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How to play basketball for short people


Can I Play Basketball If I'm Short? (With Tips For Short Players!)

Are you a short basketball player? If yes, have you ever wondered if playing basketball is for you? Almost all people know that basketball is for tall people only. So, does it mean you can’t play basketball if you are short? Let’s find out! 

Can you play basketball if you are short? Height plays a huge role in basketball. However, it doesn’t mean that a short player cannot be good at it. Short people can be good at basketball, but it can be difficult. I know lots of people below 5’8 that play as guards on their school’s team. 

However, there are other things you can learn from this topic. Let’s check the reasons why height is essential for basketball players and tips for short basketball players. Also, we are going to answer other questions related to our subject. If you are ready, let’s go! 

Check out the shortest NBA players here!

Why Is Height Important In Basketball?

The height of most basketball rims is ten feet. The courts you see in your backyard, gyms, parks, and driveways are almost always ten feet off the ground. 

Portable basketball hoops can be adjusted so that young children can play through them. But for high school, college, and professional basketball, the game is played on basketball hoops with standard 10-foot height. 

The height of the rim is tall, which is why taller basketball players have many advantages. Taller players have an advantage in basketball because they can lay the ball in the rim effortlessly, they can rebound the ball effortlessly, and have better blocking skills. 

However, even though height is essential in basketball, it is still possible for smaller people out there to be good at it. Many short NBA players proved to people that height doesn’t matter in basketball. Players like Muggsy Bogues, Spud Webb, and Earl Boykins are example players. 

Height is essential if you are aiming to get the center or power forward position in basketball. But if you are only looking to get the point guard or shooting guard position, it is better for you to be small. Why? Because if you are short, you will have some advantages against the taller guys, like speed. Spud Webb: one of the shortest NBA player in history!

Does Height Affect Performance In Basketball? 

Height may affect performance in basketball. When it comes to scoring, it is easier for tall basketball players to score than smaller players. Being taller can help you shoot the ball inside or outside without the risk of a player blocking the ball away from you. 

However, this doesn’t mean that small basketball players can’t compete with taller dudes on the court. Taller basketball players may have some advantages, but smaller guys have too. Small basketball players have a speed and outside shooting advantage, while tall basketball players have inside shot and defense advantage. 

Short or tall, all of us have different strengths and weaknesses. Height may be a factor that may affect your performance. But the mindset is the greatest factor that can affect your basketball performance. If you have the wrong mindset, you will still fail even though you have the height of Yao Ming. 

Is 6ft A Good Height For Basketball?

Yes! 6ft is already a good height for basketball. For the United States, this height is the ideal height for point guards. However, in Asian countries, this height is for centers already because they have a smaller average height of basketball players compared to the USA. 

The shortest NBA player is Muggsy Bogues, who has a height of five feet and three inches. Spud Webb is five feet and seven inches that win the 1986 NBA slam dunk contest. These two players are not six feet and not near to six feet. However, they still have an awesome basketball career. 

So if you are 6ft, you are lucky enough. You can have a chance to enter the NBA or other professional basketball leagues around the world. With that height, you might get the point guard or shooting guard position. 

What Is The Best Basketball Position For Short Players?

The best position for short basketball players is either point guard or shooting guard. The point guard is the one that handles the ball and runs plays. The shooting guard is the best outside shooter on a basketball team. 

The reason why short basketball players are usually put into these positions is that short players can dribble the ball fast, pass the ball properly, and run quickly. To be able to fit into these two positions, you need to have these three skills. Short basketball players have these three skills, which is why they fit into these positions. 

Can Short Basketball Players Dunk? 

Dunking does not depend on height but the vertical leap of a basketball player. Short basketball players can dunk if they have a high vertical jump. There are astounding small NBA players that can dunk, for example, Spud Webb. 

