Being one of the shortest players in the NBA comes with challenges. It’s tougher to score. It’s tougher to shoot. It’s tougher to play defense.
In a league filled with giants that can reach taller than 7-feet, there are also many short players, relatively speaking.
For example, Muggsy Bogues is the smallest player to ever play in the NBA. Despite being 5-foot-3, he had a successful NBA career.
Bogues was consistently one of the top players in the league in assists and steals, despite his size.
Since Bogues played, the average height of NBA players has increased. However, there are some players shorter than 6-feet tall still, like Jacob Gilyard and Yuki Kawamura.
Here are the shortest players in the NBA:
| Rank | Player | Height | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Muggsy Bogues |
5’3″ | 1987-2001 |
| 2 |  Earl Boykins |
5’5″ | 1999-2012 |
| 3 |  Mel Hirsch |
5’6″ | 1946-1947 |
| 4 |  Spud Webb |
5’7″ | 1985-1998 |
| 5 |  Greg Grant |
5’7″ | 1989-1996 |
| 6 |  Keith Jennings |
5’7″ | 1992-1995 |
| 7 |  Red Klotz |
5’7″ | 1947-1948 |
| 8 |  Wataru Misaka |
5’7″ | 1947-1948 |
| 9 | Monte Towe |
5’7″ | 1975-1977 |
| 10 | Charlie Criss |
5’8″ | 1977-1985 |
Muggsy Bogues | 5’3” | 1987-2001
At 5-foot-3, Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history. He was most well known for his nine-year tenure with the Charlotte Hornets.
Bogues was originally drafted by the Washington Bullets, now the Washington Wizards, where he played with one of the tallest players in NBA history Manute Bol.
Bogues was consistently one of the top players in the league in assists and steals, despite his size. In fact, he still holds Hornets’ records in both stat categories. Bogues also played for the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors.
Earl Boykins | 5’5” | 1999-2012Earl Boykins is the second shortest player in the history of the NBA at 5-foot-5. Boykins defied the odds and played 13 seasons in the NBA despite being undrafted.
He played for several teams, but was most well-known for his time with the Denver Nuggets. On November 11, 2004, he became the shortest player in NBA history to score at least 30 points in a game.
Mel Hirsch | 5’6” | 1946-1947Mel Hirsch of the Boston Celtics was one of the shortest players in NBA history at 5-foot-6. He only played one year in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which preceded the NBA.
Hirsch only played in 13 games in his career and averaged just 1.5 points per game. While his career was short, Hirsch is still one of the shortest players in NBA history.
Spud Webb | 5’7” | 1985-1998Mostly associated with the Atlanta Hawks, Spud Webb is one of the shortest players in NBA history at 5-foot-7.
Webb spent six seasons with the Hawks and he impressed fans with his incredible leaping ability. In the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, he upset teammate Dominique Wilkins (6-foot-8), which was one of the best moments in the history of the dunk contest.
Greg Grant | 5’7” | 1989-1996At 5-foot-7, Greg Grant had a remarkable journey to the NBA, despite being one of the shortest players in NBA history. He was first discovered while playing playground basketball. He went on to have a six-year career.
In the NBA, Grant played for the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Nuggets and Bullets.
Keith Jennings | 5’7” | 1992-1995For only playing three years and being one of the shortest players in NBA history at 5-foot-7, Keith Jennings had a pretty notable career.
He set the Warriors franchise record for 3-point shooting percentage during the 1992-93 season at 48.7%. After three seasons with the Warriors, Jennings played pro basketball in Europe.
Red Klotz | 5’7” | 1947-1948Red Klotz, at 5-foot-7, holds the distinction of being the shortest player to ever win an NBA Championship, in addition to being one of the shortest players in NBA history.
After his one season with the Baltimore Bullets, now Washington Wizards, he formed the Washington Generals, the opposing team that played against the Harlem Globetrotters. He is more well-known for his association in the Globetrotters’ world tour than his NBA career.
Wataru Misaka | 5’7” | 1947-1948Wataru Misaka of the Knicks is one of the shortest players in NBA history. He also made history by being the first non-white player in the BAA.
In his three games with the Knicks, Misaka averaged 2.3 points per game. His career is significant because he was a pioneer in breaking the color barrier in pro basketball.
Monte Towe | 5’7” | 1975-1977While Monte Towe, one of the shortest players in NBA history, wasn’t super successful in the NBA with the Nuggets, he helped revolutionize the sport.
During his time on the North Carolina State Wolfpack, which won the NCAA Championship in 1974, he popularized the alley-oop play with David Thompson. The alley-oop is a huge part of today’s NBA.
Charlie Criss | 5’8” | 1977-1985Rounding out our list of shortest players in NBA history is Charlie Criss at 5-foot-8. Criss didn’t make his NBA debut until he was 28 years old.
