always a factor when it comes to basketball prowess. Playing at just 57 and about 140 pounds, Grant was a Division III standout at The College of New Jersey before being drafted by the Phoenix Suns. There are a handful of short players that have great seasons and great careers, totaling big points and assist totals and many of them playing over 10 years in the league. Martin won the NBA championship five times and NBA All-Star 7 times. NBA sports is a game of tall people but on our list, we have the shortest players in the history of the NBA. The 5-foot-9 Shelley, 26, is in his first season as a Vikings cornerback, and some of these lessons he began learning two decades ago have been paying off lately. No matter what era he played in, he looked tiny. Despite his height, Bogues went on to become the Hornets' career leader in assists and steals. He spent two years in the Army after college and did his duty for the nation. You aint seen nothin until youve checked out the official heights of NBA players. Despite his significant lack of height, he was still drafted 12th overall in 1987 by the Washington Bullets and later played for several other teams. Not only is he officially the shortest NBA player of all time, standing over a foot shorter than pretty much everyone else on the court he was pretty damn good! Garner played collegiately at the University of Memphis but was never drafted by an NBA team. Allen Iverson is revered for his influence both on and off the court and is known for having dedication and skill in equal measure. Though he would have towered over Muggsy by a whole 2 inches, Boykins might grab the honor of being the smallest NBA player ever; he weighed only about 133 pounds in his playing days. Besides his professional career in NBA, he also played for the squadron's officer's basketball team. Who are your favorites among the top 10 Shortest NBA Players? Theres no mystery here. Muggsy Bogues: 5'5" (1987-2001) Earl Boykins: 5'5" (1998-2012) Mel Hirsch: 5'6" (1946-1947) Greg Grant: 5'7" (1989-1998) Red Clotz: 5'7" (1942-1989) Impact of height over the performance of NBA players He was eventually selected by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers the same night. The NBA was not a piece of cake for Criss but his road was a long one with hardships. In 1946, he joined the NBA (which was the Basketball Association of America at that time) and played for Boston Celtics. Muggsy is a legend, the guy was extremely athletic and could compete with guys a foot taller than him, imagine that. After five years, Klotz became the owner of the American Basketball LeaguePhiladelphia Sphas and called the Washington Generals. A Hall-of-Fame player, he might be even better known for his time off the court following retirement as an eccentrically dressed color commentator for the Houston Rockets. He finished in the top 10 in steals three times and in the top seven in assists in six straight seasons, from 1989 to 1995, playing for the Toronto Raptors, Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, and most notably, the Charlotte Hornets. When he was drafted by the New York Nicks in the 1947 draft, he became the first non-white player and first Asian player in the league. The now 57-year-old Bogues even played on the same squad as the second-tallest NBA player in history, Manute Bol. The 74-year-old still holds the second spot for the highest free-throw percentage in one single season at 95.8 percent in 1980-81, and he helped Houston make it all the way to the NBA Finals that season, where they lost 4-2 to the Boston Celtics. Men of Modest Height May contain affiliate links (what's this?). His short stature was difficult to ignore, and he went undrafted in 1991 despite his successful college career. Comment below! Wrapping Things Up: 5 Shortest Players to Ever Play in the NBA. After going undrafted in 2005, Lucas decided to take another route and joined the NBA Summer League. You know those jobber teams whose sole purpose is to play against (and usually lose to) the Harlem Globetrotters? Another note, Murphy was also a national champion in baton twirling, winning the title in 1963, and even taking the title of Texas State Mens Twirling champ during his playing career in 1977. Avery Johnson initially went undrafted in 1988 but went on to have a 16-year long career in the NBA. G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images. He has since moved on to play as a point guard for the Washington Wizards. Like other players on the list, Webb did not let his height get in the way and made his mark. If you want to help us grow, you can support us with a contribution. During his college years, he was seen as an NBA prospect and placed on the watch-list for the Naismith College Player of the Year, but he still barely made the NBA draft. He's had to prove himself every single day and show the world that he can stand next to giants as an equal. At that short. He is known as the shortest NBA player to dunk. Hirsch is one of the shortest players in the history of the NBA. Those skills led him to being part of the 1999 Spurs championship winning team and then a successful career as an NBA coach. His full name is actually Tyrone Curtis Bogues, so Muggsy is just a tremendous nickname and not his actual given name, but both his game, name, and stature stood out every time he was on the court. From 1947 to 1948, Misaka joined New York Knicks as a point guard. He played for 14-year in NBA and he is the most played athlete in the league with 5-foot-9 shorter. What is even more impressive, Spud Webb won one of these