Shortest NBA Players: Top 10 Who Defied the Odds

In a league dominated by giants, the shortest NBA players often fly under the radar. The average NBA player height is about 6’7″, and towering centers like 7’7″ Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol illustrate just how atypical very short players are. In fact, only 27 players in NBA history have been listed at 5’9″ (175 cm) or shorter. Yet some of these undersized athletes turned their lack of height into an advantage, using speed, skill and heart to stand out.

So who is the shortest basketball player in NBA history? Meet Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues (5’3″), who tops our list at #1. Read on for the top 10 shortest NBA players ever – and how each one defied the odds to leave a mark on the game.

Top 10 Shortest NBA Players in History

1. Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues (5’3″) – Bogues is famously the shortest NBA player ever, yet he enjoyed a remarkable 14-season career from 1987 to 2001. In 889 NBA games, he tallied 6,858 points and an astonishing 6,726 assists. Bogues’ blazing quickness and court vision made him a defensive pest and playmaker for teams like the Charlotte Hornets. Remarkably, he once played alongside 7’7″ Manute Bol – a 28-inch height difference – proving that size was no barrier. Off the court, Bogues even popped up in pop culture; he had a cameo in the 1995 film Space Jam.
2. Muggsy Bogues (5’3″), the shortest NBA player ever, holding a basketball.
3. Bogues’ story shows heart. Despite pre-draft doubts, he was taken 12th overall in 1987 and became a Hornets legend. He led Charlotte in assists and steals, and still holds Hornets franchise records. Hall-of-Famer Calvin Murphy (5’9″) said Bogues “played the game better than many guys twice his size.” Off the court, Bogues later served as an assistant coach and community ambassador. Muggsy’s achievements proved you don’t need height to succeed – skill and determination can take you far.
4. Earl Boykins (5’5″) – Known for his lightning-quick speed, Boykins is the second-shortest player in NBA history at 5’5″. In 652 career games, he scored 5,791 points (about 8.9 PPG). A streaky scorer, Boykins was one of the most electrifying benches in the 2000s, thriving on fast breaks and mid-range jumpers. The History.com editors note that height-challenged players like Boykins “helped pave the way” after Webb and Bogues.
5. Earl Boykins (5’5″), one of the shortest NBA players, dribbles a basketball.
6. Boykins played for nine teams (Nets, Magic, Nuggets, Wizards, Bucks, etc.), often as the spark plug reserve. His quick crossover dribble and fearless drives routinely surprised taller defenders. When teammates or opponents first saw Boykins, they often said he “played bigger than he was.” In Orlando, Boykins even dropped 32 points in a game against Phoenix (1999) – a franchise record by a reserve. His career totals of 5,791 points and 877 assists rank him among the highest scorers and playmakers under 6 feet. Boykins’ success underscores that elite guard skills – speed, shooting and vision – can overcome a height disadvantage.

3. Mel Hirsch (5’6″) – In 1946, Mel Hirsch became one of the very first 5’6″ players in pro basketball, suiting up for the Boston Celtics. He appeared in 13 games (1946–47) – a brief career, but historic by its mere existence. At a time when the average pro was already around 6 feet, Hirsch showed that even at 5’6″ one could compete at the highest level. Unfortunately, Hirsch’s career was cut short (and he passed away young), but he left behind the legacy of being one of only a handful of sub-5’7″ pioneers in the pre-NBA era.
4. Anthony “Spud” Webb (5’7″) – Spud Webb stunned the basketball world by winning the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest despite his 5’7″ height. Webb used his 42-inch vertical leap to out-dunk 6’8″ Dominique Wilkins and even Michael Jordan in the finals. In the contest, Webb was “the shortest player to ever participate” up to that point, and he proved “size didn’t matter” with his soaring display.
5. Webb parlayed that fame into a solid NBA career (1985–1998). In 12 seasons with Atlanta and Sacramento, he averaged 9.9 PPG and earned a reputation as an inspiring underdog. Webb later became a NBA commentator and coach. His dunk contest triumph remains an iconic example of how skill and confidence can trump height. History.com notes that Webb’s success helped pave the way for shorter players like Boykins and Bogues.

