Shortest NBA Players
When you think of NBA players and the stereotypical stars of the NBA, you likely think of big, tall players. The best players in high school were likely the tall, athletic types.
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There is an important role to be played by shorter players though. There have been plenty of short stars in the sport, a lot of whom have played point guard. Point guards need to be able to get up and down the court and rely on their passing.
Some of these players aren’t super short when compared to national averages, but they are short for basketball players, especially when you consider the number of 7ft players in the league. There are some names on this list who have built quite a reputation for themselves.
Shortest Players in NBA History
Muggsy Bogues – 5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Muggsy Bogues holds the title of the shortest player in NBA history, standing just 5 feet 3 inches tall. Despite his stature, many have said that Bogues was a giant on the court. He was particularly recognized for his energy.
Over a 14-season career, he became a key figure for the Charlotte Hornets and is remembered for his exceptional passing skills as well as his ability to travel from one end of the court to another. Bogues dished out more than 6,000 assists in his career and remains a fan favourite for his ability to outmaneuver much taller opponents and his reliability over such a long career. At the height of his career, he was averaging roughly 10 assists and only two turnovers per game, so it is easy to see what an important part he had to play.
Earl Boykins – 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Earl Boykins was just 5 feet 5 inches but carved out an impressive 13-season career in the NBA. Known for his lightning-fast speed, Boykins became a valuable spark plug for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards.
In 2004, he even set a record as the shortest player in NBA history to score 30 or more points in a game. An odd statistic, but nevertheless an impressive one. Boykins is still involved in the sport as a coach at the UTEP Miners men's basketball team.
Spud Webb – 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Sometimes there are characters in this sport remembered long after their career. Spud Webb is one of the most interesting players in NBA history, not just due to his height of 5 feet 6 inches but for his crazy athleticism. Webb stunned the basketball world in 1986 by winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, defeating much taller competitors with gravity-defying slams. He managed an elevator two-handed double pump dunk as well as some other impressive moves. He’s even coached other pros taking part in dunk contests since retiring as a player.
Boasting an impressive 12-year NBA career, he played for teams such as the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings, leaving an indelible mark as a high-flying playmaker. His success on the court shattered stereotypes about what small players could achieve in the game. Plenty of people remember Webb. For a time, he was very popular in advertising as he was an appealing character.
Mel Hirsch – 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Mel Hirsch was one of the earliest examples of a shorter player making it to the NBA. At 5 feet 6 inches tall, Hirsch played one season for the Boston Celtics in 1946-47, back when the league was still new. Hirsch’s journey is a lesser known yet significant part of basketball history.
In addition to being a top basketball player, Hirsch served in the US Army Air Corps as a Navigator on C-47 aircraft. He was in the 13th Troop Carrier Squadron in the South Pacific and unsurprisingly he was a key member of the squadron's officers basketball team. He sadly died in the 1960s when he was just 47, so he isn’t often talked about in modern terms, but he deserves to be.
Greg Grant, Keith Jennings and Red Klotz – 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Several players standing at 5 feet 7 inches have graced the courts over the years. Greg Grant brought relentless energy to the court during his seven-season career in the late 1980s and 1990s. Keith Jennings made a name for himself as a sharp-shooting point guard in the early 1990s with the Golden State Warriors. Red Klotz was famous for his role with the Harlem Globetrotters, but he also played in the NBA. Being shorter than the average basketball player had no negative impact for these guys!
Shortest Current NBA Players (2023–24 Season)
During the 2023-24 season, these were the shortest players in the NBA:
Jacob Gilyard – 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Jacob Gilyard is one of the shortest active players in the league. At 5 feet 8 inches, Gilyard has an incredible quickness that a lot of bigger players can’t match, and a knack for creating opportunities on offense. His playmaking skills have helped him stand out and attract some attention playing for the Brooklyn Nets, but he has been traded a lot in his relatively short career.
Markquis Nowell – 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Markquis Nowell is another 5-foot-8 guard who has turned heads with his dribbling skills and fearless style of play. Coming into the NBA as an undrafted player, Nowell has proven that his basketball IQ and competitive spirit can outweigh any physical disadvantage. He’s on the books at the Toronto Raptors and has played for some affiliated teams too.
Isaiah Thomas – 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Isaiah Thomas stands at 5 feet 9 inches, which is the average height in the US, although not for basketball. He is one of the most accomplished short players in today’s NBA. A two-time All-Star, Thomas reached the pinnacle of his career with the Boston Celtics, where his scoring ability and clutch performances made him a household name before he eventually moved to the Suns.
Kennedy Chandler, Keifer Sykes, Jordan Walker and McKinley Wright IV – 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Standing just shy of six feet, these players are not short guys in general. Walking past them on the street, you wouldn’t think they were short but basketball can be something of a land of the giants. Kennedy Chandler is known for his defensive prowess, while Keifer Sykes and McKinley Wright IV have made names for themselves as effective playmakers. Jordan Walker is also a regular scorer and a promising player who is just 25 and may have several years ahead of him.
Conclusion
These players are proof that height does not have to be an obstacle when playing basketball. Some positions and styles are even well-suited to shorter people. Muggsy Bogues often ran circles around taller opponents and there have been many excellent players who have been well under 6ft.
When coaches and scouts are looking for top players and prospects, they will consider height. If someone is 7ft, they are more likely to be drafted and to be recognized at a young age. However, this doesn’t mean that people who are under 6ft can’t be pros. By cleverly focusing on a certain style of play and the mobile athleticism aspects of the game, some players even use it as an advantage.
FAQs
Who is the shortest NBA player currently?
Jacob Gilyard and Markquis Nowell are the shortest players in the current NBA, both standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall.
Who in the NBA is under 6 feet?
Quite a few players are under 6 feet tall, including many point guards. The list includes Isaiah Thomas, Jacob Gilyard and Markquis Nowell, who are all under 6 feet tall and playing in the current NBA.
Could Muggsy Bogues dunk?
Despite his extraordinary athleticism, Muggsy Bogues never dunked in an NBA game. However, he reportedly could dunk during practice sessions.
Who is the 5-foot-4 basketball player?
When people ask about a 5-foot-4 player often associated with basketball, they usually think of Tyrone Bogues (Muggsy), but his official height is listed as 5 feet 3 inches.
Who was the smallest NBA player?
Muggsy Bogues is the smallest NBA player ever, standing at 5 feet 3 inches tall. This is a record that might never be beaten.
Who was the shortest NBA player to dunk?
Spud Webb, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, famously dunked during games and even won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1986.