How Good Was Muggsy Bogues Actually?

The incredible life story of Muggsy Bogues, the shortest NBA player in history. Muggsy was just 5 feet 3 inches tall, and the average NBA player's height is 6 feet 7 inches. So just how good was Muggsy Bogues really?

The average height of an NBA player is 6’7’’, but there have been only 25 players in history listed at 5’9’ or shorter. The shortest of them all, standing at five foot three - is Tyrone Bogues, commonly known as Muggsy. Here’s his life story, and how he defied all the odds and snuck his way in the game of giants.

How Good Was Muggsy Bogues Actually?

[nonstop]

Thumbs up if you're taller than Muggsy.

[mohamadrizal]

With 5'3 height he played 14 seasons in NBA. that's incredible.

[plastic]

Usually when someone is “small” they are usually tall but small for the nba, but muggsy was actually tiny

[LukeyD]

His line in space jam was legendary; “At least you’re guys are still tall, I’ll just be another short guy!”

[nightlordnorris]

Dude was 5'3 and averaged 10 assists and led the team in steals. You can't say that "midget" didn't have heart. Dude is legend and an inspiration.

[awfulwarlock]

Grew up in Charlotte.
I met him when I was in the 4th Grade and he spoke at my school.
He had time to shake every kid's hand and to wish us luck and tell us, "Don't let people tell you what you can't be"
He is a legendary person.

[grifidj]

Apparently every NBA team had a rule when facing the Hornets: Once you have the ball from a rebound or something like that, IMMEDIATELY look around the court. If you can’t see Muggsy, then raise the ball as high as you can because that means he’s right behind you and he’s about to steal it.

[jessturner]

Dude is 5’3” and gets up to the rim. Insane hops.

[goodfellabeats]

The crazy thing about that high school team Muggsy was on was that all 15 guys on the team got D1 scholarships. That's nearly impossible to even imagine today.

[chadspeaks]

"My heart was bigger than my height."-Muggsy Bogues

[mathieuL]

What he achieved in the face of all he had to overcome is nothing short of extraordinary.
Very inspiring and a true legend!

[dtcharo]

I miss those 90s Hornets. Love you Muggsy for the great memories and being a class human being.

[JStucki]

Was his height a limiting factor? Yeah, maybe. But he was trouble at 5'3". We might imagine what kind of player he'd have been at 6'3", or 6'8", but look at what he was able to do at 5'3". His height may have made him unable to do certain things, but he made himself able to do things taller players also couldn't do. He turned a negative into a positive. And let's face it--this dude must have been tough as hell, or there's no way such a little guy could make it in that league.

[vodoumyers]

As someone whose 5'5, I could never imagine playing in the NBA. Mugsy is a different breed I tell ya.

[Vdelw]

He lasted that long in the nba, couldn't be done today by someone who's 5'9

[CSLucasEpic]

As a non American, the first time I ever saw Bogues play was in the 1986 FIBA World Cup. I remember seeing him play in the final between USA and the USSR (a team that at the time had Sabonis in his prime), and I was amazed on how fast he was even with his short size.

[bobbyj]

Played in arguably the top era or Basketball at 5'3. Shit is inspiring.

[fasilicious]

I have all of the respect in the world to Muggsy for never giving up!

[tropico]

There probably won't be someone else like him playing in the NBA ever again. Truly a legend.

[gorgge]

I’m 5, 4 and 18 so this is inspirational.