Who is the shortest NBA player in history? Here's the top 10 list
There are myths that one has to be 6 feet and above to play in the National Basketball League. Well, that is certainly not true. Although height is a factor, especially when taking shots, it takes skill and talent to have a successful career in the league like many basketball stars under 6 feet. So, who is the shortest NBA player?
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The average height of NBA players is 6 feet and 7 inches. However, players on the opposite end of the size spectrum have piqued our curiosity. Most fans can relate to the smaller-statured, inspiring people worldwide to believe that they, too, can succeed in a game of giants.
Who is the shortest NBA player?
Among the shortest players in the NBA have shown what they lack in height, they cover for it with talent. They are responsible for some of the most significant achievements for their teams in the league. They include:
1. Muggsy Bogues
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Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues, born on January 9, 1965, is an American former basketball star. Bogues played point guard for four teams during his 14-season career and is the shortest NBA player ever.
So, how tall is the shortest NBA player? Standing at 5 feet and 3 inches, Bogues was in the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, and the Charlotte Hornets for ten seasons. After his NBA career, he became the head coach of the now-defunct Charlotte Sting of the WNBA.
2. Earl Boykins
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Earl Antoine Boykins is a former American professional basketball player and the second shortest player in the NBA. He stands at 5 feet, 5 inches and weighs 60 kilograms.
He was the head coach for the Douglas County High School boys varsity basketball team. He is now serving as an assistant coach for the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Miners.
3. Mel Hirsch
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Melvin M. Hirsch was an American professional basketball player. He was in the Boston Celtics of the Basketball Association of America, which would later become the National Basketball Association, for 13 games in the 1946–47 season. His height was 5 ft 6 in or 1.68 metres.
4. Spud Webb
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Michael Anthony Jerome "Spud" Webb is an American former professional NBA player. Webb is known for winning a Slam Dunk Contest despite being one of the shortest players in NBA history, is listed at 5 ft 6 in tall.
Most scouts predicted that Webb would end up joining either a Europe team or Harlem Globetrotters because of his height. However, Webb was drafted in the 4th round of the 1985 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. After the guard-loaded Pistons released Spud, his agent, Bill Blakeley arranged for a tryout with the Atlanta Hawks where Spud beat out several seasoned guards to make the opening roster.
5. Greg Grant
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Gregory Alan Grant is a retired American professional basketball star. Growing up in a broken home, Grant worked in a fish market while in high school. After being discovered at the local playground, the 5'7" point guard enrolled at Trenton State College in 1986 and led Division III in scoring in 1989.
6. Keith Jennings
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Keith Russell "Mister" Jennings is an American basketball coach who was formerly in the National Basketball Association. Jennings, a 5'7" (1.70 m) tall point guard, attended East Tennessee State University for four academic years (1987–91). Jennings won the 1991 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, given to the outstanding collegiate senior six feet tall and under, and was a second-team consensus All-American.
7. Red Klotz
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Louis Herman "Red" Klotz also makes it to the list of short basketball players. He was a National Basketball Association point guard with the original Baltimore Bullets. He was best known for forming the teams that play against and tour with the Harlem Globetrotters: the Washington Generals and the New York Nationals. He stood at 5 feet and 7 inches. Unfortunately, he passed away on July 12 2014, in Margate City, New Jersey, United States.
8. Wat Misaka
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Wataru Misaka was an American professional basketball star. A 5-foot-7-inch point guard of Japanese descent, he broke a colour barrier in professional basketball by being the first non-white and the first player of Asian descent to participate in the National Basketball Association.
9. Monte Towe
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Monte Corwin Towe is an American basketball coach and retired player. He was the starting point guard on North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA championship team. In addition, he played varsity baseball for NC State, earning All-ACC recognition in basketball and playing on conference championship teams in both sports. In 1975, the 5'7" (1.7 m) Towe received the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the year's best college player under 6 feet (1.8 m) tall.
10. Charlie Criss
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Charles Washington Criss, Jr. is an American former professional basketball player born in Valhalla, New York. A 5'8" guard from New Mexico State University, Criss began his professional career in the Continental Basketball Association, earning league Most Valuable Player honours with the Scranton Apollos in 1976, next playing for the Washington Generals.
He joined the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association the following year and participated for eight seasons in league with the Hawks, San Diego Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks. Criss was the league's shortest active player when he entered the NBA.
Who is the shortest NBA player today?
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Markus Howard, the shortest NBA player now stands at 5 feet and 10 inches, weighing 175 pounds. He plays for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association on a two-way contract with the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League.
Facundo Campazzo is also the shortest active NBA player. At the height of 5 ft 10 in tall, he plays at the point guard position. He is also a member of the senior Argentina national basketball team. He, however, weighs 195 pounds.
The shortest NBA player, Bogues, has proven that it takes more than height to have a successful career in basketball. He is an inspiration to all the upcoming basketball payers below 6 feet.
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