Shortest Basketball Players In The NBA

Shortest Basketball Players In The NBA

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Here we are again at the peak of the NBA Playoffs, and the Knicks actually have a shot at sweeping (Update: The Knicks won the 2026 NBA Championship—wow!). The last time we were here, I was almost out of college. The time before that, I was just starting high school. And the time before that was nearly a decade before I was even born. As the years continue to pass, I still find myself thinking about the Chicago Bulls' dynasty of the increasingly distant 1990s. Time really does fly.

One thing that has remained constant throughout NBA history is how few shorter players have made it to the league. You're lucky if, at any given time, there are even two players who stand 5'11", let alone someone of average height. Considering the average NBA player stands around 6 feet, 6 inches—roughly eight inches taller than the average man in the United States—that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Because of this, when someone of average or below-average height does make it to the NBA, it's usually a big deal, and their talent is often exceptional.

INTRODUCTION

Here at The Lower View, we've compiled a list of the twelve shortest players in NBA history, ranked from shortest to "tallest." Along the way, you'll find each player's height, position, teams, career length, and some of the accomplishments that made them memorable. Read on!

Here are the 12 shortest players in NBA history, along with their height, teams, position, career length, and career highlights:

EXCEPTIONALLY SHORT NBA PLAYERS

1. MUGGSY BOGUES – 5'3"

Main Teams: Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors
Active Years: 1987–2001
Country: United States
Born: January 9, 1965

One of the most recognizable point guards in NBA history, Bogues enjoyed a 14-season career built on exceptional speed, court vision, and defensive intensity. He became the longtime floor general of the Charlotte Hornets, ranking among the franchise's all-time leaders in assists and steals. Renowned for his ball handling, passing, and relentless competitiveness, Bogues remains one of the most influential point guards of his era.

2. EARL BOYKINS – 5'5"

Main Teams: Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards
Active Years: 1998–2012
Country: United States
Born: June 2, 1976

After going undrafted, Boykins carved out a 13-season NBA career through his explosive scoring ability and relentless work ethic. He played for numerous franchises, enjoying some of his best seasons with the Denver Nuggets, where he became a dependable offensive spark off the bench. Known for his quickness, perimeter shooting, and fearless style of play, Boykins proved himself as one of the league's most productive reserve guards.

See Also: 25 Of The Shortest Football Players In The NFL

SHORT NBA PLAYERS

3. MEL HIRSCH – 5'6"

Main Team: Boston Celtics
Active Years: 1946–1947
Country: United States
Born: July 31, 1921

Hirsch made history as one of the shortest players ever to appear in the NBA's inaugural season with the Boston Celtics. A standout collegiate player before joining the professional ranks, he helped pave the way for future generations of smaller guards. Although his NBA career lasted just one season, his place in basketball history remains secure.

4. SPUD WEBB – 5'7"

Main Teams: Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic
Active Years: 1985–1998
Country: United States
Born: July 13, 1963

Webb enjoyed a successful 12-season NBA career highlighted by his electrifying athleticism and playmaking ability. He became internationally famous after winning the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, one of the league's most memorable All-Star Weekend moments. Throughout his career, Webb developed into a reliable point guard known for his speed, passing, and ability to create scoring opportunities.

5. GREG GRANT – 5'7"

Main Teams: Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers
Active Years: 1989–1996
Country: United States
Born: August 29, 1966

Grant reached the NBA after an outstanding collegiate career at Trenton State College, where he became one of the most accomplished players in Division III history. Over six NBA seasons, he contributed as a dependable point guard for several franchises, earning respect for his quickness, ball handling, and ability to run an offense at the professional level.

6. KEITH JENNINGS – 5'7"

Main Team: Golden State Warriors
Active Years: 1992–1995
Country: United States
Born: November 2, 1968

Jennings entered the NBA after a remarkable collegiate career at East Tennessee State, where he established himself as one of the nation's premier scorers. During three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, he showcased his shooting range, ball handling, and passing ability before continuing a successful professional career overseas.

7. WATARU MISAKA – 5'7"

Main Team: New York Knicks
Active Years: 1947–1948
Country: United States
Born: December 21, 1923

Misaka made history as the first player of Asian descent to compete in the modern NBA when he joined the New York Knicks in 1947. A standout at the University of Utah and a World War II veteran, he helped break racial barriers in professional basketball. His groundbreaking achievement remains one of the most important milestones in NBA history.

8. MONTE TOWE – 5'7"

Main Team: Denver Nuggets
Active Years: 1976–1978 (NBA)
Country: United States
Born: September 27, 1953

Towe earned national recognition at North Carolina State as the point guard who helped lead the Wolfpack to the 1974 NCAA Championship. He later played professionally in both the ABA and NBA with the Denver Nuggets, building a reputation as an intelligent floor general known for his passing, leadership, and defensive effort.

See Also: 10 Shortest Professional Soccer Players

AVERAGE HEIGHT, BUT SHORT FOR THE NBA

9. CHARLIE CRISS – 5'8"

Main Teams: Atlanta Hawks, San Diego Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks
Active Years: 1977–1986
Country: United States
Born: November 6, 1948

Criss reached the NBA after starring in the Continental Basketball Association, where his outstanding play earned him an opportunity with the Atlanta Hawks. Over eight NBA seasons, he established himself as a dependable point guard, valued for his quickness, scoring ability, and leadership while contributing to multiple playoff teams.

10. NATE ROBINSON – 5'9"

Main Teams: New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics
Active Years: 2005–2016
Country: United States
Born: May 31, 1984

Robinson enjoyed an 11-season NBA career highlighted by his explosive athleticism and scoring ability. He made league history as the first player to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest three times and became a fan favorite for his energetic style of play. Throughout his career, Robinson provided instant offense and memorable performances for several playoff teams.

11. ISAIAH THOMAS – 5'9"

Main Teams: Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics
Active Years: 2011–Present
Country: United States
Born: February 7, 1989

Thomas emerged as one of the NBA's premier scoring guards during his time with the Boston Celtics, earning two All-Star selections and an All-NBA Second Team honor. His outstanding 2016–17 season saw him finish among the league's leading scorers while guiding Boston to the top of the Eastern Conference. Known for his shot creation, scoring ability, and clutch performances, Thomas remains one of the most accomplished guards of his generation.

12. CALVIN MURPHY – 5'9"

Main Team: San Diego Rockets / Houston Rockets
Active Years: 1970–1983
Country: United States
Born: May 9, 1948

Murphy spent his entire 13-year NBA career with the Rockets franchise, becoming one of its greatest players and one of the league's most prolific scorers. A gifted shooter and exceptional free-throw specialist, he earned an NBA All-Star selection and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His impact on the Rockets organization continues to be recognized decades after his retirement.

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CONCLUSION

For the NBA, this list would have been impossibly brief if we limited it to players who were 5'7" and under, so we decided to make 5'9" the cutoff. While 5'9" is still roughly the average height for men in the United States, this is basketball we're talking about. More than twenty-five years after his final NBA season, Muggsy Bogues remains the ultimate outlier, and at the rate things are going, it's unlikely we'll see a wave of players in the very short range anytime soon.

The question remains: Does the NBA discriminate when it comes to height? Does being tall automatically make someone a better basketball player? Or are shorter players overlooked because of an inherent bias? Shorter athletes have carved out successful careers in sports like soccer and even American football, where seeing a shorter player reach the professional level, while uncommon, is not entirely unusual. I knew plenty of talented shorter basketball players in both high school and college, but then again, that wasn't the NBA. We'll leave it to you to decide. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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