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  InterBasket > Player Profiles > Earl Boykins, Usa Ibn Notes: Earl was a co-captain for the United States National Team in the 1997 World University Games leading the team to a 6-0 record and the gold medal while posting a 15.7 points per game average and 3.3 assists a game, both best on the team.  He along with Chamique Holdsclaw, were named 1997 USA Basketball's Athletes of the Year.
Earl Boykins Profile

 Name: Earl Antoine Boykins
Nickname: Little Earl (Also L'il Earl)
Born: June 2, 1976
Status: Active
Origin: Cleveland, Ohio
Height: 5-5/1,65m
Weight: 133lbs/60,4kg
Schools: Central Catholic High School (Cleveland, Ohio), Eastern Michigan University
Drafted: Undrafted
Languages: English
Website: InterBasket
Teams (jersey): US National Team, Cleveland Cavaliers (5), New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors (11), Denver Nuggets (11), Milwaukee Bucks
Ibn Notes: At 5-5, the first thing one notices about Earl Boykins is his size.  Sure, Earl is one of the shortest players in NBA history, but if you look past his size, Boykins is also one of the smartest players.  Little Earl is very much like many of his small predecessors - Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues - quick, savvy and resourceful. However, in my opinion, Earl Boykins is a much better overall player than Webb or Bogues.  Bogues doesn't have the consistent shot that Earl Boykins (nor is as aggressive), and Webb was not nearly as much of a playmaker as Boykins is.  Earl is a hugely talented player, not only does he have the required speed, Earl has the strength (reportedly can bench up to 350lbs) that counters his 133lbs, and is just a skilled player all-around. 

A great shooter with the requisite high-release and rainbow arc needed for someone his size to get his shot off in the NBA, Earl combines his great shooting touch with quick, deceptive and effective moves to make himself dangerous wherever he is on the court.

Stoic and businesslike, Earl rarely shows emotion, even when hitting a tough layup over 7-footers or a long-three over a power-forward.  To the casual observer and fan, it might seem so amazing that someone so small could do these types of things day-in and day-out as Earl does, but in Earl's eyes, it's nothing special, he's been doing this type of thing for the last 15 years.
Earl Boykins Links  From our forum: NBA Discussion Forum  Articles and other resources: Earl Boykins Photo Gallery (Yahoo!), NBA stars are made, not graduated: the TopFive (CNNSI), Earl Boykins Video Mix (YouTube), Boykins Batters Miami with 35 Points (Enquirer.com), My Life As a Little Man (CNNSI), Smallest Player the Biggest in Clutch (InsideHoops), Earl Boykins Interview (HoopsHype, 2003), Small ball (San Diego Union-Tribune, 2006), Earl Boykins Career High Remix (YouTube), Over-the-backboard buzzer beater! (YouTube)