Yes, short basketball players can dunk the ball into the rim. However, it is much easier for tall basketball players to dunk the ball. Why? Because they are tall enough to easily touch the rim, but because there are many vertical exercises invented, it becomes easier for any basketball player, short or tall, to dunk the ball to the rim.  

Check out the top 7 NBA players who can’t dunk here!

Basketball Skills You Need As A Small Player To Score

If you are a small basketball player and looking to outplay other taller players on the court, keep reading! Because I am going to tell you the skills you need as a short player. 

Dribbling Skill

First is you need to have good dribbling skills. Everyone needs to have basic dribbling skills. But for a small guy like you, you need to make your dribbling skill better than the basic and others. This will give you lots of advantages on the court. With good dribbling skills, you can get the spot of the point guard. 

Outside Shooting

Because you are a short basketball player, shooting inside is not probably a good idea. Why? Because tall basketball players are inside waiting for you. These tall players can effortlessly block your layups or floaters. This is why you need to have a good outside shooting. Improve your three-point shooting so that you can still give your team lots of points even if you are short.  

Step Back Skill

Creating separation with your defender is essential for a short player like you. You have to learn how to execute the step-back move. When you master the step-back skill like James Harden, you will be unstoppable on the court. You can score more jump shots and three-pointers if you know how to create separation from your opponents.

Speed

If you want to score inside, make sure that you are fast as lighting! You are a short guy, and if you move like a snail on the court, you will be useless. Improve your quickness on the court so that you can outplay taller players. If you are fast as lighting, you can drive into the basket quickly, and your inside shots will most likely be uncontested.

7 Tips For Short Basketball Players

Now that you know the skills that you need as a short basketball player, I will give you next to the tips you need to improve those skills you needed. These tips are essential and proven to help you compete on the court even if you are short. Let’s check them out!

Improve Your Dribbling

The first tip I will give to you is you should improve your dribbling skills. Like I have mentioned above, dribbling is one of the skills you need as a short player to outplay other taller players on the court. 

If you are a beginner, start with the basic dribbling first, then escalate to the harder type of dribbling moves when you master the basics. If you have good dribbling skills, you can ankle break and leave your defender behind. Also, if you have good dribbling skills, you can get the point guard position. 

Learn Defense

Do you know the saying defense is the best offense? It is true! 

If you are a short basketball player, you need to learn proper defense to defend any basketball player on the court. Even the tall ones! Don’t be lazy in defense because if you are lazy on your defense, you will earn your ticket to the bench. 

You should also know how to steal the ball from your opponents. Because you are a short basketball player, you have to improve your defensive skills. If centers are looking for their teammate to pass the ball, you should steal the ball from them. Because you are a short player, you can move and react quicker than taller basketball players.

Master The Floater Shot

Floater shot is a good shooting technique in basketball for short players. It is easy to make a floater shot because you don’t need to release the ball with an active jump. You only need a couple of steps and release the ball quickly up. It is better to learn to use one hand if you shoot a floater. 

Floater shot is a good shooting technique for short basketball players because it is a shot that is hard to block. It is a high arching shot giving tall basketball players a hard time reaching your shot in the air. So if you want to be an effective scorer even if you are a short basketball player, master the floater shot! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiehfRY5B24

Lift Weights

Strength is essential in basketball. If you are already short and also not strong, opponents can effortlessly push you down. If you don’t have enough power on the court, you cannot perform well. 

To get more strength, you need to have a healthy diet and hit the gym. Lifting weights is the only way to build your strength. If you have a robust body, you will be a good defensive player and you can bump on anyone on the court. 

So if you are not practicing or playing basketball, go to the gym and lift weights instead of playing video games during your free time. 

Improve Your Basketball IQ

Basketball IQ is essential, especially if your position is a point guard. Short basketball players are the point guards of every basketball team. If you are a short player, I suggest improve your basketball IQ for better performance on the court. 

If you have a good basketball IQ, you can read your opponents’ next moves. You are a short player, which means you are not strong enough to power your way down inside the paint. What you can do is to have a sharp mind to be able to outplay taller players.  