events in 1986. But there have been plenty of short-statured guys to take the league by storm, zigging when everyone else was zagging, getting low and weaving around their lumbering opponents to rack up points, steals and assists. Seven years after Criss graduated from college, in 1977, his long-awaited dream came true, and he was just 28 when he joined Atlanta Hawks as a guard. He completed his graduation in 1943 and became a navigator in the US Army Air Corps. The following list contains the names of the top 10 shortest basketball players who pushed themselves beyond the NBA limits and lived up their dreams. These players might be short, but that has not messed with their ability to play well. Claxtons nickname Speedy is pretty self-explanatory, but just to confirm, he was indeed quick on his feet. Red Klotz Another one who was gone in a flash, playing just 11 games total in the 1947-48 season, but for good reason, as he served during World War II. He also earned a pretty special distinction in his one season playing for the Chicago Bulls, as he became the fourth player to score at least 25 points and dish nine assists in a playoff game for the Bulls, joining legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, along with Derrick Rose. He was also named NBA's best defensive player in the 1950s. Team: 1975-1977 Denver Nuggets. Contents hide. Wataru Misaka Notable for more than just his height, as Misaka was the first-ever non-Caucasian and the first-ever Asian player in the NBA, unfortunately he only appeared in three games. For sure, though, Murphy was one hell of a player. Despite losing the 1941 title to Manhattan College, the New York Times commended his athleticism and performance on the court, and the 5-foot-6 guard played for the Boston . The shortest player in NBA history is Muggsy Bouges, who is only 1.60m tall. Many scouts believed Spud would end up playing overseas because of his height, but he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1985 and maintained a steady presence in the NBA, playing for a number of teams before retiring in 1998. 4 Shooting Guard - Allen Iverson. Khalid had a promising future as a professional basketball player, coming fresh off an NCAA championship-winning team prior to the draft. Like many players on this list, his height influenced his athletic career greatly, inspiring Grant to write an autobiography about his unlikely journey to the NBA. Even though Calvin Murphy is only 5 feet 9 inches, his presence on the court was huge. Lets get into to the list, in no particular order. "What drives him is when people say he can't do something because he's too short. Coaches and league execs doubted Jennings ability to play at the next level. At that short stature, short even by normal folks standards, much less professional basketball players, Bogues played 889 games across 14 seasons. He was selected 66th overall in the NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history, listed at 5'3". As we have always seen and heard, Basketball is played mainly by tall players. From 1983 to 1987, Muggsy played at Wake Forest University. Over 14 seasons in the NBA, Bogues averaged a stunning 7.6 assists per game. Let's get to the short list! The following nine men are all 5 feet, 7 inches or shorter and played point guard for an NBA or ABA team sometime between 1946 and the present day. Explore more crossword clues and answers by clicking on the results or quizzes. Hes listed as both five feet, six inches and five feet, seven inches, but were going with the NBA.com listing here. 9. Explore more crossword clues and answers by clicking on the results or quizzes. The 58-year-old Webb currently holds the title of president of basketball operations for the NBA G League team, the Texas Legends, which is just outside of his birthplace of Dallas, in Frisco, Texas. The closer you are to the net, the easier it can be to score, block and grab rebounds. In fact, height is the key factor considered in the selection of basketball players. And who are the shortest NBA players of all time? He later played professionally in Europe for a short time before embarking on a high-school and college coaching career. Earl Boykins is the second shortest NBA player of all time standing only 55. As the shortest player in NBA history, Tyrone Muggsy Bogues stood just three inches above five feet tall. Web Who was the shortest player ever to play in the NBA. He received the highest basketball honor in 1993 when he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He played a total of 814 NBA games from 1985 to 1998 and averaging 9.9 PPG, registering 8072 points, and 4342 assists throughout his career. Oh, Lebron James made another highlight reel dunk? His 5 feet 11 inches height hasnt stopped him from being an NBA legend, and he remains one of the most iconic football players of all time. He played the point guard position. Spudd Webb played a total of 814 games in the NBA and put his mark in the sports through his talent. His transition into the league was effortless, and he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in his first year. He was drafted 12th overall by the Washington Bullets in 1987 and played with the Hornets, Warriors, and Raptors. Here is a list of each teams shortest player: Atlanta Hawks. The second shortest player in NBA history, Earl Boykins was two inches taller than Muggsy at 5'5". Although he did face immense criticism, he still didnt lose hope, and his perseverance led him to the NBA. At 5'3, Muggsy Bogues is the shortest NBA player of all time. As a result, he was the