NBA Minimum Height Overlooked: Profiling the 10 Shortest NBA Players
In the world of basketball, size is often thought to be a significant factor in success. However, the NBA has consistently proven that talent and skill can overcome any obstacle, including height. Here's a look at some of the shortest and tallest players in the league's history and the current roster.
Standing at 5'5", Earl Boykins made a name for himself in the NBA from 1999 to 2012, defying conventional wisdom about the importance of height in professional basketball. Similarly, Jacob Gilyard, currently the shortest player in the league at 5'8", is making waves with the Memphis Grizzlies. Gilyard, who signed for the team in September 2022, has become a regular player, leading them in three-point shooting percentage after 20 games.
On the taller end of the spectrum, players such as Aleksej Pokuševski and Cody Zeller stand at 7 feet tall, highlighting the league's wide height range. Historically, the shortest player ever in the NBA was Muggsy Bogues, standing at 5'3". However, no current player is that short.
Muggsy Bogues, who played in the NBA from 1987 to 2001, is the shortest NBA player of all time. Despite his small stature, Bogues was a formidable force on the court, claiming he can dunk, although there's no footage of him doing so in the NBA. Another 5'7" player, Calvin Murphy, is considered the best NBA player under 6 feet tall in history, having averaged more than 20 points per game in a season.
Isaiah Thomas, also 5'9", is another notable short player in the league. Thomas is the only player under 6 feet to score 28.9 points per game in a season. Spud Webb, who stands at 5'6", won the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, demonstrating that height doesn't always limit a player's ability to soar above the rim.
In recent years, the average NBA player height has increased, with the average height now being 6'6.5". However, there are still a few players who buck this trend. In the current NBA, there are just two players shorter than six feet tall: Jacob Gilyard and Isaiah Thomas. Interestingly, there are currently no players in the NBA who are 5'11" tall.
The Brooklyn Nets have shown their commitment to giving opportunities to smaller players, signing Gilyard to a two-way contract in March 2024 and re-signing Monte Towe to a two-way contract in April 2023.
As the NBA continues to evolve, it's clear that height is no longer the defining factor in a player's success. With players like Gilyard and Thomas proving that size doesn't limit talent, the future of the league looks bright and diverse.
Reading blogs about basketball, it's interesting to find discussions about the impact of height on players' success, yet the NBA demonstrates that talent and skill can outshine size. For instance, Jacob Gilyard, standing at 5'8", is performing well with the Memphis Grizzlies, leading them in three-point shooting percentage after 20 games. Similarly, the Brooklyn Nets are providing opportunities for smaller players, such as Gilyard and Monte Towe, who are shorter than six feet tall.
