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The most minor players in NBA history
In the NBA right now, fans are currently raving about players like Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While these amazing athletes are fantastic to watch, they're tall players like many of their fellow professionals. It's a pastime that is generally associated with bigger athletes. Despite this, though, some diminutive professionals have shone over the years.
These smaller players might not be as prominent as the taller players in the league, but they have managed to challenge conventions and forge a successful career for themselves. Despite opting for a sport where the average height of players in the NBA was roughly 6'7" from 1985 to 2006, the talent these players possessed meant they could still produce when it mattered. They defied the odds and weren't there to make the numbers up.
While aforementioned stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are standing out right now and are being backed by fans to produce the goods regarding NBA betting odds, they haven't always inspired aspiring professionals who aren't the tallest players. So, with that in mind, below we highlight some of the most minor players in NBA history, many of which are inspirational figures to many people.
Charlie Criss (5'8")
Most modern-day basketball fans won't know who Charlie Criss is, but this former professional was just 5'8" and a giant on the court. After looking like the real deal playing in the Continental Basketball Association, Criss eventually made it to the NBA and didn't look back from that point onwards. A natural on the court, he was a reliable guard for the Atlanta Hawks, with his speed and agility being his main attributes.
Wataru “Wat” Misaka (5’7”)
Japanese players haven't always succeeded in basketball, but Wataru "Wat" Misaka most certainly did. Despite measuring just 5'7", he managed to smash through various obstacles and compete in the NBA after returning to the University of Utah and playing a key role in the team's National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship triumph in 1947. From there, NBA teams assessed him, leading to a stint with the Knicks between 1947 and 1948. Misaka isn't the best player the NBA has ever seen, but he faced a lot of flack given his Japanese ancestry and managed to achieve his dreams despite being smaller than most of his rivals.
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Melvin Hirsch (5'6")
Melvin Hirsch wasa great basketball player. While you'll struggle to find much footage of his performances given his era, he was clearly a key player for the Celtics after joining the team in 1946. Small in size, Melvin Hirsch was just 5'6", but he had the talent to beat any bigger players to the ball and a low center of gravity that made him an awkward customer to deal with. Officially the third-shortest player in NBA history, Melvin "Mel" Hirsch made it when so many of his coaches doubted him.
Earl Boykins (5'5")
At just 5'5", Earl Boykins proved that size doesn't matter. He might've been noticeably small, but he possessed plenty of power after playing the sport and building his strength from a young age. Boykins eventually shone while at Eastern Michigan University, but eventually, the Washington Wizards snapped him up in 2009.
Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (5'3")
Officially the most minor player the NBA has ever seen at 5'3", Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues did remarkably well to make it to the pinnacle of the sport. The defensive side of his game was imposing, leading him to spend 14 seasons in the NBA with teams like the Charlotte Hornets.
