The Shortest NBA Players in League History
These players may have been short in height, but they were never short on excellence.
When it comes to the game of basketball, we all know that height tends to matter a great deal. But for these particular NBA players averaging 5’6’ and below, a shorter stature never deterred them from excelling in the sport they know and love best.
That being said, let’s talk about some of shortest NBA players in league history:
Spud Webb
At 5’6” tall, Spud Webb was known as the shortest player to ever participate in an NBA Slam Dunk Contest – and even slammed a win during the 1986 event. Webb had a decently long career in the NBA; playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic.
During the 1994-95 season, he led the NBA in free throw shooting as he shot greater than 93% from the charity stripe.
Mel Hirsch
Also at just 5’6”, Mel Hirsch took on the recognition as the shortest player in franchise history after his 13 games played with the Boston Celtics during the 1946-1947 season. At this time, Boston finished 22-38 and tied for last in their six-team conference.
Today, Hirsch is known as the third shortest NBA player of all time.
Earl Boykins
The 5’5” tall Earl Boykins had a 13-year-long career in the NBA spanning 1999-2012. He played for several teams including the New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, L.A. Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, and Houston Rockets. Short in stature but never short on skills, Boykins averaged 4.6 points per game during the 2006-07 season in which he competed for both Denver and Milwaukee.
Even during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, Boykins averaged over 15 minutes per game.
Muggsy Bogues
Saving the shortest for last, at just 5’3” Mugsy Bogues has made a name for himself as the shortest player to do it – and did he ever do it well. Bogues had 14-season-long career spanning 1988-2001 playing for the Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors; averaging more than 10 assists per game on two occasions.
You may also remember Bogues for his feature in the film Space Jam.
6. Scottie Pippen
Alongside teammate Michael Jordan who was considered as the Batman to his Robin, 10x All-Defensive Team maker Scottie Pippen perfected the art of using unselfishness to his advantage. With his notable defense and passing abilities, legendary sidekick Pippen is undeniably one of the best small forwards in franchise history.
5. Elgin Baylor
At #5, 11-time All-Star Elgin Baylor is probably one of the most underrated rebounders and one of the greatest players to never snag an MVP award. Making the All-NBA selection 10 times, Baylor had incredible career averages of 27.4 points per game, 13.5 rebounds per game and 4.3 assists per game.
4. Kevin Durant
Winning the NBA Scoring Title four times and helping carry the Golden State Warriors to two championships, KD steals a spot at #4. An unstoppable player with unlimited range, Kevin Durrant posts career averages of 27.3 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game and shooting 49% overall alongside 38% from beyond the arc and 88% from the free-throw line.
3. Julius Erving
At #3 on our Top 10 Greatest Small Forwards list is none other than the iconic Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who boasted career averages of 24.2 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game and 4.2 assists per game. The 11-time All-Star Dr. J was a total force to be reckoned with both on his own and together with the team – and if you consider his ABA stats, Erving is an overall top-six scorer in basketball history.
2. Larry Bird
As one of the NBA’s most proficient and effortless shooters of all time, Larry Bird boasted career averages of 24.3 points per game while shooting 50% overall, alongside 38% from beyond the arc and 89% from the charity stripe. With a vast array of skills, Bird also possessed an unmatched ability to predict the moves of his opponents and teammates and used this intuition to his advantage.
1. LeBron James
Finally, with the hottest ranking on our Top 10 Best Small Forwards in NBA History list, the legendary LeBron James takes the cake at #1. As a four-time MVP and with career averages like 27.3 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game and 6.9 assists per game, we’d make a case that the powerful James is easily the greatest small forward in the league’s history.
Masterful performance knows no height
While these shorter-than-average height players may be remembered as so, height (or lack thereof) couldn’t stand in the way of their talent and performance.