Rely On Your Speed

Like I have said above, speed is essential for a short basketball player like you. If you love shooting inside the paint, you need to rely on your speed so that your layups will never get blocked. If you are quick enough to leave any defender, your shots are most likely an uncontested shot. 

If you are not fast enough, then improve it. There are many workouts on Youtube about how to be a quick basketball player. Let me give you one video below:

Improve Your Three-Point Shooting

If you are a short basketball player, you cannot go inside the paint because your shots will most likely get blocked, especially if you are not quick. You need to be a three points marksman so that you can give your team more points. 

Three-points is the safest shot to take on the court. You can create a separation from your defender and release the ball quickly from your hands. If you make it, you will get three points. If you can score from a range, height never matters because you don’t need to go inside the paint.

Final Verdict 

If you are a short basketball player, never lose hope! Because there are tons of things you can do to outplay taller basketball players. I hope that the tips above will help you become a good basketball player even though your height is not that tall. 

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How to Play Basketball as a Short Guy

The old, and famous, proverb of, “you can’t coach size”, is one of my personal favorite sayings.  While many NBA, WNBA, and NCAA basketball players stand in at over 6-feet, simply being tall does not mean that you will be a good basketball player.

And, alternatively, just because you may be short, or shorter than 6-feet, doesn’t mean you can’t be a good basketball player.  Below, we’re going to go over how to play basketball as a short guy.  While height can certainly help in basketball, it is neither a requirement nor a prerequisite.

And while height can certainly help, you don’t need to be tall or over 6-feet to be a good basketball player.   Rather, working on the below aspects of your game will make you one of the better players on the court.

Can Short Players Play Basketball?

Surprise, but basketball doesn’t have any height requirements!

In fact, being a shorter player may actually be an advantage.  Typically, shorter players are faster and more nimble than their taller counterparts.  This speed and agility will not only help you to weave through the defense but will also help you to quickly dart and cut to the basket for easy, quick layups.

In addition, shorter basketball players oftentimes have deadlier, more accurate and precise shooting abilities.  These abilities can be extended throughout the court and can leave the defense helpless as you rain down threes from beyond the arch.

Be Confident in Your Game

While easier said than done, basketball is as much a mental game as it is a fundamental one.  And one of the absolute best ways to beat the game mentally is to have a confident mindset in your own abilities on the court.   While you may be frustrated by your height,  you should not allow it to hinder your performance or abilities.

Being confident in your game means putting aside any doubts and questions about your abilities and physical appearance.  It also means being able to hone in on the skills and fundamentals that will make you the envy of other players on the court.

Work on Your Fundamentals

While height can certainly play a role on a basketball team, as a shorter guy, you should work on your fundamentals and ensure that they are down pat.  These fundamental skills should not only include your dribbling, passing, and shooting skills, but also your defensive, rebounding, and blocking skills.

What you may lack in height, should be made up for in your fundamentals.

And you should go back to basics to ensure that your basketball fundamental skills are solid and rooted in proper techniques.  As a shorter basketball player, you will especially want to work on your dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.

Odds are, that as a shorter guy playing basketball, you will be assigned the point guard position.  As a point guard, you will not only be in charge of many play calls, but you will also be looked to for guidance on a play, you will be in charge of bringing the ball up the court, and your teammates will expect you to make the open pass or shot where available.

That is why it is so important for shorter players to work on their fundamentals.  Be sure to practice your dribbling, passing, and shooting game.  In practice, mimic real-world, real game situations that you are likely to face.  Learn how to play against those situations and be confident in your abilities to do so.

Have a Killer Shot

If there is one thing that many taller, bigger basketball players are jealous of their shorter counterparts in, it is in their abilities to shoot the basketball proficiently, accurately, and efficiently.  Typically, taller, bigger basketball players lack the accuracy and precision needed to score from away from the basket.

