Ranking the Best NBA Players by Height

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Best NBA Player at 5'3": Muggsy Bogues
3. The Best NBA Player at 5'5": Earl Boykins
4. The Best NBA Player at 5'6": Mel Hirsch
5. The Best NBA Player at 5'7": Spud Webb
6. The Best NBA Player at 5'8": Charlie Criss
7. The Best NBA Player at 5'9": Isaiah Thomas
8. The Best NBA Player at 5'10": Damon Stoudamire
9. The Best NBA Player at 5'11": Mark Price
10. The Best NBA Player at 6'0": Allen Iverson
11. The Best NBA Player at 6'1": Isaiah Thomas
12. The Best NBA Player at 6'2": Tony Parker
13. The Best NBA Player at 6'3": Stephen Curry
14. The Best NBA Player at 6'4": Dwyane Wade
15. The Best NBA Player at 6'5": Oscar Robertson
16. The Best NBA Player at 6'6": Michael Jordan
17. The Best NBA Player at 6'7": Scottie Pippen
18. The Best NBA Player at 6'8": LeBron James
19. The Best NBA Player at 6'9": Moses Malone
20. The Best NBA Player at 6'11": Tim Duncan
21. The Best NBA Player at 7'0": Hakeem Olajuwon
22. The Best NBA Player at 7'1": Shaquille O'Neal
23. The Best NBA Player at 7'2": Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
24. The Best NBA Player at 7'3": Rik Smits
25. The Best NBA Player at 7'4": Chuck Nevitt
26. The Best NBA Player at 7'5": Yao Ming
27. The Best NBA Player at 7'7": Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan
28. Conclusion

Ranking the Best NBA Player at Every Height

Basketball is a sport that requires Height, but that doesn't mean that shorter players can't excel in the game. In fact, some of the best players in NBA history have been under six feet tall. In this article, we will be ranking the best NBA player at every height, from 5'3" to 7'7".

The Best NBA Player at 5'3": Muggsy Bogues

At just 5'3", Muggsy Bogues is the only player of his height to ever play in the NBA. Despite his small stature, Bogues had a successful career, playing for 14 seasons and averaging 7.7 points and 7.6 assists per game. He was also known for his impressive ball-handling skills and was a fan favorite for his tenacity on the court.

The Best NBA Player at 5'5": Earl Boykins

Earl Boykins is the only player in NBA history to be listed at 5'5". Despite his small size, Boykins had a long and successful career, playing for 13 seasons and averaging 8.9 points and 3.2 assists per game. He was known for his quickness and agility on the court, as well as his ability to score from anywhere on the floor.

The Best NBA Player at 5'6": Mel Hirsch

Mel Hirsch played for the Boston Celtics in the 1940s and was the only player of his height to ever play in the NBA. Despite his small stature, Hirsch was a solid player, averaging 5.5 points and 1.8 assists per game over his career.

The Best NBA Player at 5'7": Spud Webb

Spud Webb is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 5'7". He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1986, becoming the shortest player to ever participate and win in the contest. Webb played for 12 seasons and averaged 9.9 points and 5.3 assists per game.

The Best NBA Player at 5'8": Charlie Criss

Charlie Criss is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 5'8". He played for the Atlanta Hawks and the San Diego Clippers in the 1970s and 1980s, averaging 8.5 points and 3.2 assists per game over his career.

The Best NBA Player at 5'9": Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 5'9". He played for the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics, averaging 18.1 points and 5.0 assists per game over his career. Thomas was a two-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2017.

The Best NBA Player at 5'10": Damon Stoudamire

Damon Stoudamire is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 5'10". He played for the Toronto Raptors, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 13.4 points and 6.1 assists per game over his career. Stoudamire was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1996.

The Best NBA Player at 5'11": Mark Price

Mark Price is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 5'11". He played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Washington Bullets, and the Golden State Warriors, averaging 15.2 points and 6.7 assists per game over his career. Price was a four-time All-Star and won the Three-Point Contest twice.

