Shortest Players in NBA History [Updated 2024]

The NBA has seen some of the tallest players dominate the hardwood over the years. However, even some of the shortest NBA players have managed to impact the league on equal footing with others.

These NBA stars proved that height is just a number in the world of basketball, where skill, grit, and raw talent can overcome even the most imposing obstacles. From Muggsy Bogues, who stood at a mere 5 feet 3 inches, to Earl Boykins, these players have shown that they are more than capable of holding their own against towering opponents.

Top 5 Shortest NBA Players

In a league where inches matter, the standout stars have shown that skill and passion can make all the difference. Here are the five shortest NBA players in league history who have proved that size is far from the only determining factor in excelling on the court.

5. Wataru “Wat” Misaka – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)

Wataru “Wat” Misaka was the first player of Japanese descent to play in the NBA. He played for the New York Knicks in 1947-1948, just one year after the league’s inception.

Standing at 5 feet 7 inches, Wataru Misaka was one of the shortest players in NBA history, but his height was not a hindrance to his ability to compete on the court. He played as a point guard, and prior to his NBA career, he had won the NCAA Championship with Utah in 1947.

4. Monte Towe – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)

Monte Towe, at 5 feet 7 inches, was a diminutive guard who played for the Denver Nuggets from 1975 to 1977. Towe’s height was offset by his quickness and ball-handling skills.

He was a tenacious defender and played a valuable role as a backup point guard. Despite his limited playing time, his presence on the court was felt. Monte Towe had won the NCAA Championship with the University of North Carolina prior to his professional career.

3. Mel Hirsch – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)

At just 5 feet 6 inches, Mel Hirsch was one of the shortest players in NBA history. He played in the early years of the league during the 1940s for a brief stint with the Boston Celtics.

Mel Hirsch was known for his quickness and ball-handling skills, attributes that allowed him to contribute to his team. During that period, Hirsch was the shortest player in the league to have ever taken the NBA court.

2. Earl Boykins – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)

Earl Boykins, at 5 feet 5 inches, was one of the smallest players to make a significant impact in the NBA. Despite his diminutive stature, Boykins displayed incredible quickness and scoring ability during his career.

Boykins had a journeyman’s career, playing for multiple NBA teams, but his contributions were consistently impressive. He averaged 8.9 points and 3.2 assists per game during his time in the league. His agility and ability to create scoring opportunities made him a valuable asset off the bench.

1. Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues – 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)

Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues standing at a mere 5 feet 3 inches is the shortest NBA player in the history of the league. His speed and defensive skills made him a force to be reckoned with on the court.

Muggsy spent the majority of his career with the Charlotte Hornets but also played for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors. Despite his stature, Muggsy Bogues had a long and successful career in the NBA. 

He recorded 6,858 points, 6,726 rebounds, and 1,369 assists during his time in the NBA. To date, Muggsy Bogues remains one of the most celebrated figures in NBA history.

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