Find out the shortest players in the NBA, from those who are currently active to the smallest players in the history of the league.
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Who are the shortest current NBA players?
Ranking | Player | Height | Years Active |
1 | Yuki Kawamura | 5ft 8in | 2024- |
2 | Chris Paul | 6ft | 2005- |
2 | Kyle Lowry | 6ft | 2006- |
2 | Fred VanVleet | 6ft | 2016- |
2 | Aaron Holiday | 6ft | 2018- |
2 | Jose Alvarado | 6ft | 2021- |
2 | Davion Mitchell | 6ft | 2021- |
2 | KJ Simpson | 6ft | 2024- |
2 | Jordan McLaughlin | 6ft | 2019- |
2 | Mike Conley | 6ft | 2007- |
2 | Yuri Collins | 6ft | 2024- |
The shortest NBA player right now is Yuki Kawamura, the point guard who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2024. At just 5ft 8in tall (1.73m), as of the 2024-25 season, he is the only player under 6ft tall.
Following Kawamura, and also ranking among the smallest NBA players there are 10 players listed at 6ft (1.83m).
That list features a few players who have been selected for NBA All-Star teams, including 12-time All-Star Chris Paul (San Antonio Spurs) and six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry (Philadelphia 76ers). Meanwhile, both Fred VanVleet (Houston Rockets) and Mike Conley (Minnesota Timberwolves) place, having each also featured as NBA All-Stars.
Curiously, two first-round picks also appear among the shortest current NBA players: Davion Mitchell (Miami Heat) was the 9th overall pick in 2021, and Aaron Holiday (Houston Rockets) was the 23rd overall pick during the 2018 draft.
Rounding out the list, the remaining shortest players in the NBA are Jose Alvardo (New Orleans Pelicans), KJ Simpson (Charlotte Hornets), Yuri Collins (Golden State Warriors), and Jordan McLaughlin (San Antonio Spurs).
Who are the shortest NBA players ever?
Ranking | Player | Height | Years Active |
1 | Muggsy Bogues | 5ft 3in | 1987-2001 |
2 | Earl Boykins | 5ft 5in | 1998-2012 |
3 | Spud Webb | 5ft 6in | 1985-1998 |
3 | Mel Hirsch | 5ft 6in | 1946-1947 |
4 | Greg Grant | 5ft 7in | 1989-1998 |
4 | Keith Jennings | 5ft 7in | 1991-2004 |
4 | Red Klotz | 5ft 7in | 1942-1989 |
4 | Wat Misaka | 5ft 7in | 1947-1948 |
4 | Markquis Nowell | 5ft 7in | 2023-2024 |
4 | Monte Towe | 5ft 7in | 1975-1977 |
Placing as the smallest player in NBA history, by quite some distance, is Muggsy Bogues.
The legendary point guard is just 5ft 3in (1.60m) tall, yet enjoyed a long career in the NBA, playing for the Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors.
Next up, the second-shortest NBA player ever is Earl Boykins, who stands at 5ft 5in (1.65m) and played for 10 teams over a 13-year career. Meanwhile, at 5ft 6in (1.68m) we have both Mel Hirsch, who played 13 games for the Boston Celtics during the 1946-47 season, and Spud Webb, who notably won the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
There are then six players who rank joint fourth, due to their height of 5ft 7in (1.70m). This includes Greg Grant, who played for six NBA franchises between 1989 and 1996, along with with Keith Jennings, Red Klotz, Wat Misaka, Markquis Nowell, and Monte Towe.
So, there we have it: the smallest players to grace the NBA courts! Alternatively, maybe you’re curious about the other end of the scale? Well, we’ve also done a deep dive into the tallest NBA players too.
In fact, over on the Betway blog, you can find lots of other basketball articles to read.
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