The Top 5 Shortest People to Ever Play in the NBA

The Top 5 Shortest People to Ever Play in the NBA

Basketball is a game where height is often an advantage. However, there have been some exceptions to this rule throughout the years. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 shortest people to ever play in the NBA.

Muggsy Bogues

Muggsy Bogues is widely considered to be the shortest player in NBA history. Standing at just 5’3″, Bogues defied all odds and had a successful career in the league. He played for 14 seasons and is perhaps best known for his time with the Charlotte Hornets.

Despite his height, Bogues was an incredibly skilled player. He was quick on his feet and had excellent passing and ballhandling skills. Bogues was also an excellent defensive player, often using his speed and agility to keep up with taller opponents.

Spud Webb

Spud Webb is another player who is known for his height (or lack thereof). Standing at 5’7″, Webb is best remembered for his incredible performance in the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he defeated the much taller Dominique Wilkins.

Webb played for 12 seasons in the NBA and was known for his speed and athleticism. He was a reliable scorer and was particularly effective from the three-point line.

Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas is the third shortest player in NBA history, standing at just 5’9″. Despite his height, Thomas had an impressive career in the league, playing for 9 seasons and earning two All-Star selections.

Thomas was known for his scoring ability and his ability to create shots for himself and his teammates. He was a fearless player and never let his size hold him back.

Earl Boykins

Earl Boykins is another player who managed to succeed in the NBA despite being just 5’5″. Boykins played for 13 seasons in the league and was known for his speed and agility.

Boykins was an effective scorer and also had strong ballhandling skills. He was a valuable player coming off the bench and was often called upon to provide a spark for his team.

Mel Hirsch

Mel Hirsch is the fifth shortest player in NBA history, standing at just 5’6″. He played for two seasons in the league in the 1940s and was known for his incredible speed and agility.

Hirsch was an effective scorer and was particularly skilled at getting to the basket. He was a tenacious defender and often guarded the opposing team’s best player.

Conclusion

While height is certainly an advantage in basketball, these players prove that it’s not everything. Muggsy Bogues, Spud Webb, Isaiah Thomas, Earl Boykins, and Mel Hirsch all managed to succeed in the NBA despite their lack of height, proving that skill, determination, and hard work can overcome any obstacle.