In the world of professional basketball, height often seems to dictate success on the court. However, the NBA odds has seen its fair share of players who defy this stereotype, proving that skill, agility, and determination can outweigh physical stature.
Among these remarkable athletes are the shortest players to ever grace the hardwood. These pint-sized powerhouses have not only made significant contributions to their teams but have also inspired countless fans around the globe, showcasing that passion and talent can transcend physical limitations.
As we delve into the stories and careers of the shortest NBA players, we celebrate their unique journeys and the indelible marks they’ve left on the game.
10. Charlie Criss – 5’8″
Charlie Criss is a former American professional basketball player and coach, best known for his eight-season tenure in the National Basketball Association (NBA) during the 1970s and 1980s. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, he was among the shortest players in the league at that time.
After going undrafted in the 1970 NBA Draft, Criss began his professional career in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA), where he earned Most Valuable Player honors in 1976 and 1977. He joined the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks in 1977, making his debut on October 22, 1977. Throughout his NBA career, Criss played for the Atlanta Hawks, San Diego Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 8.5 points and 3.2 assists per game.
Notably, during the 1980 NBA playoffs, he averaged 14 points and 4.4 assists per game, contributing significantly to the Hawks’ postseason performance.
9. Keith Jennings – 5’7″
Keith “Mister” Jennings is a former professional basketball player and current coach. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he played as a point guard. Jennings had a distinguished college career at East Tennessee State University, where he was a consensus second-team All-American in 1991 and won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award. He led the NCAA Division I in three-point field goal percentage that year, shooting 59%.
After going undrafted in the 1991 NBA Draft, he played three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, appearing in 164 games and averaging 6.6 points and 3.7 assists per game. Following his playing career, Jennings transitioned into coaching, serving as the head women’s basketball coach at Lees-McRae College and later as the head coach at Culpeper County High School, his alma mater.
8. Monte Towe – 5’7″
Monte Towe is a former American professional basketball player and coach, renowned for his exceptional skills as a point guard. Born on September 27, 1953, in Marion, Indiana, Towe stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Towe played college basketball at North Carolina State University (NC State), where he was instrumental in leading the Wolfpack to the NCAA Championship in 1974. He earned All-ACC honors in 1974 and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
After college, Towe was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1975 NBA Draft but chose to play in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the Denver Nuggets. He played for the Nuggets during the 1975-1976 and 1976-1977 seasons, appearing in 26 games and averaging 2.8 points and 1.7 assists per game.
Towe transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach at NC State under Norm Sloan from 1978 to 1980. He continued with Sloan at the University of Florida from 1980 to 1989. Towe later became a head coach in various leagues, including the Global Basketball Association and the Continental Basketball Association. He also served as the head coach at Chipola Junior College and the University of New Orleans.
Towe’s contributions to basketball, both as a player and coach, have been recognized with his induction into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
7. Wataru Misaka – 5’7″
Wataru “Wat” Misaka was a pioneering American professional basketball player of Japanese descent, celebrated as the first non-white and first Asian American to play in the NBA. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, he played as a point guard.
Misaka was drafted by the New York Knicks in the seventh round of the 1947 Basketball Association of America (BAA) Draft, the precursor to the NBA. He made his NBA debut on November 13, 1947, becoming the first non-white and first Asian American to play in the league. Over the course of his brief professional career, Misaka appeared in three games, averaging 2.3 points per game.
Misaka’s groundbreaking role in professional basketball was largely overlooked during his lifetime. However, his story gained renewed attention in the 2010s, especially following the rise of Asian American players like Jeremy Lin.
6. Louis Klotz – 5’7″
Louis Herman “Red” Klotz was an American professional basketball player, coach, and team owner, best known for his association with the Harlem Globetrotters. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, Klotz was a standout point guard with a remarkable two-handed shot.
After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Klotz played professionally for several teams. During the 1947-48 season, he was a member of the Baltimore Bullets, champions of the Basketball Association of America, a forerunner of the NBA. At 5 feet 7 inches, he remains the shortest player in a championship team in the NBA or any of its predecessors.
Klotz is perhaps best known for his role with the Harlem Globetrotters. He formed the Washington Generals, a team that served as the Globetrotters’ opponents in thousands of games over several decades. Klotz was involved in over 19,000 games against the Globetrotters as a player, coach, and owner. In recognition of his contributions, the Globetrotters retired his jersey number, making him the first non-Globetrotter to receive this honor.
Klotz’s enduring impact on basketball, particularly his role in popularizing the sport through his association with the Harlem Globetrotters, has left a lasting legacy.
5. Greg Grant – 5’7”
Greg Grant is a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Known for his quickness and ability to distribute the ball, Grant was a point guard. He was not a major star but had a solid career, primarily playing as a backup point guard.
