Shortest Players to Play in the NBA
At just 5-foot-3, Muggsy Bogues is the shortest
player in NBA history. Despite his height, Bogues played 14 seasons
and finished his career with 6,726 assists.
Several other players under 5-foot-8 have reached the NBA, including
Earl Boykins, Spud Webb, Greg Grant, Keith Jennings and Monte Towe.
| Name |
Height |
Weight |
NBA Seasons |
Years Played |
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
| Career |
Per Game |
Career |
Per Game |
Career |
Per Game |
| Muggsy Bogues |
5'3" |
136 |
14 |
1987-2001 |
6,858 |
7.7 |
2,381 |
2.6 |
6,726 |
7.6 |
| Earl Boykins |
5'5" |
135 |
13 |
1999-2012 |
5,791 |
8.9 |
877 |
1.3 |
2,092 |
3.2 |
| Mel Hirsh |
5'6" |
165 |
1 |
1946-47 |
19 |
1.5 |
N/A |
N/A |
10 |
0.8 |
| Greg Grant |
5'7" |
140 |
7 |
1989-1996 |
767 |
2.8 |
248 |
0.9 |
751 |
2.7 |
| Keith Jennings |
5'7" |
160 |
3 |
1992-1995 |
1,090 |
6.6 |
248 |
1.5 |
614 |
3.7 |
| Herm Klotz |
5'7" |
150 |
1 |
1947-48 |
15 |
1.4 |
N/A |
N/A |
7 |
0.6 |
| Wat Misaka |
5'7" |
150 |
1 |
1946-47 |
7 |
2.3 |
N/A |
N/A |
0 |
0.0 |
| Monte Towe |
5'7" |
150 |
1 |
1976-77 |
130 |
2.5 |
34 |
0.7 |
87 |
1.7 |
| Spud Webb |
5'7" |
133 |
12 |
1985-1998 |
8,072 |
9.9 |
1,742 |
2.1 |
4,342 |
5.3 |
Shortest Player Records
Shortest player: Muggsy Bogues — 5'3"
Shortest player on this list with the most career points:
Spud Webb — 8,072 points
Most career assists: Muggsy Bogues — 6,726 assists
Highest scoring average: Spud Webb — 9.9 points per game
Longest NBA career: Muggsy Bogues — 14 seasons
Muggsy Bogues: The Shortest Player in NBA History
Muggsy Bogues stands alone as the shortest player in NBA history at
5-foot-3. Selected by the Washington Bullets in the 1987 NBA Draft,
Bogues became best known for his long tenure with the Charlotte
Hornets. His combination of speed, ball handling and passing allowed
him to overcome a massive size disadvantage against NBA competition.
Bogues finished his career with 6,858 points, 6,726 assists and
2,381 rebounds. His 14-season career remains one of the most remarkable
examples of a player succeeding at a position where height has
traditionally been considered a major advantage.
Other Notable Short NBA Players
Earl Boykins was only 5-foot-5 but developed into a
productive NBA scorer. He averaged 8.9 points per game over his career
and scored 5,791 points.
Spud Webb became one of the most famous undersized
players in league history. At 5-foot-7, Webb won the 1986 NBA Slam
Dunk Contest and finished his career with 8,072 points and 4,342
assists.
Wat Misaka appeared for the New York Knicks during
the BAA era. His brief professional career places him among the
shortest players in the early history of the league.