5. Greg Grant (5’7″) – A gritty point guard, Greg Grant carved out a journeyman career in the 1990s. Listed at 5’7″, Grant played 274 NBA games for five teams (Phoenix, New York, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Washington, Denver). While not a star, he became known for his energy and passing. In those 274 games, he collected 751 assists, showing he could run an offense despite his size. Grant often played backup roles but contributed veteran leadership and defense. His perseverance – bouncing between the NBA and CBA – demonstrates that heart and playmaking made him competitive as one of the shorter guards on the floor.
6. Red Klotz (5’7″) – Red Klotz holds the distinction of being the shortest player to ever win an NBA championship. At 5’7″, Klotz played for the 1948 Baltimore Bullets and won the title that year (the only championship in Bullets history). More famously, he later spent decades as the coach of the Washington Generals, the perennial opponents of the Harlem Globetrotters. (He and his team famously lost almost every game to the Globetrotters, often by comedic design.) Klotz’s life shows versatility: from playing on a title team as the shortest player to a long coaching career in show basketball. The NBA list notes his status as champion and coach. In sum, Klotz defied height by achieving a ring and earning a place in basketball lore.
7. Wataru “Wat” Misaka (5’7″) – Wat Misaka made history in 1947 by becoming the first Asian-American (and first non-Caucasian) player in NBA history. Standing just 5’7″, he played three games for the New York Knicks in the 1947–48 season. Though his pro stint was brief, Misaka’s impact was profound. He broke the color and nationality barrier almost a decade before Willie O’Ree in hockey or Jackie Robinson in baseball. Misaka exemplified courage and talent: after playing college ball at Utah, he earned a spot in the BAA (the NBA’s precursor) during an era of segregation. His story is especially inspiring to short and minority players, demonstrating that opportunity in pro basketball was beginning to open up. The official history notes his pioneering status.
8. Monte Towe (5’7″) – Another 5’7″ guard, Monte Towe was a college star in the 1970s. As a point guard for NC State, he teamed with David Thompson to win the 1974 NCAA championship despite Towe’s height. He’s credited with being a “passing genius” in college – an assist machine who ran NC State’s up-tempo offense. Towe’s pro career was brief (51 games for Denver in 1976–77), but he excelled in the ABA (where he was even selected to the 1976 ABA All-Star Game). Impressively, at the 1976 ABA All-Star Game, the 5’7″ Towe competed against players a full foot taller and still made an impact. His accomplishment of winning college and ABA accolades at that stature shows how court vision and determination are critical for undersized players.
9. Keith Jennings (5’7″) – Nicknamed “Mister,” Keith Jennings was another diminutive point guard who made it to the NBA. The Warriors found him in college (University of Tennessee-Chattanooga), and he played three seasons (1992–1995) in Golden State. Jennings later became a college coach. On the court, he averaged 6.6 points and 3.7 assists in 164 games. Reflecting on his height, Jennings once said, “I always felt that I played bigger than I was”. That attitude – believing he could match taller opponents – helped him earn a roster spot and contribute as a backup NBA floor general. In interviews, he credited quickness and fearlessness for allowing him to compete, reinforcing that mindset is key for the NBA’s shorter players.
10. Charlie Criss (5’8″) – Rounding out the list is Charlie Criss, who at 5’8″ was still among the NBA’s shortest. Criss joined the Atlanta Hawks in 1977 at age 28, making him both the oldest rookie and the shortest player in the league at the time. (Sports Illustrated actually wrote, “the NBA’s smallest player and oldest rookie” about him.) He carved out a solid role as a backup guard in Atlanta and later San Diego. Criss averaged about 7 points per game over five seasons. After retiring, he became a coach, including stints in the WNBA. His journey – breaking in late and succeeding as an underdog – embodies perseverance. Criss’s story is a reminder that dedication can overcome the limitations that scouts might see on paper.

Why Being One of the Shortest NBA Players Isn’t a Barrier

It’s striking that these shortest NBA players share certain traits. Height was not a limitation for them because they maximized their strengths. Key factors in their success included:

• Blazing Speed: Many of these guards out-quicked taller opponents. Earl Boykins, for instance, was famous for his breakaway sprints and fast dribble, leaving defenders behind. High speed allowed them to attack the basket before shot blockers could react.
• Elite Ball Skills: Short players often develop exceptional ball-handling and passing. Muggsy Bogues set franchise assist records by seeing the floor better than anyone, while Monte Towe’s pinpoint passes powered NC State. Their playmaking made them play bigger than their stature.
• Fearlessness and Heart: These players all had incredible guts. Spud Webb’s fearlessness in the dunk contest, Keith Jennings playing bigger than his height, and Wat Misaka facing racial barriers all show they were mentally tough. They approached each game believing in themselves, which made opponents underestimate them at their peril.
• Skill and Fundamentals: Shooting, ball control, and basketball IQ were critical. Calvin Murphy (5’9″), though not on our top 10 list, famously said, “Don’t let the height fool you” – Murphy himself hit clutch shots for Houston. Likewise, Muggsy and Boykins had reliable jumpers and footwork. Because they couldn’t rely on dunking or shot-blocking, they perfected mid-range shots and steals instead.
• Work Ethic: Most had to prove themselves constantly. Charlie Criss worked in CBA leagues before getting his NBA chance at 28. Spud Webb spent a year in a minor league before Atlanta gave him a shot in 1985. Their dogged work ethic meant they were always ready to seize any opportunity.

These qualities show why being one of the shortest NBA players isn’t a disadvantage – it forces one to develop other strengths. Indeed, NBA record books highlight that even players 5’9″ like Hall-of-Famer Calvin Murphy thrived through hustle. In fact, Murphy is noted as the shortest player ever enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, proving that skill and heart count more than height.

Key Takeaways

• Height is Relative: Even at 5’3″, Muggsy Bogues played 14 NBA seasons. The list above shows no fixed cutoff – if you can play, you can play.
• Underestimated Underdogs: Each of these players proved critics wrong. Spud Webb literally jumped over his doubters in the dunk contest.
• Inspiration: Their stories inspire others. Short players seeing Muggsy or Boykins succeed can believe “if they can do it, so can I.”
• Team Value: These guards often thrived in team systems (Charlotte Hornets, NC State Wolfpack) because they contributed unique skills complementary to teammates.
• Broad Impact: Many went into coaching or community roles (Bogues, Criss, Jennings) – spreading the message that heart matters.

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Conclusion

These ten players prove that the court belongs to talent and willpower, not just height. From Muggsy Bogues to Keith Jennings, each defied the odds and earned respect in an overwhelmingly tall sport. Their stories remind us that underdogs can excel with skill, speed, and heart. 🔥 If you found these tales inspiring, share the article on social media to encourage others. 👇 Got a favorite short NBA legend or another surprising underdog to mention? Let us know in the comments below – we love hearing your thoughts!

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• 💬 Join the conversation: Who’s your favorite shortest NBA player, and why? Comment below!

Each of these shortest NBA players above turned perceived disadvantages into defining advantages. Remember, as Muggsy Bogues showed us, even at 5’3″ you can ball if you ball hard More content.

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