This inability to shoot from away from the basket is a major point of weakness for many teams.  It is also where, as a shorter basketball guy, you can show off your own skills.

One of the greatest tools you can have as a shorter basketball player is the ability to make a majority of your jump shots.  However, in order to do so, you will need to practice your shot on a daily basis.  You should practice daily and consistently.

That is why we highly recommend reading over our review of how many shots you should be taking on a daily basis to be a better shooter.  Ideally, and in our review, we recommend taking a minimum of 250 shots each day outside of your time in practice.

While this may seem steep, the only true way to become a better basketball player, especially as a short guy, is to practice shooting the ball as often and as much as possible.  And while fundamental skills and drills will help with your basketball shooting form, only practicing consistently will make you a better and more accurate shooter.

Develop Your Defensive Abilities

While, as a shorter player, you may feel that your defensive abilities are not up to par as compared to your taller teammates, you would be far from the truth.

Shorter players are generally faster and more nimble in their abilities.  As-such, they are generally able to move with and without the ball faster and more quickly.  In addition, shorter, faster players tend to be great defensive players.  While you won’t expect to block too many shots, you should utilize your height to grab loose balls and to steal the ball from an opponent.

Develop a Team First Mentality

As a shorter guy playing on a basketball team, it can feel overwhelming playing amongst taller players, many of whom may be towering over you.  However, what you lack in height can be made up for in how you play.  And while having a deadly shot and effective defense can help, you should also develop a team first mentality.

This means that you should work on your court vision and look for open players to receive the ball.  Similarly, learn how to play an unselfish level of play, where the success of the team is also your own success.  Not only can you be a good passer, but look to make smart screens, to assist on double-teams, and to hustle on each and every play.

Hustle More Than Your Teammates

And finally, when it comes to playing basketball as a shorter guy, the best piece of advice is to simply hustle more than your teammates.  Basketball is equal parts a physical and mental game and by working harder, running faster, and hustling more than your teammates, and everyone else on the court, you will be able to prove yourself and be an invaluable member on the team.

Learn How Other Shorter Basketball Players Play

From Spud Webb to Mel Hirsch, the NBA has seen a wide-selection of shorter players in the league. And if you are looking to become a better basketball player as a short guy, then learning from those players should be one of your top priorities.

There are a plethora of videos available online which showcase how those shorter players played and by watching those videos, you can help to improve your own game and your abilities.

How to play basketball short

It is generally accepted that basketball is a game for big people. But it is not so.

Joan Pachisa, a dwarf, whose short stature (exactly 1 meter) and a disease of the musculoskeletal system did not prevent him from realizing his dream: to play basketball, became the hero of one of the plots of the “Best Ball Game” program. The diminutive Spaniard competed in the World Dwarf Games last year and even made a documentary about it.

But there are examples of how people who are not particularly disposed to sports achieve what they want, among professionals. The clearest example among basketball players is the 160-centimeter Mugsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history. Matchtv.ru remembers him and other stars, thanks to which short boys and girls were able to believe in themselves.

Mugsy Bogz (160 cm)

One of the most famous basketball photos of all time: the tallest basketball player in NBA history Manute Bol (231 cm) and the shortest Mugsy Bogz (160 cm). In season-1987/88 they played for the same club - the Washington Bullets.

The only person who called baby Bogz by his real name was his mother. Already at the age of 7, on the street playground, Tyrone Curtis Bogz received the nickname "Mugsy" (in English slang - "thief"), which stuck to him instantly and forever. Yielding to rivals in size, Mugsy could only surpass them in speed, which he successfully did for 14 years in the NBA. Moreover, in the very first match in his career, he had a chance to defend himself against the legend of the Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson, who is 40 cm taller than him!

