10 Shortest NBA Players to Ever Play in the League

In basketball, it is always assumed that being tall is a quintessential necessity to be a successful basketball player. Although true in several aspects, there have been several short NBA players over the course of decades who left behind a great impact and legacy in the league.

Die-hard hoop fans know that height seldom matters when the passion for the game exists. Players being shorter than 6 feet tall have inspired the legends of today, such as Stephen Curry. This article explores the lives and careers of all such short kings, whose contributions to the league's history make them legends of the game.

10 Shortest NBA Players

Whenever someone has to picture an NBA player, we would imagine them to be taller than average and to be extremely athletic beyond their height. However, there are players who combine their skills and tenacity as players to compensate for their height. Some of them have established themselves as a few of the greatest point guards in league history. Let's dive into reading about the 10 greatest short players in league history.

Ranking Short NBA Players

In a league that is dominated by giant players, some smaller players have defied the odds and made an indelible mark in the NBA. They have shown that heart, will, and ability can beat physical size.

#10. Allen Iverson (6 ft)

When Allen Iverson was drafted into the league by the Philadelphia 76ers, he had taken the league by storm. A cultural phenomenon and an icon, Iverson combined his bag of skills to break the ankles of some of the tallest players in the league. Iverson ranks 14th in steals, 28th in points, and 52nd in assists in the NBA, having averaged 26.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game throughout his career.

Iverson's unique style and skill as a player resonated well with the young generation. Although Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal were breaking records and winning chips, every kid wanted to be like Iverson. He won the MVP honors in 2001, becoming the shortest player ever to win the award in league history.

#9. Chris Paul (6 ft)

Chris Paul, aka CP3, is the definition of a textbook point guard on the floor. Paul proved himself as an impact player since his debut season in the league, very soon establishing his mark as a floor general. Fans call CP3 the ‘point god,' given the way he skillfully runs offense for his team on the court.

Paul has achieved almost every major accolade as a player, except a championship. With 11 All-NBA selections, 12 All-Stars, seven All-Defensive First Team selections, and two gold medals, CP3 is a certified future Hall of Famer. He is currently the second oldest active player in the league, only behind LeBron James.

#8. Damon Stoudamire (5 ft 10in)

Damon Stoudamire defied all odds by winning the Rookie of the Year award, despite standing shorter than most of his league counterparts. As a 5'10" guard, Stoudamire was a pure point guard, who could run the floor with his impeccable court vision and playmaking skills. Nicknamed the ‘Mighty Mouse,’ Stoudamire's career was no less than commendable. He played for teams such as Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers to set a mark with his game.

#7. Michael Adams (5 ft 10in)

Michael Adams was one of the most elite three-point shooters, best known for his offensive prowess. Adams is remembered for his time playing for the Denver Nuggets, where he set the record of making the most three-pointers in a single season by a point guard. He was one of the most lethal shooters of his time, which cements his name among some of the greatest players in the league history.

#6. Isaiah Thomas (5 ft 9in)

Isaiah Thomas' peak is still talked about to this day. The 5'9" point guard had an unfathomable rise to glory between 2015 to 2017, garnering All-NBA and All-Star selections. In fact, Thomas is the only player to finish top five in MVP rankings as a player under six-feet height. Unfortunately, Thomas' career was derailed due to injuries. However, the TD Garden's hardwood will never forget him leading the Boston Celtics to a 53-29 campaign in 2016-17.

#5. Yuki Kawamura (5 ft 8in)

Yuki Kawamura is currently taking the NBA by a storm. Though Kawamura was undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, he was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-way contract. So far, Kawamura has formed an incredible chemistry with Ja Morant and is touted to be a clinical point guard in the league in the near future.

#4. Spud Webb (5 ft 7in)

As a 5'7" player, Anthony Jerome Webb, aka, Spud Webb's memory is still etched into some of the diehard followers of the league, especially for his dunk performance in the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest. Webb defied expectations, showing peak athleticism and talent facing his taller counterparts. He is one of the most iconic members to rank in the list of the best short players in league history.

#3. Mel Hirsch (5ft 6in)

Standing at 5'6", Mel Hirsch's name is donned in basketball history as one of the short legends of the game. Hirsch played during the heydays of the league, shining in both the American Basketball League (ABL) and the National Basketball League (NBL) before their merger to form the NBA. Hirsch was known for his great shooting form and scoring ability, which set him apart from his counterparts as one of the best players from his era.

Hirsch played one season for the Boston Celtics in the NBA and these are his averages from 13 games played:

#2. Earl Boykins (5ft 5in)

Standing at 5'5" tall, Earl Boykins was known for his footwork and scoring ability. In his NBA career, Boykins most notably played for the Denver Nuggets, where he utilized his talent to emerge as a dynamic point guard. Boykins had impeccable on-court perseverance and vision, ranking him as one of the best short players of all time.

#1.Muggsy Bouges (5 ft 3in)

Tyrone ‘Muggsy’ Bouges is the shortest player ever to play in the league. Standing 5'3", Bouges was a point guard playing for the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Bullets(now Wizards), Golden State Warriors, and the Toronto Raptors in his 14-year spanning NBA career. Bouges defied all odds and finished top seven in assists for six consecutive seasons, from 1989 to 1995. He also finished top ten in steals during that time and had a career 146 double-doubles. Muggsy's caliber as a player warranted him as a force on both ends of the floor, making him an idol for future NBA legends such as Stephen Curry.