Many assume basketball players are of remarkable height. Yet, are you curious about the shortest NBA players throughout history?
You might have heard about a talented Charlotte Hornets player, Muggsy Bogues, who is only 1.6m tall, but is there anyone else? The following names will likely blow you out. Keep scrolling down for further information!
Who Are The Shortest NBA Players In History? The Top 12
Muggsy Bogues, who is 1.6 m tall, is considered the shortest NBA player to date. The runner-up is Earl Boykins, at 1.65m. Other names include Mel Hirsch (1.68m), Greg Grant (1.70m), Keith Jennings (1.70m), etc.
Muggsy Bogues
Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in the National Basketball Association’s history. Despite his height, he had a notable and successful 13-year NBA career.
Indeed, he has held many Charlotte Hornets records regarding assists and career steals. Other achievements include 39 blocked shots and a 44-inch vertical leap.
Earl Boykins
Earl Boykins, who is 1.65 m tall, is the runner-up on this list. Even with a modest height, he left an unforgettable impression on basketball fans thanks to his outstanding performance.
Possibly, this can be his advantage. He can easily thread through other players while still keeping the ball.
Mel Hirsch
Mel Hirsch is 1.68m tall. Given his background, he was a former American professional player, one of the main contributors to the great performance of the Boston Celtics in the 1946-1947 season.
He held the record of the shortest player in the National Basketball Association for over 40 years until Muggsy Bogues secured the spot.
Greg Grant
At 1.70m, Greg Grant is one of the shortest players among the NBA teams. However, his strength and skill perfectly compensate for this limitation. He devoted himself to the NBA for about six years before leaving and running a sports academy now.
Keith Jennings
Keith Jennings is an American coach now. He had a glorious career in the past despite his modest height of only 1.70m. ẻ
He played for the Golden State Warriors for over 160 games and gained an average of 3.7 assists and 6.6 points in 18 minutes per game.
Red Klotz
Another renowned American coach is Red Klotz, also 1.70m tall. Red Klotz was a legend in the basketball field, yet not many people consider him like that.
They just remember a version of Red Klotz, who always boasted about his record of losing games during his coaching career.
Wat Misaka
This 5-foot-7-inch (equivalent to 1.70m) player of Japanese descent was unprecedented in basketball history at that time. He overcame color distinctions in professional basketball to become the first non-white player in the NBA.
Markquis Nowell
Markquis Nowell is 1.70m tall, nearly 30 centimeters behind the average height of NBA players. Regardless of this limitation, he still proves himself as a proficient player via several awards, such as the 2023 Bob Cousy Point Guard or the 2023 NCAA East Regional Most Outstanding Player.
Monte Towe
Another 1m70 player is Monte Towe. He showed all of his energy and agility in every game. Outstanding is the 1977 season when he scored 8 points and 2 assists, contributing to the victory of Denver’s home against Indiana.
Thanks to this win, Monte Towe was one of the most watched players in Denver’s basketball fanbase.
Spud Webb
Standing at 1.70m, Spud Webb is one of the shortest players in the NBA. However, he did great things during his 12-year professional basketball career, including a glorious victory in the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk championship.
Charlie Criss
Three centimeters higher than Spud Webb is Charlie Criss, a former American player. He played for the Scranton Apollos team before joining the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA championship. During his NBA career, Criss averaged 3.2 assists and 8.5 points each game.
Jacob Gilyard
The final on the list is Jacob Gilyard, at 1.73m. Before playing for the National Basketball Association, he was an all-time NCAA steals leader who broke the record of 385 in 2021. Now, he enjoys a great time at the Brooklyn Nets and promises to gain more achievements and set a new record.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, even the shortest NBA players can break records and gain glorious achievements in their careers. Notwithstanding the diminutive size, they all overcome this limitation and utilize it to boost their performance in professional basketball.
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