“The press made a real show out of that match,” Bogz said during a visit to Russia last year. - Still, he is a superstar, and I just came to the NBA, and even with such growth! But as soon as the Magic started the first attack, I made an interception and ran to the basket. In the next moment, he only hits the ball on the floor - and I rob him again! In general, my whole career is a constant collapse of stereotypes. And I love it. How I like it now, after retiring, to motivate young guys and girls, to prove to them that small stature is not yet a sentence for a basketball player.

Earl Boykins (165 cm)

The second-shortest NBA player in history, Boykins retired just three years ago. Due to his small stature, he was not even drafted by any of the clubs, but in the end he managed to play for 10 different teams. Unlike Bogz, he became famous not only for his lightning-fast defense, but also for his performance (personal best in the NBA - 32 points). And also by the fact that with a weight of 60 kg in the best years, I pressed 142 kg from the chest! It seems that the recently released film "Ant-Man" is just about him.

Webb Spud (170 cm)

Shortest competitor in NBA All-Star Weekend Slam Contest history. Moreover - in 1986 Webb won it! But in order to score from above into the ring, installed at a height of 305 cm, you need to take out your hand with the ball almost three and a half meters from the floor. But the advantage of small stature is light weight and, as a result, increased volatility. And it was not difficult for little Webb to take off above the basket: with a vertical jump, he was 110 cm off the floor! Above - 120 - only the legendary Michael Jordan flew. However, our story is not about him.

Nate Robinson (175 cm)

Spud Webb competed in top-dash competitions not only as a star but also as a dummy. It was over him that Nate Robinson jumped over in 2006, who eventually became the winner. Seven years later, the New York defender went even further and decided to jump over Superman himself - Dwight Howard. In total, Robinson has won three slamdunk competitions throughout his career. And this is also an NBA record.

Becky Hammon (168 cm)

Our list would be incomplete without domestic representatives. And although Rebecca Lynn Hammon was born in the United States, in 2008 she, speaking for CSKA Moscow, received Russian citizenship. After that, she played for the national team at two Olympics (in bronze Beijing 2008 and London 2012), becoming truly her own for her fans.

"Baby Becky" - so they still talk about her with tenderness in our country. However, Hammon was remembered not only for her small stature, but also for her outstanding basketball talent. Of course, she didn’t score from above, but her extraordinary vision of the site and a killer shot from any distance allowed her to go down in history as one of the main stars of the women’s NBA. And a year after the end of her career, Hammon surprised the basketball world again by entering the headquarters of the men's San Antonio and becoming the first full female coach in the history of the strongest league in the world. I wonder which of the assistants enjoys great authority with the head coach of the Spurs Greg Popovich: Hammon or our other old friend, two-time Euroleague champion with CSKA Ettore Messina?

The average height of basketball players is 185-190 centimeters. At the same time, in the history of world basketball there were many talented players with growth below 175 centimeters. We have compiled the top 10 shortest basketball players in the world.

10. Willie Somerset (173 cm)

Willie Somerset, photo: nasljerseys.com

Willie Somerset was the shortest professional basketball player in the 1960s to play in the NBA. However, Somerset spent only one season in the world's major basketball league.65/66, speaking for the Baltimore Bullets (now the Washington Wizards), and even then went to the floor in only eight meetings, having managed to score 45 points. At the same time, Somerset became the lowest basketball player who played in all three major North American basketball leagues: the National Basketball Association (NBA), the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). During his career, Somerset changed eight clubs, in 1971 he won the CBA championship with the Scranton Apollos, in the same year he was recognized as the most valuable player of the season, and in 19In 1969 he participated in the ABA All-Star Game.

Willie Somerset is not the only 173 cm basketball player. Don Martin, who played for the Providence Steamrollers in the late 40s, was the same height. And Charlie Criss became one of the legends of the Atlanta Hawks of the 70s and 90s, having played more than 400 games in the NBA.