all-time assists and . Spud. Instead, he began his professional career in the Continental Basketball Association, playing for the Scranton Apollos and then for the Washington Generals. And hey, if a 57 guy can win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, then theres absolutely nothing that your height should ever hold you back from. Are you enjoying this article? In 1975, he won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the years best college player under 6 feet, an honor he shares with many notable basketball players. Muggsy Bogues 5 3 Bogues, all of five feet, three inches, and just 136 pounds, is notoriously the shortest known player in NBA history. Webb played for several teams throughout his career, like Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Orlando Magic. A career journeyman, Grant posted up against players nearly twice his size for 9 years and 6 different NBA teams. Earl Boykins is a former American basketball player and is 2 inches taller than Tyrone Curtis making him the second shortest player in NBA history. Muggsy Bogues Earl Boykins Mel. A post shared by Muggsy Bogues (@therealmuggsy). At a modest 5 feet 6 inches, Melvin Hirsch was the shortest player in NBA history for nearly half a century. Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). Instead, he bounced from team to team on short contracts, spending the most time with the Denver Nuggets. Although he lasted only one season with 13 games, his presence in the game would leave an impact on the game's history. But that didn't stop him from straight up ballin'. He may not have had a lot of height, but major props to Towe for his ingenuity. His 5 feet 10 inches along with his leadership skills as a point guard earned him the nickname The Little General.. 15. (Made for KOT4Q) 85% STEVE BLAKE who was the worst player of all time random nba questions 85% TYRONE BOUGES Who had the shortest player of all time NBA chain game 85% MUGGSY BOUGES After an impressive rookie season in the G league, Wilks found himself on several different NBA teams for many years. Were not sure that really qualifies for the list, but officially, he did suit up in the NBA. 3. Anthony Spud Webb 5. Hirsch is one of the shortest players in the history of the NBA. Boykins was the youngest player to set foot on the basketball court. Boykins had his best year in 2006-07, when he averaged 14.6 points and 4.4 assists per game while playing for the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks. Only two players under six feet have ever won (well get to the other one soon), so it was a huge shock to the NBA world at the time when Spud busted out some truly insane moves to win in a landslide. He may not stack up height-wise to the real heroes like Muggsy Bogues and Spud Webb, but Paul has authored an absolutely dominant career despite standing a head shorter than most of his contemporaries. He was also exceptionally good at defending: his agility and speed made everyone agree in affirming his skill in attacking the opponent (mugging). Dino Martin Another 40s player who didnt stick around too long, just 92 games. Team di redattori che scrivono trascinati dalla passione per il basket e per il fantabasket di Dunkest. In 2006, Robinson became the second player under six feet to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and is now a three-time champion. The List Of The Shortest NBA Players Of All Time. Who are some great under-appreciated NBA players under six feet tall? A post shared by The 90s NBA (@the90snba). Klotz was the oldest living NBA world champion and died on 12th July 2014. He still ranks third in scoring for the teams he played for. After a few years of being traded and waived, Felder settled in the NBA G-League. Chris Paul continues to be a big name in basketball. Ty Lawson also stands at 5 feet 11 inches and plays the point guard position. At 5-foot-6, Mel Hirsch was the shortest pro basketball player for more than 40 years. Currently, he is serving as the head coach of the United Faith Christian Academy Basketball Team. 68%. Your email address will not be published. Garner was, however, able to play professionally in a number of places overseas, including France, Israel, Greece and Lithuania. Despite not being picked in the 1997 NBA draft, Brooks played well professionally in the minor leagues before beginning a decade-long career in the NBA. While some of the players on our list were fairly low-key, Webb had a long and illustrious career. Spud Webb is perhaps most well-known for winning the Sprite Slam Dunk contest in 1986. At 5-foot-9 Isaiah Thomas measures as the shortest basketball player currently in the. You cant have any list of incredible short athletes without including Muggsy. Even though he was a great player in college, he didnt play professionally until a few years later when he returned from the army after World War II. If Nate Robinson is the most popular short man of today's game, Webb . Not a bad career for one of the smallest guys on the court. It is currently topped by the 7-foot-7-inch (2.31 m) Romanian Gheorghe Murean, taken by the Washington Bullets as the number 30 overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft. As a matter of fact, he was always confident in his skills. Isaiah Thomas. Following his departure from playing basketball at Seton Hall, he went undrafted before signing with the Houston Rockets. Even after retirement, a few of them became coaches and training managers. Boykins is the first-ever shortest player in NBA history to score more than 30 points in a game. 10. Shortest NBA