There’s no argument that if you’re going to create the perfect basketball player that one of the attributes this G.O.A.T. player would be height – as in tall. That’s because basketball is essentially a game of giants where scoring over your defender is an essential ability.

This plays out in the NBA’s best players of all-time. The top 10 players of all-time are 6-6 or taller. And only about a dozen players in that list of 76 measure under 6-4. No doubt that Steph Curry, Nate Archibald, Isiah Thomas, Allen Iverson, Earl Monroe, Chris Paul, Bob Cousy, Steve Nash, Lenny Wilkins, John Stockton and Damian Lillard are amazing players, but it goes to show you that having height plays a outsized factor into a player’s success.

The Shortest NBA players of All-Time

Height is important to make it to the highest levels, but height isn’t everything. There’s been plenty of tall players that have flamed out in the history of the NBA Draft. That’s because there are some things that cannot be tangibly measured; heart, intelligence, an indomitable will, a competitive spirit, and creative shot making. All these help to overcome shortcomings in the height department.

These traits become even more important for players the shorter they are. Particularly for those players under six foot. Even the greatest small players Isiah, Steph, Dame, and A,I. were taller than 6 foot. That’s why we decided to give respect to every NBA player that was shorter than six feet tall over the last 75 years of the NBA’s existence. 

With sports betting turning out to be a global craze, NBA betting is one of the top choices among sports bettors. Websites such as captaingambling.com present users with a wide array of casino choices, bonuses, voucher codes, statistics, News, updates, and player ranking relevant to NBA sports betting. Looking at our list of International Basketball Player Database, we detail some of the notable NBA players that measured under-six-foot. If you make the NBA in the five foot range, you have to be an extraordinarily-talented player. 

D.J. Augustin

D.J. Augustin, a 5’11” journeyman guard, has sustained a lengthy NBA career thanks to his reliable playmaking skills. Over the years, he’s amassed 8,439 points, 3,427 assists, 1,630 rebounds, and 518 steals. His best season saw him average 14.4 points, 6.1 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game. One of his career highlights came during the 2019 NBA Playoffs, when he hit a memorable buzzer-beating three-pointer against the eventual champions, the Toronto Raptors.

Dana Barros

This 5’11” guard made the All-Star team once and was named the Most Improved Player scoring much of his 8,901 points from the three-point line where he shot 41.1% for his career. Barros all-star season say him average 20.6 points, 7.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and shoot 46.4% from distance.

Terrell Brandon

Two-time All-Star Terrell Brandon was a meance playing with the Cleveland Cavs. A lot of his 9,994 points came from his free-throw line jumper which was near-automatic for Brandon. The 5’11” point guard’s 19.5 points, 6.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 37.3 three-point percentage turned out to be his best season. 

Brevin Knight

This 5’10” defensive player scored 5,342 points, passed for 4,481 assists, pulled down 1,785 rebounds, and had 1,229 steals. Knight was a worthy backup guard during his years in the NBA. For his best season statistically, Brevin delivered 12.6 points, 8.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 steals. He led the NBA in steals as a rookie while achieving a near double-double over 80 games. His 8.2 assists per game earned the 8th in the NBA and got him a spot in the All-Rookie first team. 

J.J. Barea

With 5.7 assists 11.3 points, and 2.8 rebounds in his best season with the Dallas Mavericks, the 5’10” Barea was also an NBA champion. In his long career with the Mavs, Barea put up 7,387 points, 3,257 assists, 1,743 rebounds, and 330 steals. Undrafted, Barea’s fearlessness helped him achieve a successful NBA career that led to an NBA championship and score nearly 7,400 points across 828 games.    

Ty Lawson

After winning the 2009 NCAA Championship with North Carolina, Ty Lawson was drafted 18th overall by the Denver Nuggets where the 5’11 point guard spent his first six NBA seasons. In 2013-14, Lawson recorded his best statistical season when the diminutive guard averaged 17.6 points, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals across 62 games.

Avery Johnson

This prototypical floor general 5’10” and NBA champion scored 13.1 points, 9.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals in his best season for the San Antonio Spurs ultimately had career totals of 8,817 points, 5,846 assists, 1,751 rebounds, and 1,007 steals in his career.

Slater Martin

The 5’10” Texas acquired the  Hall of Fame, Five-time NBA champion, Seven-time All-Star, and Five-time All-NBA while scoring 7,337 points, 3,160 assists, 2,302 rebounds, and 13.6 points, 5.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds on his best season.

Damon Stoudamire

Damon Stoudamire, known as “Mighty Mouse,” made an impressive impact in the NBA, especially for a 5’10” guard. The Rookie of the Year tallied 953 steals, 11,763 points, 5,371 assists, and 3,039 rebounds over his career. In his peak season, he averaged 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, showcasing his all-around skills on the court.

Michael Adams

At 5’10” Adams was a one-time All-Star and scored no less than 10.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals during his NBA career. One of the first three point bombers, Adam’s best season saw him score 26.5 points per game.  Over his career he scored 9,621 points, passed for 4,209 assists, and had 1,081 steals.

Calvin Murphy

This 5’9″ guard achieved the Hall of Fame and was, One-time All-Star and also scored 17,949 points, 4,402 assists, 2,103 rebounds, and 1,165 steals in his career with 20.4 points, 7.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 steals on his best season.

Isaiah Thomas

This 5’9 guard made a splash with the Boston Celtics when he put up MVP candidate numbers of 28.9 points, 5.9 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and nearly a steal a game in the 2016-17 season. Drafted with the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, I.T. became a two-time NBA All-Star and a one-time All-NBA player tallying 9,508 points, 2,599 assists, 1,288 rebounds, and 464 steals in his career.

Fred Scolari

With a 5’10” frame, a blind eye, and a deaf ear “Fat Freddie” Scolari became a two-time All-Star and a two-time All-BAA with his unconventional shooting style. He scored 6,014 points, 1,406 assists, 857 rebounds during his career and averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in his best season.

Spud Webb

Anthony Webb is one of the most well-known small players of all time having won the Slam Dunk Contest at just 5’7. Spud scored 8,072 points, 4,342 assists, 1,742 rebounds, and 922 steals throughout his career with 16.0 points, 7.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals on his best season. Webb was more than an All-Star Weekend afterthought playing 814 games across a 13-year career. 

Wat Misaka

Playing in just three games for the New York Knicks in the 1947, the 5’7 Wat Misaka has the distinction of being the first player of color (non-Caucasian) to ever play in the NBA.  Misaka was the Knicks’ first ever draft pick after a successful career winning an NCAA Title for the Utah Utes.

Muggsy Bogues

As the smallest athlete in NBA history, 5’3″ Muggsy Bogues was still able to dunk the ball during his playing days. Over his 15 seasons in the league, Muggsy scored: 6,858 points, had 6,726 assists, pulled in 2,318 rebounds, and stole 1,369 basketballs from opposing point guards. Bogues best season came with the Charlotte Hornets when he averaged a double double 10.8 points and 10.1 assists along with 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals.

Thus, in spite of their small frame, these players did not disappoint the team or players who had gambled on them.