Grant played for several NBA teams during his career, including the Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons. His career in the NBA spanned from 1989 to 1994. Grant is perhaps best known for his time with the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets, where he played for a couple of seasons and had averages of 3.4 PPG, 1.1 RPG, and 3.4 APG (PHI), and 1.9 PPG, 0.7 RPG, and 2.4 APG (DEN), respectively.
While his time in the league was relatively short, he is remembered for being a gritty, undersized player who worked hard to contribute. After his time in the NBA, he also played professionally overseas and in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA).
4. Anthony “Spud” Webb – 5’7”
Anthony “Spud” Webb is a former professional basketball player best known for his incredible leaping ability and his victory in the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Standing at just 5 feet 7 inches, Webb is one of the shortest players to ever compete in the NBA, but he became a legend for his aerial acrobatics and dunking prowess.
Webb played in the NBA from 1985 to 1998. He is most famous for his time with the Atlanta Hawks, where he played the majority of his career alongside Dominique Wilkins. He also had stints with the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic. Despite his smaller stature, Webb was known for his exceptional athleticism, speed, and quickness.
In the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest, Webb famously beat Dominique Wilkins, his teammate on the Hawks and one of the most well-known dunkers in NBA history. Webb’s victory remains one of the most iconic moments in Dunk Contest history, with his surprising, powerful dunks given his height.
Though he wasn’t a star in terms of scoring, Webb had a solid career as a point guard, known for his leadership and playmaking. He played for 12 seasons in the league, and had career averages of 9.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, and 5.3 APG while shooting at a respectable 45.2 FG%. Webb was a beloved figure for his hard work, resilience, and the sheer excitement he brought to the game despite his size, and most NBA betting figureheads would have loved to have him be part of their fantasy draft teams.
3. Melvin Hirsch – 5’6”
Melvin Hirsch is a relatively obscure figure in NBA history. He played in the NBA during the 1940s for the Philadelphia Sphas. He is not widely remembered in NBA history, and his career was relatively short compared to other notable players.
Hirsch played as a guard and is remembered more for his involvement in the early days of professional basketball. Due to the era he played in, there is limited information available on his specific contributions to the league. During the 1 year Hirsch played, he averaged 1.5 PPG, and 0.8 APG in 13 games.
His time in the NBA (or BAA) came before the league was fully established, and the competition and player recognition were not as widespread as they would become in later decades. That said, Hirsch gets on the NBA record books as one of the shortest players to ever play the game at 5 feet 6 inches.
2. Earl Boykins – 5’5”
Earl Boykins is a former professional basketball player known for his impressive career in the NBA despite his stature. At just 5 feet 5 inches tall, he is one of the shortest players ever to play in the league. Despite his size disadvantage, Boykins became a respected point guard, using his quickness, scoring ability, and leadership on the floor.
Boykins played in the NBA from 1998 to 2012 and had a long and successful career. Over the course of his time in the league, he played for several teams. This included the Nets, Cavaliers, Magic, Nuggets, Warriors, Bobcats, and the Bucks.
He had several standout seasons, namely with the Denver Nuggets. During his time with the Nuggets, Boykins played a significant role as a bench player and occasional starter.
Boykins averaged a career-high 14.6 points per game in the 2004-05 season with the Nuggets. During his 13 years in the NBA, he averaged 8.9 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, and shot 41.7 FG%.
Though not a superstar, Boykins had a solid NBA career and earned the respect of his peers.
1. Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues – 5’3”
Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues is a former NBA player, regarded as one of the best point guards in the history. At 5 feet 3 inches tall, he is the shortest player ever to play in the NBA.
Muggsy Bogues played in the NBA from 1987 to 2001, spending most of his career with the Charlotte Hornets. He also had stints with the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors.
Despite his height disadvantage, Bogues was known for his incredible quickness, court vision, defensive tenacity. His intangibles warrant him to be one of the worthy NBA picks during his heyday. He was an excellent ball handler and playmaker, often setting up his teammates with impressive assists. His speed and agility allowed him to navigate through taller defenders.
Bogues was a key figure for the Charlotte Hornets throughout the 1990s. He helped the team to several playoff appearances and becoming one of the franchise’s most beloved players. He was also a standout defender for his size, often using his speed and tenacity to guard bigger players. In addition, he had a solid scoring ability, particularly with his ability to hit mid-range jump shots.
Bogues averaged 7.7 PPG, 7.6 APG, and 1.5 SPG over his 14-year career. He exemplifies of how skill and heart can overcome size limitations in professional basketball.
Final Thoughts
The list of diminutive NBA players showcased how they made a name for themselves. NBA players who are shorter in stature seem to carve a niche in the steals and assists departments.
If you are keen on betting on shorter players, Betting News offers NBA tips to maximize your bets. This way, it can help you decide whether rolling the dice for them is worth it or not.