At just 5-foot 3-inches tall, Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues is known as the shortest player ever to put on an NBA uniform.

Playing his rookie season with the Washington Bullets in 1987-88, Muggsy was left unprotected in the expansion draft the next season and was subsequently selected by the then new NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets.  Bogues would go on to spend ten years with the Charlotte Hornets; teaming up with the memorable players such as Larry Johnson, Dell Curry, Alonzo Mourning, Rex Chapman and Kendall Gill.

Today, Bogues may be retired, but he is still follows the NBA. In a recent interview, Bogues talked about how he loves watching players like Steph Curry, Ja Morant and fellow Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball.

Could Muggsy dunk during his playing days?

It’s amazing to think a player of that stature could have not only made the league, but thrived in a sport that very much values height and length. Both of which Muggsy lacked, but with a extraordinary mix of speed, strength, smarts, skill, grit,  and an understanding of how go use his size to his advantage, Bogues ended up playing 14 NBA seasons.

Despite there being dozens upon dozens of much-deeper questions that interviewers and fans can ask Bogues regarding his longshot journey in becoming the shortest player in NBA history, the first question that come to mind is often less hard-hitting.

The question Bogues gets the most? It’s whether Bogues could dunk the ball or if he’s ever dunked in an NBA game.

Yes, Muggsy Bogues could dunk during his playing days

And no the above video isn’t real. Though there’s no video footage of Bogues dunking, Bogues has confirmed a couple times that he could get above the rim to fit the basketball through it. During an interview with NBA.com, Bogues confirmed as much; telling the interviewer that he dunked in college and in high school. Here’s the passage from that Chuck Checks In interview:

NBA.com: Muggsy be honest with me. Can you dunk?

Bogues: I tipped (dunked) in college and dunked in high school. I can still touch the rim. I’ve always been a guy who has been able to get off my feet. I’ve still got a little hop to my game.

Keep in mind that this interview was done in 2000 when Bogues was 35 years old and near the end of his NBA career. If you needed more proof whether Bogues could get up and dunk, Bogues did another interview in 2016 with health and fitness magazine Coach and he responded confidently that he most-certainly get above the rim.

We pulled the question and Bogues’ answer directly from the interview:

Muller Rice: “There’s some debate online about whether or not you can dunk. Can you clear that up for us?”

Bogues: “I never dunked in an NBA game… but I can dunk a basketball no problem.”

So though Bogues could dunk without much problem during his playing days, but Bogues never dunked in an actual NBA game. In that same interview, Bogues was asked how he was able to get up for a dunk. He didn’t take any of the credit saying “Fortunately for me it’s genetics” and that he was concerned that if he lifted weights, it would take away some of his natural athleticism that made him the NBA’s shortest (but not lightest) player ever.

Despite never dunking in a game, Bogue’s athleticism has always been a topic of admiration within the basketball community. Standing at just 5’3”, he is still the shortest player to ever compete in the NBA. Despite this, Muggsy managed to forge a highly successful 14-year career, becoming known for his exceptional quickness, agility, and pesky defensive rather than his size. As NBA Hall of Famer Charles Oakley said, ““We had a Muggsy Bogues rule. if you dont see him on the court, pick the ball up because that means he’s right behind you and about to steal it.”

Vince Carter, during USA/CZE broadcast: “We had a Muggsy Bogues rule. if you dont see him on the court, pick the ball up because that means he’s right behind you and about to steal it.”

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) July 31, 2021

While he’s never slammed in a game, Bogues’ ability to elevate himself to the rim is even more remarkable . In an era dominated by towering centers and high-flying forwards, Bogues consistently found ways to outmaneuver his opponents with speed and skill. His fearlessness in challenging much bigger players earned him respect across the league. Reflecting on his career, Bogues shared in an ESPN interview, “Being 5’3” wasn’t a disadvantage for me. It was my strength because it allowed me to play my style of game.”  If you’re interested to read about what Bogues thinks of today’s NBA, go here.