Who’s the Shortest Player in the NBA?
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Who’s the shortest player in the NBA? You might be surprised to find out that there are a few players who are shorter than you might think.
Introduction
In the world of professional basketball, there are a number of incredibly talented players who also happen to be on the shorter side. In fact, some of the best players in the NBA are actually under 6 feet tall! So, who is the shortest player in the NBA?
At 5’9″, Tyler Johnson of the Miami Heat is currently the shortest player in the NBA. He’s followed closely by fellow Heat player Derrick Jones Jr., who is just an inch taller at 6’0″. Despite their relatively short stature, both Tyler Johnson and Derrick Jones Jr. have been huge contributors for the Heat this season, with Johnson averaging 12 points per game and Jones Jr. averaging 8 points per game.
While they may not be the tallest players on the court, it’s clear that size doesn’t always matter when it comes to playing basketball at a high level. These two players are living proof that even shorter players can find success in the NBA!
Current Shortest Players in the NBA
The shortest player currently in the NBA is T.J. Warren of the Indiana Pacers. He is 6 feet 6 inches tall. The second shortest player is Frank Kaminsky of the Phoenix Suns, who is 6 feet 10 inches tall. There are a few other players who are 6 feet 10 inches tall, but T.J. Warren is the shortest player by 2 inches.
Isaiah Thomas
At 5’9”, Isaiah Thomas is currently the shortest player in the NBA. He is also one of the best scorers in the league, averaging over 28 points per game. Thomas was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2011 and has played for the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Tyler Ulis
Tyler Ulis (5’9”) is currently the shortest player in the NBA. He was drafted 34th overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns and helped lead the University of Kentucky Wildcats to an undefeated regular season. He is currently in his second season with the Suns.
Kay Felder
At just 5’9”, Detroit Pistons point guard Kay Felder is currently the shortest player in the NBA. The Undersized Underdog out of Oakland, California went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft but has made a name for himself in the league, most notably for his hops. In his rookie year, Felder put up 4.0 points and 1.4 assists per game in limited minutes off the bench but will look to make a bigger impact in his second season.
All-Time Shortest Players in the NBA
There have been many great players in the NBA who have been very short. The shortest player in NBA history is Muggsy Bogues, who was just 5’3″. He played for four different teams during his 14-year career. let’s take a look at some of the other shortest players in NBA history.
Muggsy Bogues
Muggsy Bogues was born on January 9, 1965, in Baltimore, Maryland. Standing at only 5’3”, he is the shortest player ever to play in the NBA. He was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 1987 and went on to play for 14 seasons with the Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, and Sacramento Kings. He retired from the NBA in 2001.
In his NBA career, Bogues averaged 7.6 points, 2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He is considered one of the best defenders of his generation and was an All-Star in 1987.
Calvin Murphy
Calvin Murphy is a retired American professional basketball player. He played as a point guard in the NBA for the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs. Murphy is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall, making him one of the shortest players in NBA history.
Earl Boykins
Earl Joseph Boykins Jr. (born June 2, 1976) is an American former professional basketball player. Listed at 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m), he is one of the shortest men to ever play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is also tied for the second-shortest player in NBA history to score 30 or more points in a game, behind only Spud Webb. After attending Eastern Michigan University, he was not selected in the 1998 NBA draft, but he later had a successful 13-year NBA career from 1999 to 2012.
Conclusion
At 5’9”, Isaiah Thomas is the shortest player in the NBA. He is followed closely by fellow guard Tyler Ulis, who is also 5’9”. These two players have an advantage over their taller counterparts in that they are quicker and more agile, allowing them to make plays that other players simply can’t.