player of all-time The Big and Small of Things 85% MICHAEL JORDAN Who is the greatest NBA player of all time? (CP Photo/Kevin Frayer) As a 12th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, with a height advantage, many expectations were on Radojevic. Boykins was named the EuroChallenge champion in 2009 and is still considered one of the greatest basketball players in the United States. Thomas has continued to persevere and play, trying to stick in the NBA once again, most recently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets this season. Actually, he played 15 total professional seasons, as his first pro campaign was with the now-defunct United States Basketball League, playing for the Rhode Island Gulls (not a great name) in 1987. With a height of 57, Jennings did wonders with Basketball. For the draft, he was disadvantaged not only was his height, but also his known ankle injury. He started out as a point guard for North Carolina States 1974 NCAA championship team. Richest Boxers in the History of World Boxing; Top Female Boxers of All Time; Top 10 Greatest Boxers Of All Times; Tennis. Using his size to his advantage, Muggsy was considered a great passer and stealer. Thomas is known for a few things by now. East Tennessee State University inducted him into theirAthletics Hall of Fame in 2013. At a generous 5'11 and 165-pounds, Allen Iverson has frequently been labeled as the best pound for pound player in NBA history. For this piece, let's take a look at the 15 shortest players that have stepped on the NBA hardwood. At the time his playing career ended in 2001, Bogues was 12th on the all-time assists leaderboard and had the 13th best overall assists-to-turnovers ration in NBA history. Starting off the list is Earl Boykins the second shortest NBA player of all time. He was selected 5th overall in the 2005 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets. Nate Robinson stands at 5 feet 9 inches, but he showed his ability to reach outstanding heights when he soared over Dwight Howard in a slam-dunk competition. At the end of the article dont forgeto to read the contents connected to players height: shortest player of 2021, tallest of all-time and tallest of 2021. They were (and are again, after a brief hiatus) called the Washington Generals, and Klotz was a founding member who played in the games until he was 68 years old even winning once or twice! Spud Webb won the whole NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1986, and hes only 57! Towe was never taken aback by his height and is also the shortest NBA player to dunk. Its easy to see why height is a huge advantage in basketball. The height of the basketball hoop is exactly 10 feet high and players that are closer to the rim have an easier time with scoring around the basket, rebounding the ball and intimidating opponents.. 1. Shane Larkin had a rough start in his professional basketball career. From there, fame followed, as it usually did for dunk-champs back in the day. His teammate, David Thompson, admitted that Towe got a never-dying and never-give-up attitude to the team. The 33-year-old made a name for himself as a lightning-quick scorer for the Boston Celtics, earning two All-Star nods during his time and for playing through immense personal, emotional pain as well as physical pain, leading Boston to two playoff series wins just after learning of the tragic death of his sister in a car accident, and playing through a hip injury that eventually knocked him out of the Eastern Conference Finals. Johnson is most known for his talents as a head coach, leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance and three game-winning seasons. Isaiah Thomas (5 Feet 9 Inches) The 5-foot nine-inch point guard started his professional career by being selected by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA draft. We know who the shortest NBA players of today are, but there was a time when Mel Hirsch of the Boston Celtics, at 5-foot-6 was the smallest NBA player. Boston Celtics . When he finished his collegiate career, he was then the ACC all-time leader in steals and assists. Want to share your opinion? He gets the nickname Muggsy from a character portrayed in early 1940s and 50s films known as The Bowery Boys, about a group of characters set in New York City. Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history with 5 foot 3, Earl Boykins, Melvin Hirsh, Anthony Webb, Greg Grant, Louis Klotz, Wataru Misaka, Monte Towe, and Kieth Jennings, and Charlie Criss. Teams were wary to draft him due to his height, but in 2011, he was selected by the Sacramento Kings as the final pick. A post shared by Nate Robinson (@naterobinson). However, his game was sharp enough that he enjoyed a long career in the league. He is currently playing overseas. From 1946-47, Hirsch played 13 games in his . Technically only two centimeters taller than Hirsch, its safe to say Webb might have made the biggest name for himself out of everyone on this list. Former basketball player Louis Red was known for his eye-catching red hair and his short stature in NBA. Web Top 10 Shortest WNBA Player Shannon Bobbitt. 01. Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues Height: 5'3" You can't have any list of incredible short athletes without including Muggsy. There are a handful of other NBA players that stand at five feet, seven inches, so without lining them all up its hard to know for sure who was taller. Monte Towe Towe had just one season as well but got in 51 games for the Nuggets in 76-77. 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