Many people in the world love watching NBA games. They don’t just watch it but also learn from it. One common belief is that it’s a game of giants where the taller you are the more you can succeed. However, this is not the case with all NBA stars. In fact, there are a few shortest players in the NBA.
Shortness is beautiful. We never thought we’d hear ourselves say these words, but it might be true. It is a fact that many of the great basketball players have been well above six feet. And yes, Steve Francis was one of them. Here we have prepared a list of some of the shortest players that have played with the National Basketball Association. This blog will look at the shortest players in the NBA and why they have achieved so much despite not being giants.
A list of the 10 shortest players in NBA History
The NBA is full of tall athletes, with the average height of the league being 6 feet 7 inches. However, there are some players who are much shorter than that.
Isaiah Thomas (5’9″)
Isaiah Thomas is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is one of the shortest players in the NBA, standing at only 5‘9“.
Despite his size, Thomas has been able to make a name for himself in the league, having played for six teams during his career. Thomas is known for his ability to score, using his speed and agility to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. He is also known for his clutch shooting, having hit some of the biggest shots in recent NBA history. Thomas is a two–time All–Star and was named to the All–NBA Second Team in 2016.
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Darren Collison is a 5‘10“ point guard who currently plays for the Indiana Pacers. He is one of the shortest players in the NBA, yet he is still able to make a significant impact on the court.
His quickness and agility allow him to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. His ability to shoot from deep makes him a valuable asset to any team. He is an excellent defender, often taking on much taller opponents and winning the majority of those battles. Collison is one of the most underrated players in the league and could easily be a starter on most teams.
Shabazz Napier (5’11”)
Shabazz Napier, who stands at 5‘11“, is the shortest current active player in the NBA. He is a point guard for the Washington Wizards and was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets.
Napier has had a very successful career, making the NBA All–Rookie Second Team in 2014 and the NBA All–Defensive Second Team in 2019. He has also won two NBA championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. Napier is an excellent all–around player, capable of creating, scoring, and defending. He is a great example of how skill, determination, and hard work can overcome physical limitations.
Cory Joseph (5’11”)
Cory Joseph is an established NBA player who currently plays for the Sacramento Kings. Standing at just 5‘11“, Joseph is one of the shortest players in the league.
Despite his size, Joseph has enjoyed an impressive career, having played for four NBA teams over nine seasons, and having won an NBA Championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014. He is known for his defensive prowess, averaging 1.3 steals per game throughout his career, and his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. Joseph is a tireless worker and has earned a reputation as an excellent teammate, making him an invaluable asset to any team.
Elfrid Payton (6’0″)
Elfrid Payton is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Payton is 6‘0“ tall and is the shortest active player in the NBA.
He was drafted 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA draft, but was traded to the Orlando Magic shortly afterwards. Payton has been a capable point guard throughout his career, averaging 11.2 points and 6.4 assists per game since entering the NBA. Payton is also known for his exceptional passing and ball–handling skills, as well as his tenacity and hustle on defense. He is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, and he has the potential to be a key contributor for the Knicks in the future.
Yogi Ferrell (6’0″)
Yogi Ferrell is one of the shortest players in the NBA, standing at only 6‘0“. Despite his size, he has had a successful career in the league and has been a key contributor to many teams.
Ferrell is a versatile guard who can play both point and shooting guard positions. He is a great passer, shooter and defender, making him a valuable asset to any team. Ferrell has proven to be a sparkplug off the bench, providing energy and hustle to the court. His quickness and ability to score in transition makes him a huge asset for any team.
Raymond Felton (6’1″)
Raymond Felton is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He stands at 6‘1“ tall and is considered the shortest player in the NBA.
Felton is a crafty point guard who can impact the game in a variety of ways. He is an excellent ball handler and passer, able to create shots for himself and his teammates. He is also a capable defender, capable of shutting down some of the league‘s best point guards. Felton has been a valuable asset to the Thunder and has been instrumental in their success.
Trey Burke (6’1″)
Trey Burke is a 6‘1“ point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Burke is the shortest active player in the NBA, but he has made a name for himself as one of the league’s best playmakers.
Burke is an excellent ball–handler, able to create offense off the dribble and make pinpoint passes to open teammates. His ability to control the game has helped his teams reach the playoffs multiple times in his career. Burke’s size has been an obstacle at times, but he has proven that even the shortest players in the NBA can make a big impact.
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Spencer Dinwiddie is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He stands 6‘6“ tall and is the shortest player in the NBA.
Dinwiddie has achieved a lot in his NBA career, such as being selected to the 2017–18 All–Rookie Second Team and winning the 2018–19 NBA Skills Challenge. His career averages of 12.5 points and 5 assists per game show that he is a capable scorer and playmaker. Despite being one of the shortest players in the league, Dinwiddie has found a way to become successful and compete at a high level.
Isaiah Taylor (6’3″)
Isaiah Taylor (6‘3“) is the shortest active player in the NBA. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in the 2016 NBA Draft and is currently playing for the Washington Wizards.
Taylor is a talented point guard who can create space with his quickness and agility and is a threat to score from anywhere on the court. He is a good passer and a solid defender, and he has the ability to run the pick–and–roll with precision and accuracy. Despite his height, Taylor is a great player who can make a big impact on any team he joins.
