Anyone who believes basketball is only for giants is mistaken. We have evidence of several athletes who have made a difference with less-than-average metrics throughout the league's history.
This is because, in addition to height, technical skills and how you move on the parquet are also important in basketball. In this special ranking, we'll see who the worst NBA players have ever been and how they managed to make a name for themselves in the world's finest league.
The NBA's shortest players ever are listed below. Only one of the names mentioned is still active, and that is Isaiah Thomas.
10. Nate Robinson - 175 cm
Photo: sun-sentinel
Nate Robinson was chosen with the 21st pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns but was instantly traded to the New York Knicks. After five seasons with the New York Knicks, he embarked on a long journey that included stops with the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans.
His height of 175 centimeters did not deter him from flying high without the use of stairs or climbing on the shoulders of a teammate: he managed to win the Slam Dunk Contest three times. His slam on Dwight Howard is legendary.
9. Isaiah Thomas - 175 cm
Photo: ontapsportsnet
Isaiah Thomas had the resilience to carve out a place among the league's best notwithstanding his short stature in a land of giants. Regrettably, it was only on for a few seasons. The little guy who has done some damage here and there during his two years with the Boston Celtics, earning him two All-Star Game invitations. At least for him, 175 cm is not a problem.
8. Charlie Criss - 173 cm
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Photo: sportsmanagementdegreehub
Although Charlie Criss' NBA career was short, one thing is for sure. He began and ended in the same place, with the same team: the Atlanta Hawks. His best season was his first, in 1977/78, when he averaged 11 points and 4 assists in 77 games. Criss is solid evidence that you can always break through and be influential no matter how tall you are.
7. Greg Grant - 172 cm
Photo:basketballnetwork
Grant, unlike Nate Robinson, was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1989 and played with them even if it's just for a season. Nine years in a league where it seemed impossible to play for him while wearing the uniforms of six different teams seemed impossible.
Greg Grant has also dressed the T-shirts of the New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Washington Bullets, who are now known as the Wizards. In his autobiography, 94 Feet and Rising: The Journey of Greg Grant to the NBA and Beyond, Grant told the story about his NBA's unusual journey.
6. Keith Jennings - 171 cm
Photo: pinterest
Keith Jennings' height drops, as does his number of NBA seasons: only three for Keith Jennings, all with the Golden State Warriors. Jennings appeared in 164 games between 1992 and 1995, the best of which was the penultimate.
On April 22, 1995, the former number two finished the game with 23 points and 10 assists, scoring three triples on four attempts and four free throws on four attempts. After some European experiences, Jennings is excited to take on the role of coach.
5. Wat Misaka - 171 cm
Photo: seattletimes
Wat Misaka has become renowned for being the first non-white athlete of Asian ancestry to break into a professional player in addition to his humble 171 centimeters. Misaka was chosen by the New York Knicks in the 1947 Draft and played three games for them, scoring seven points before being cruelly cut mid-season.
He established a strong friendship with Hall of Famer Carl Braun during training camp. The documentary Transcending: The Wat Misaka Story, directed by Bruce Alan Johnson and Christine Toy Johnson, tells his story (he also won an NCAA championship with Utah University).
4. Mount Towe - 170 cm
Photo: jokermag
As a manager, Monte Towe has a better reputation than a player. He didn't leave much of an impression as a point guard. Before retiring and dedicating himself to the role of coach, he only played two seasons in the NBA, both with the Denver Nuggets. However, he received a great honor: the NCAA championship, which he won in 1974 while playing at North Carolina State University.
3. Spud Webb - 170 cm
Photo: patch
Spud Webb, who stands 170 centimeters tall, has had a distinguished career. The former number four was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 1985 NBA Draft, he spent six seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.
His peak years, however, were spent with the Sacramento Kings. He set a career-high of 16.0 points and 7.1 assists per game during the first championship season. In total, 8,072 points and 4,342 assists were scored in 814 games. Not to overlook the title of 1986 Slam Dunk Contest champion. A baby with wings named Spud Webb.
2. Earl Boykins - 165 cm
Photo: wikipedia
He was so small that he could slip between the legs of any other player in the league, and he was so tenacious that he went on to have an incredible career. Earl Boykins went undrafted in the 1988 NBA Draft but went on to play 13 seasons in the league, not to mention his trip to Italy.
The New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Bobcats, Washington Wizards, and Houston Rockets all welcomed him in 2012, capping a long journey among the giants.
1. Muggsy Bogues - 160 cm
Photo: basketballworld
In 1981, he transferred to Dumbar High School, where he was a member of the basketball team. Everyone burst into laughter when he arrived at the training ground at the age of sixteen. What did someone of this stature want to do with it? They were amused, but only because they hadn't yet seen him perform. Muggsy, or pickpocket, was given to him after only two training sessions.
Tyrone Bogues made his NBA debut in 1987, when the Washington Bullets selected him with the 12th overall pick. A season with Manute Bol, who stands 2 meters and 32 centimeters tall, followed by a move to the Charlotte Hornets, where he made a significant impact. Bogues led the Hornets to the playoffs for the first time in four years.
Finally, he spent two seasons with the Golden State Warriors and two seasons with the Toronto Raptors. Never give up, always believe. His life's motto
