When you think about the NBA, you're usually thinking about giants. Seven-footers like Victor Wembanyama or the legendary Shaquille O'Neal. But then there's the other side of the spectrum. The guys who make you do a double-take. The ones who look like they’re playing a completely different sport because they’re standing at the waist of the people defending them.
Right now, in 2026, everyone is talking about Yuki Kawamura.
He’s currently the shortest person in the NBA, and honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle he’s here at all. Standing at just 5 feet 8 inches, Kawamura is a spark plug. He’s the guy who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies before landing a spot with the Chicago Bulls. But while he’s the modern answer to the "small guy" question, he’s actually tall compared to the guys who came before him.
The Absolute Record: Muggsy Bogues at 5'3"
If you want to talk about the real shortest person in the NBA history, you have to talk about Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues.
Five foot three.
That is not a typo. Muggsy Bogues played 14 seasons in the NBA at a height that most middle schoolers pass by the time they hit puberty. You’ve probably seen the iconic photo of him standing next to Manute Bol—a 28-inch height difference. It looked like a comedy sketch. But Muggsy wasn't a joke. He was a problem for every point guard in the league.
He didn't just "survive" the league. He thrived. He finished his career with more than 6,700 assists and nearly 1,400 steals. He had a lower center of gravity than anyone else, meaning if you dribbled the ball anywhere near him, he was basically already under your arm and gone with the ball before you could react.
People always ask: "Could he dunk?"
The answer is no. Well, not in a game. There are rumors of him doing it in practice at Wake Forest, but Muggsy didn't need to dunk. He was the king of the assist-to-turnover ratio. In fact, he holds one of the best ratios in the history of the game. He valued the ball like it was made of gold.
Yuki Kawamura: The New Standard for Small Guards
Fast forward to the current 2025-2026 season. Yuki Kawamura is the man carrying the torch. He’s 5'8", which sounds small, but in the world of elite basketball, it’s practically microscopic.
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Kawamura came over from the Japanese B. League where he was basically a god. He led his team to championships and won the MVP. But the NBA is a different beast. When he first suited up for the Grizzlies in late 2024, people were skeptical. They thought he’d get hunted on defense every single possession.
What they didn't realize is that Kawamura is fast. Like, "blink and you missed him" fast.
He’s currently the only player in the league listed under 5'9". Most "short" players these days are actually around 6'0" or 6'1", like Mike Conley or Jose Alvarado. Being 5'8" puts Yuki in a very exclusive club of players who have to play with a chip on their shoulder every single night.
Why the "Short" Guys are Disappearing
You might have noticed there aren't many guys like this anymore.
NBA teams have become obsessed with "length." If you’re a point guard today, teams want you to be 6'6" like Cade Cunningham or Josh Giddey so you can switch onto big men. A 5'8" guard can't switch. If Yuki Kawamura gets caught in a screen and ends up guarding a power forward, it’s basically a layup for the other team.
So, how does he stay on the floor?
- Elite Shooting: You can't leave him open. Period.
- Full-Court Pressure: He pesters the ball for 94 feet.
- Playmaking: He sees passing lanes that taller players don't because he's looking through the defense, not over it.
The 5'5" Scoring Machine: Earl Boykins
We can't talk about the shortest person in the NBA without mentioning Earl Boykins.
Boykins was 5'5". He weighed 135 pounds soaking wet. Yet, he played 13 seasons and once scored 32 points in a single game for the Denver Nuggets. Think about that for a second. A guy who could comfortably fit in a large suitcase went out and dropped 32 points on professional athletes.
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Boykins was famous for his bench press. He could reportedly lift 315 pounds. That strength was his secret weapon. He wasn't just small; he was a brick wall. When bigger guards tried to post him up, they found out he was impossible to move.
Spud Webb and the 1986 Dunk Contest
Then there’s Spud Webb. He was 5'6" (sometimes listed at 5'7").
Spud is the reason every short kid in the 80s thought they could fly. In 1986, he entered the Slam Dunk Contest. He was going up against his own teammate, Dominique Wilkins, who was 6'8" and one of the most powerful dunkers ever.
Spud won.
He didn't just win; he dominated. He was doing 360-degree dunks and catching lobs off the backboard. It remains one of the most legendary moments in sports history. It proved that "verticality" is the great equalizer. If you can jump 40+ inches, your standing height matters a lot less.
Does Being Short Help?
Believe it or not, there are actual advantages to being the shortest person in the NBA.
First, there’s the "invisibility" factor. Players like Muggsy Bogues and Yuki Kawamura often "disappear" behind screens. A defender loses sight of them for half a second, and by the time they find them again, the little guy is already at the rim or has kicked the ball out for an open three.
Second, the ball is closer to the floor for them. Their dribble is tighter. It’s much harder to steal the ball from a 5'8" guard than it is from a 6'10" forward. Their "low center of gravity" makes them incredibly difficult to knock off balance.
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The Reality of the "Under 6-Foot" Club
Despite the highlights, the path for these players is brutal. For every Yuki Kawamura who makes a roster, there are a thousand 5'9" guards who are amazing but just too small for the NBA's defensive schemes.
Look at someone like Isaiah Thomas. He’s 5'9". He was an MVP candidate for the Boston Celtics and averaged 28.9 points per game in 2017. But once he had a hip injury and lost just 5% of his speed? The league moved on. When you're small, your margin for error is zero. You have to be the fastest, the smartest, and the best shooter just to get a seat at the table.
Notable Short Kings of the NBA (All-Time)
- Muggsy Bogues (5'3"): The GOAT of short players. 14 seasons.
- Earl Boykins (5'5"): Could bench press double his body weight.
- Spud Webb (5'6"): Dunk contest legend.
- Mel Hirsch (5'6"): Held the record before Muggsy.
- Greg Grant (5'7"): Pure speed and energy.
- Yuki Kawamura (5'8"): The current face of the "short" NBA.
What’s Next for Small Players?
If you’re a shorter player looking to make it, the blueprint has changed. You can't just be a "fast guard" anymore. You have to be an elite floor spacer.
The NBA in 2026 is all about the three-point line. If you can shoot 40% from deep and pass like Yuki Kawamura, there will always be a spot for you, regardless of your height. Teams are starting to value "specialists" again, and a small guard who can come off the bench and change the tempo of a game is a massive asset.
Actionable Insights for the "Short" Athlete:
- Master the Floater: You won't always get to the rim for a layup. The "tear-drop" or floater is the most important shot for anyone under 6 feet.
- Conditioning is Everything: To make up for size, you have to be the best-conditioned athlete on the floor. You should never get tired.
- Study the Greats: Watch film of Muggsy Bogues’ defense and Isaiah Thomas’ scoring runs. They used their size as a tool, not a crutch.
- Strength Training: Like Earl Boykins, you need a strong core and base so you don't get bullied in the paint.
The story of the shortest person in the NBA isn't about lack of height. It’s about the presence of heart. Whether it's Muggsy in the 90s or Kawamura today, these players remind us that basketball isn't just a game for giants. It’s a game for anyone who is fast enough to catch the wind and brave enough to stand among the trees.
To keep up with Yuki Kawamura's stats this season, check the official NBA player tracking data, which now includes "distance traveled" and "sprint speed"—metrics where the shortest players almost always lead the league.