9. Justin Lundako (172 cm)

Justin Lundako has the shortest height among basketball players who played in Russian leagues. Justin began his career at the age of 20 in Dynamo Maikop, where even with such a small stature he attracted attention with a productive game and spent an average of about 16 minutes on the court. However, Justin did not become a big star, eventually switching to business. In recent years, Justin Lundako was seen as a member of the KubGTU student basketball team, took part in amateur street basketball competitions.

Justin Lundako is the shortest Russian basketball player, he is a Russian citizen and lives in Krasnodar.

8. Nate Robinson (170-172 cm)

Nate Robinson, photo: theringer.com

There is a lot of controversy surrounding Nate Robinson's height. Different sources indicate from 175 to 172 cm. But those who met Nate in everyday life claim that his real height is closer to 170 cm, and extra centimeters are added due to sneakers. From early childhood, Robinson was distinguished by outstanding jumping ability, so already in his school years he easily scored from above, which attracted the attention of basketball scouts. In parallel, Robinson played football and even received a college scholarship thanks to this, but eventually chose basketball and made his NBA debut in 2005 as part of the New York Knicks. He then played for seven more NBA clubs, but in 2016, Nate began to lose competition for a place in the lineup and changed the New Orleans Pelicans to the Israeli Hapoel.

In 2019, Robinson plays for the Lebanese Omenetmen and still hopes to return to the NBA.

Nate Robinson is the smallest basketball player among those who managed to win the NBA All-Star Game dunk contest twice and the only one in the world who was able to do this three times in his career (2006, 2009 and 2010).

7. Wat Misaka, Monty Tow, Keith Jennings, Greg Grant (170 cm)

On the seventh line of our ranking of the shortest basketball players, there are four players at once, whose height is officially 170 cm.

Wat Misaka played only three games with the New York Knicks in the 1947-48 season and scored seven points, but never reached the proper level and ended his professional career.

Monty Thau also played too little - only two seasons with the Denver Nuggets in the mid-1970s, after which he switched to coaching. At the same time, his personal track record is somewhat richer than that of Misaki. Monty won the 1974 NCAA Collegiate Championship and was an ABA All-Star in 1976 year.

Monti Tau, photo: newsobserver.com

Keith Jennings played in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors, but stayed with the Warriors for only three seasons, having managed to play 164 games and score 1090 points. Then Jennings went to travel around Europe, having managed to change three French and two Spanish clubs, looked into Turkey, where he played for Fenerbahce, and even appeared in the unique St. Petersburg Lions project, which lasted only one season. Jennings then switched to coaching.

Greg Grant had the longest career of the four, playing in the NBA from 1989 to 1996. Grant changed 6 clubs, played 274 matches and scored 767 points. Subsequently, Grant played in the Mexican team "Mexico Aztecas" and the Puerto Rican "Capitanes de Arecibo", and also "dusted" in the lower American leagues.

Greg Grant, photo: tcnjsignal.net

6. Herm Klotz (170 cm)

Herm Klotz is the shortest NBA champion. Klotz won his title in the ABA, which is considered the forerunner of the major basketball league of our time. It happened in season 1947/48, and this season was the only one in Klotz's career that was held at the highest level. Herm Klotz played for the Baltimore Bullets, but played only 11 games in which he scored 15 points. Before that, Klotz performed well at the level of college basketball, but this was not enough for a successful career in the NBA.

5. Webb recession (168-170 cm)

Webb Spud (center), photo: si.com

Anthony Jerome Webb (Spud Webb) is a legend among undersized basketball players. Back in high school and college, Webb, whose height, according to various sources, was 168 or 170 cm, was distinguished by incredible speed and good jumping ability, which allowed him to score more than 10 points per game and regularly score from the top. At 19In 1985, Webb was drafted by the Detroit Pistons, but immediately traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where the short defender played until 1991. Then Webb played for the Sacramento Kings, returned to Atlanta, moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and even made a year-long voyage to the Italian Verona.

Spud Webb is the shortest basketball player ever to win a dunk contest. Webb did this as part of the 1986 All-Star Game.

