Size matters in basketball. Tall kids often get more attention from coaches which can give a better start of a player’s career. But some guys work hard and against all odds even become stars.
With the NBA becoming more mobile with bigs having abilities to spread floor, can the players that are not so tall be needed and become significant contributors?
We decided to take a look and answer the question who are the shortest NBA players on each and how they are performing in the league?
RELATED: The Tallest Player(s) on Every NBA Team & Their Heights
There are only two players in the NBA who are shorter than 6’0” (1.83 m). One of the is having a much better career than the other and has already made a couple of All-Star appearances.
Only 5 players on the list are non-American. Two of them are key players for their respective teams.
Shortest Players by Team
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young – 6’2” (1.88 m)
The rookie who was traded from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic is the second top scorer on the team with 16.2 points and 7.3 assists per game.
Boston Celtics
Terry Rozier – 6’1” (1.85 m)
The guard is averaging 8.6 points per game so far this season.
Brooklyn Nets
Shabazz Napier – 6’1” (1.85 m)
The guard is 10th on the Nets’ scoring list with 9 points per game.
Charlotte Hornets
Kemba Walker – 6’1” (1.85 m)
Despite being the shortest player on the team, Walker is a super star, currently averaging 24.7 points and 5.6 assists per game.
Chicago Bulls
Ryan Arcidiacono – 6’3” (1.91 m)
Arcidiacono is coming off the bench for the Bulls and scoring 6.1 points per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Colin Sexton – 6’2” (1.88 m)
The 8th overall pick in the NBA Draft 2018 is posting 14.5 points per game for the worst team in the league.
Dallas Mavericks
J.J. Barea – 6’0” (1.83 m)
The 34-year-old Puerto Rican veteran is still an important part of the team. He’s averaging 16.3 points per game which makes him the 3rd top scorer on the team just behind Luka Doncic and Harrison Barnes.
Denver Nuggets
Isaiah Thomas – 5’9” (1.75 m)
The NBA All-Star in 2016 and 2017 is sidelined due to injury. His career points per game average is 18.9. Thomas was averaging a whopping 28.9 points per game in 2016-2017 while playing for the Celtics.
Detroit Pistons
Ish Smith – 6’0” (1.83 m)
Despite going undrafted in 2010, the 30-year-old point guard found his place in the NBA. This season Smith is averaging 8.7 points per game.
Golden State Warriors
Quinn Cook – 6’2” (1.88 m)
Cook is averaging 7.6 points per game but that’s enough to be the 5th top scorer on the team.
Houston Rockets
Chris Paul – 6’0” (1.83 m)
The 9-time NBA All-Star needs no introduction. He’s putting 15.6 points per game for the Rockets.
Indiana Pacers
Darren Collison – 6’11”
The guard is an important rotation player for the Pacers with 9.9 points and 5.8 assists per game.
Los Angeles Clippers
Patrick Beverley – 6’1” (1.85 m)
Lou Williams – 6’1” (1.85 m)
Beverley, a defense specialist, is averaging 6.7 points per game while Williams is one the team leaders with 18.8 points per game.
Los Angeles Lakers
Rajon Rondo – 6’1” (1.85 m)
The Lakers seem to prefer taller players as Rondo is significantly shorter even that the next shortest player (6’5” (1.96 m)). The veteran himself was posting 8.9 points per game in 15 appearances before the injury.
Memphis Grizzlies
Mike Conley– 6’1” (1.85 m)
Conley is the top scorer for the Grizzlies with 20 points per game.
Miami Heat
Goran Dragic – 6’3” (1.91 m)
The 32-year-old Slovenian has established himself in the NBA. Currently he is the second top scorer for the Heat with 15.3 points per game.
Milwaukee Bucks
Eric Bledsoe– 6’1” (1.85 m)
The 18th overall pick in 2010 is one of the key player for the Bucks with 15.8 points per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jeff Teague – 6’2” (1.88 m)
Tyus Jones – 6’2” (1.88 m)
Teague and Jones are contributing 11.5 and 5.4 points per game respectively for the struggling Timberwolves.
New Orleans Pelicans
Tim Frazier – 6’1” (1.85 m)
The guard is contributing 4.6 points per game.
New York Knicks
Trey Burke – 6’1” (1.85 m)
With 11.6 points per game Burke is among top 5 team scorers.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Dennis Schroder – 6’1” (1.85 m)
Raymond Felton – 6’1” (1.85 m)
Schroder is among the team’s leaders with 15.3 points per game, meanwhile veteran Felton is averages 4.7.
Orlando Magic
D.J. Augustin – 6’0” (1.83 m)
The 31-year-old veteran is the 5th top scorer for the Magic with 11.6 points per game.
Philadelphia 76ers
T.J. McConnell – 6’2” (1.88 m)
The guard is not playing a significant role for the Sixers with 6.7 points per game.
Phoenix Suns
Jawun Evans – 6’0” (1.83 m)
Evans is on a two-way contract with the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA G League. While with the Suns he appeared in 4 games and scored 4 points in total.
Portland Trail Blazers
Seth Curry – 6’2” (1.88 m)
The Blazer’s shortest player is Steph Curry’s brother Seth. He’s averaging 6.3 points per game this season.
Sacramento Kings
Frank Mason – 5’11” (1.80 m)
The 24-year-old point guard is just one of two players in the NBA shorter than 6’0”. Mason is scoring 4.6 points per game for the Kings.
San Antonio Spurs
Patty Mills – 6’0” (1.83 m)
The Australian point guard 9.4 points per game for Gregg Popovich’s side.
Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry – 6’0” (1.83 m)
Fred VanVleet – 6’0” (1.83 m)
Both players are scoring in double digits: 4-time All-Star Lowry averages 14.1 points per game, while VanVleet is scoring 10.4 points per game.
Utah Jazz
Raul Neto – 6’0” (1.83 m)
With 4.9 points per game the Brazilian guard is a role player for the Jazz.
Washington Wizards
Gary Payton II – 6’3” (1.91 m)
Chasson Randle – 6’3” (1.91 m)
The son of the legendary Gary Payton is on a 10-day contract with the Wizards and is yet score for his new team. Meanwhile former Real Madrid player Chasson Randle I getting some minutes off the bench and is averaging 4.7 points per game.
Data courtesy of the NBA.com and accurate on 27 January 2019.