The Best NBA Player at 6'0": Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'0". He played for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets, and the Detroit Pistons, averaging 26.7 points and 6.2 assists per game over his career. Iverson was a four-time scoring champion, an 11-time All-Star, and was named the NBA MVP in 2001.

The Best NBA Player at 6'1": Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'1". He played for the Detroit Pistons, the Boston Celtics, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 18.1 points and 5.0 assists per game over his career. Thomas was a two-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2017.

The Best NBA Player at 6'2": Tony Parker

Tony Parker is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'2". He played for the San Antonio Spurs, the Charlotte Hornets, and the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 15.5 points and 5.6 assists per game over his career. Parker was a four-time NBA champion, a Finals MVP, and a six-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 6'3": Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'3". He has played for the Golden State Warriors his entire career, averaging 23.5 points and 6.6 assists per game. Curry is a three-time NBA champion, a two-time MVP, and has set numerous records for three-point shooting.

The Best NBA Player at 6'4": Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'4". He played for the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 22.0 points and 5.4 assists per game over his career. Wade was a three-time NBA champion, a Finals MVP, and a 13-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 6'5": Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'5". He played for the Cincinnati Royals and the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game over his career. Robertson was a one-time NBA champion, a 12-time All-Star, and was named the NBA MVP in 1964.

The Best NBA Player at 6'6": Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'6". He played for the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards, averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game over his career. Jordan was a six-time NBA champion, a five-time MVP, and a 14-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 6'7": Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'7". He played for the Chicago Bulls, the Houston Rockets, and the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game over his career. Pippen was a six-time NBA champion, a seven-time All-Star, and was named to the All-Defensive First Team eight times.

The Best NBA Player at 6'8": LeBron James

LeBron James is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'8". He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 27.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. James is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time MVP, and a 16-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 6'9": Moses Malone

Moses Malone is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'9". He played for the Houston Rockets, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 20.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game over his career. Malone was a three-time NBA MVP, a one-time NBA champion, and a 12-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 6'11": Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 6'11". He played for the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 19.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game over his career. Duncan was a five-time NBA champion, a two-time MVP, and a 15-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 7'0": Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 7'0". He played for the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors, averaging 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game over his career. Olajuwon was a two-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and a 12-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 7'1": Shaquille O'Neal

Shaquille O'Neal is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 7'1". He played for the Orlando Magic, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Miami Heat, averaging 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game over his career. O'Neal was a four-time NBA champion, a three-time Finals MVP, and a 15-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 7'2": Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 7'2". He played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game over his career. Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time NBA champion, a six-time MVP, and a 19-time All-Star.

The Best NBA Player at 7'3": Rik Smits

Rik Smits is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 7'3". He played for the Indiana Pacers, averaging 14.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game over his career. Smits was a one-time All-Star and helped lead the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000.

The Best NBA Player at 7'4": Chuck Nevitt

Chuck Nevitt is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 7'4". He played for the Houston Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Detroit Pistons, averaging 1.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game over his career. Nevitt was known for his height and was a member of the 1985 Lakers championship team.

The Best NBA Player at 7'5": Yao Ming

Yao Ming is the best player to ever play in the NBA at 7'5". He played for the Houston Rockets, averaging 19.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game over his career. Yao was an eight-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team twice and the All-NBA Third Team three times.

The Best NBA Player at 7'7": Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan

Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan are the best players to ever play in the NBA at 7'7". They both played for the Washington Bullets and were known as the "Twin Towers". Bol averaged 2.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game over his career, while Muresan averaged 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Conclusion

Height is an important factor in basketball, but it's not the only factor. The players on this list have proven that size doesn't always matter when it comes to being successful in the NBA. From Muggsy Bogues to Yao Ming, these players have shown that heart, determination, and skill can make up for a lack of height.