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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Sports Desk • Basketball

Muggsy Bogues

Muggsy Bogues, born Tyrone Curtis Bogues, is an American former professional basketball player best known as the shortest player in NBA history at 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m).

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Muggsy Bogues is the shortest player in NBA history, standing at 5 ft 3 in. He played 14 seasons as a point guard, most notably for the Charlotte Hornets, and later coached in the WNBA.

What it is

Tyrone Curtis “Muggsy” Bogues was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1965. At 5 ft 3 in, he is the shortest man ever to play in an NBA game. He played point guard, using quickness and ball-handling to overcome his height.

Why it matters

Bogues proved that size isn’t everything in professional basketball. His career inspired undersized players everywhere. He also has a Canadian connection: he played for the Toronto Raptors during the 1999–2000 season, making him a early figure in the team’s history.

Key details

Drafted 12th overall in 1987 by the Washington Bullets, Bogues spent his best years with the Charlotte Hornets (10 seasons). He averaged 7.7 points and 7.6 assists per game for his career. After retiring, he coached the Charlotte Sting of the WNBA.

In short

  • Shortest NBA player ever at 5 ft 3 in.
  • Played 14 seasons, mostly with Charlotte Hornets.
  • Drafted 12th overall in 1987.
  • Coached Charlotte Sting in WNBA.
  • Played for Toronto Raptors.
Canadian angle

Bogues played for the Toronto Raptors, making him a notable figure in early Toronto NBA history.

Quick questions

How tall is Muggsy Bogues?
He is listed at 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m).
What NBA teams did he play for?
He played for the Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors.
Did Muggsy Bogues coach after playing?
Yes. He served as head coach of the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muggsy_Bogues
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, height, NBA position, teams, career length, and post-playing coaching role.
  2. Basketball-Reference — https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/boguemu01.html
    Supports: Birth details, draft position, position, career span, and career statistics.
  3. NBA / Charlotte Hornets — https://www.nba.com/hornets/press-releases/why-theres-much-more-muggsy-bogues-height-and-numbers
    Supports: Hornets tenure, franchise records for assists and steals, and final NBA season context.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muggsy-Bogues
    Supports: General biography and significance as an NBA player.