How Tall Is the Shortest NBA Player?

The average height of an NBA player is just over 6 feet 7 inches, but there have been some very short players over the years. Here’s a look at the shortest players in NBA history.

Introduction

In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the average player is about 6 feet 7 inches tall. But there have been some very successful players who are much shorter. The shortest player in NBA history was Muggsy Bogues, who was just 5 feet 3 inches tall. But he still had a successful career, playing for 14 seasons with several different teams.

Other successful short players include Earl Boykins (5 feet 5 inches), Spud Webb (5 feet 7 inches), and Calvin Murphy (5 feet 9 inches). So even though the average NBA player is tall, it is possible for shorter players to find success in the league.

The NBA’s Shortest Players

In the NBA, there are a handful of players who are considered to be the shortest. These players have to work extra hard to make up for their lack of height. However, they are still able to be successful in the NBA. Let’s take a look at the shortest NBA players.

Spud Webb

Point guard Tyrone Curtis “Spud” Webb was born July 13, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Webb played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 12 seasons. At just 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters), he is one of the shortest players in NBA history. He’s best remembered for winning the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Muggsy Bogues

At 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m), Bogues is the shortest player ever to play in the National Basketball Association. He is also the second-shortest player of all time, behind Earl Boykins. Bogues was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where he attended Dunbar High School. He played college basketball at Wake Forest University before being drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1987. He also played for the Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors.

Tyrone Bogues

Tyrone Curtis “Muggsy” Bogues (born January 9, 1965) is an American former professional basketball player. The shortest player ever to play in the National Basketball Association, he was just five feet, three inches (1.60 m) tall. He played as the point guard for four teams during his 14-season career in the NBA.

Other Short NBA Players

Though we may not know how tall the shortest NBA player is, we do know that there have been several short players in the NBA. Below are some of the most notable short NBA players.

Calvin Murphy

Calvin Murphy is one of the shortest NBA players, measuring in at just 5 feet 9 inches. Despite his small stature, Murphy was an excellent basketball player, known for his quickness and shooting ability. He played for the Houston Rockets for 13 seasons, including two trips to the NBA Finals. In 1993, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Earl Boykins

Earl Antoine Boykins Jr. (born June 2, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player. Standing at only 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m), he is one of the shortest players ever to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Over his 14-year NBA career, Boykins played for twelve different teams; he also played professionally in Italy and China. He was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Nate Robinson

At just 5’9”, Nate Robinson is one of the shortest players in the NBA. He was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2005 and played for them for four seasons before being traded to the Boston Celtics. He has also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to the question – how tall is the shortest NBA player – is that there is no definitive answer. Depending on which source you consult, the height of the shortest NBA player ranges from 5’3″ to 5’7″. However, the average height of an NBA player is around 6’7″, so any player shorter than this is considered to be relatively short.