He played most of his career with the Hawks. Criss was a fan favorite for his hustle plays and scoring ability. He also played for the San Diego Clippers, now the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
| Rank | Player | Height | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jacob Gilyard |
5’8″ | 2022-Present |
| 2 |  Yuki Kawamura |
5’8″ | 2023-Present |
| 3 | Zavier Simpson |
5’11” | 2022-Present |
| 4 |  Kennedy Chandler |
5’11” | 2022-Present |
| 5 |  Jose Alvarado |
6’0″ | 2021-Present |
| 6 |  Fred VanVleet |
6’0″ | 2016-Present |
| 7 |  Davion Mitchell |
6’0″ | 2021-Present |
| 8 | Kyle Lowry |
6’0″ | 2006-Present |
| 9 |  Chris Paul |
6’0″ | 2005-Present |
| 10 |  Mike Conley |
6’0″ | 2007-Present |
Jacob Gilyard | 5’8” | 2022-PresentPoint guard Jacob Gilyard is the shortest player in the NBA today at 5-foot-8. Gilyard has played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets and, most recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.
While Gilyard has only played 42 career games in the NBA, he has made his presence known when on the floor. Gilyard holds the all-time NCAA record for career steals as well, with 466.
Yuki Kawamura | 5’8” | 2023-PresentYuki Kawamura of the Grizzlies also holds the title of being the shortest player in the NBA today at 5-foot-8. The Japanese point guard has represented his national team at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and 2024 Olympics.
Kawamura has played just over 20 NBA games in his career, averaging 4.2 minutes per game. He’s seen more success in the G League, where he averages 12.4 points per game.
Zavier Simpson | 5’11” | 2022-PresentZavier Simpson has bounced around the NBA as he is one of the shortest players in the NBA today at 5-foot-11. He’s spent time with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Grizzlies.
Simpson had some success with the Thunder in the 2021-22 season. He averaged 11 points per game in four games played that season.
Kennedy Chandler | 5’11” | 2022-PresentAt 5-foot-11, Kennedy Chandler is one of the shortest players in the NBA today. He’s played 36 games for the Grizzlies, but was waived by them in April 2023 despite being a former second round draft pick.
Chandler has spent most of his time in the G League. He currently plays for the Raptors G League affiliate.
Jose Alvarado | 6’0” | 2021-PresentNew Orleans Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado is one of the shortest players in the NBA today at 6-foot. He’s played well over 200 games in his NBA career after going undrafted in 2021.
Alvarado is a reliable rotational player for the Pelicans. His ability to get steals has allowed him to garner the nickname “Grand Theft Alvarado.”
Fred VanVleet | 6’0” | 2016-PresentDespite being undrafted, Fred VanVleet has had a very successful NBA career as one of the shortest players in NBA history. He won an NBA title with the Raptors, but he currently plays for the Houston Rockets.
VanVleet earned his first NBA All-Star selection in 2022 and he’s been a star for the Rockets ever since. He holds the record for most points in a single game by an undrafted player (54).
Davion Mitchell | 6’0” | 2021-PresentFormer top 10 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Davion Mitchell is one of the shortest players in the NBA today. He’s played for the Sacramento Kings, Raptors and Miami Heat.
Mitchell is mostly known for his defense, especially in college. Mitchell averaged 15 points per game in the 2025 NBA Playoffs for the Heat.
Kyle Lowry | 6’0” | 2006-PresentKyle Lowry is maybe the most well known player on the list of shortest players in the NBA today. The 2019 NBA Champion with the Raptors has played nearly 20 years in the league.
Lowry currently plays for the 76ers. He is a six time NBA All-Star, Olympic Gold Medalist and the Raptors’ all-time leaders in steals, assists, 3-pointers and triple doubles.
Chris Paul | 6’0” | 2005-PresentChris Paul is also widely regarded on the list of shortest players in the NBA today. Paul has played 20 years in the NBA for many teams including the Hornets, Clippers, Rockets, Thunder, Suns, Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.
Paul is a 12-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA selection and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. He is one of the greatest point guards of all time.
Mike Conley | 6’0” | 2007-PresentVeteran Mike Conley rounds out our list of shortest players in the NBA today. Conley is mostly associated with his 12 seasons in Memphis. He was a big part of the Grizzlies franchise.
Conley has also played for the Utah Jazz and now the Minnesota Timberwolves. He provides a veteran presence and steadiness for the Timberwolves.
Jacob Gilyard, who stands at 5-foot-8, is the shortest player in the NBA right now. While Gilyard has only played 42 career games in the NBA, he has made his defensive presence known when on the floor. Gilyard holds the all-time NCAA record for career steals (466).
The average height of NBA players over the last 40 years is between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-7. During the 2023-2024 season the average height of an NBA player was 6-foot-6.5 inches. All the players on the list of shortest players in NBA history and shortest players in the NBA today are certainly outliers.
The average height of NBA players over the years has increased slightly. The average height of NBA players back in the 1940s was around 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-4. That has since increased, along with the shift in playing styles in the later years of the 1900s, to around 6-foot-6, which has remained pretty consistent since roughly the 1970s.
At 5-foot-3, Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history. He was most well known for his nine-year tenure with the Charlotte Hornets. Bogues was consistently one of the top players in the league in assists and steals, despite his size.
Gheorghe Muresan is tied for being the tallest player in NBA history as he was 7-foot-7. Muresan played for the Washington Bullets, now known as the Washington Wizards, and New Jersey Nets, now the Brooklyn Nets in his NBA career. He was best known for his shot blocking ability.
Michael Jordan is largely regarded as the best NBA player of all time and he was 6-foot-6, which is a pretty average height in the NBA. Jordan spent 13 of his 15 years in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and he played for the Washington Wizards in the final two years of his illustrious career.
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