4. Mel Hirsch (168 cm)

Mel Hirsch is the shortest basketball player among those who lasted no more than one season in professional basketball. Hirsch began his basketball career in the army, from 1943 playing for the officer team of his squadron. After being retired, Hirsch tried his hand at professional sports and played the 1946–47 season with the Boston Celtics. However, Hirsch did not play much, in his asset only 13 matches appear, in which the former military man scored 19 points. Both high competition and health problems prevented him from continuing his career. At 19Mel Hirsch died of leukemia in 1968.

3. Earl Boykins (165 cm)

Earl Boykins, photo: wikipedia.org

Earl Boykins's height is only 165 cm, but he did not go out on the floor in the middle of the last century, when his height would not look so unusual, but in the 2000s of the dominance of tall guys. At the same time, Boykins was not selected in the draft, but this did not prevent him from entering into short-term and annual contracts with NBA clubs. In 1999, Boykins played five games for the New Jersey Nets, then played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors. Boykins played for the Denver Nuggets from 2003 to 2007. This is his longest spell at the same club. Earl then went back to changing clubs almost every season, and in 2008/09even played in the Italian Virtus.

Earl Boykins played in 644 games in the NBA, in which he scored 5752 points, becoming one of the highest scoring players with a growth under 175 cm.

2. Barney Sedran (163 cm)

Barney Sedran, photo: icollector.com

Barney Sedran (parental surname Sedransky) was born in New York in 1891. Sedran is the shortest basketball player of the first half of the 20th century. Sedran began his professional career around 1910, and completed in the early 1920s, switching to coaching. According to some reports, Sedran was the highest paid basketball player of his time, but the exact amount of his salary is unknown.

In 1962, Barney Cedran was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and became the shortest player to be so honored.

1. Mugsy Bogz (160 cm)

Mugsy Bogz, photo: postandcourier.com

Tyrone Curtis "Mugsy" Bogues is officially the shortest basketball player in the world. His height is only 160 cm, but this did not prevent him from being effective on the site. The career of the shorty, nicknamed the "robber" began at 1987, when he was selected by the Washington Bullets in the draft under the 12th number, for which Bogz played only one season. Bogz then moved to the Charlotte Hornets, where he played from 1988 to 1997. At the end of his career, Bogz spent two seasons each with the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors. In addition to being the shortest player in the NBA, Mugsy Bogz also holds the title of the shortest world champion, which he won as a student at the 1986 World Cup in Spain. After the end of his career, Bogz went into business, managed to train the Charlotte Sting women's team and wrote an autobiographical book, In the Land of the Giants.

Out of competition

For current NBA players, the 2018/19 shortest title belongs to guard Isaiah Thomas of the Denver Nuggets. Officially, his height is 175 cm, but the real height, according to some experts, may be 1-2 centimeters lower. Thomas is still continuing his career, but has already managed to chalk up several interesting achievements.

Isaiah Thomas is the shortest multiple All-Star, the shortest player to score 50 points in a single game, and the shortest player to record a triple-double.

Also noteworthy is Calvin Murphy, who played in the NBA in the 1970s, but due to his "too tall" height of 175 cm, did not make it into our rating. Despite his height, Murphy set a number of unique achievements. He became the shortest player inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame to play during the NBA era. Murphy is also the lowest among basketball players whose number has been retired. Calvin is the only basketball player with a height of 175 cm and below managed to play more than 1000 games in the NBA. Murphy became the shortest basketball player to break the 10,000 mark in the NBA.

wikiHow is a wiki, which means that many of our articles are written by multiple authors. When creating this article, 151 people worked on editing and improving it, including anonymously.

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Playing basketball requires innate skill, but you can become a good player if you properly shape your body, train properly, and master the tricks of the game. Good basketball players give their all in training to improve their performance on the court, and they have certain personal qualities that are valued by coaches.

What height is needed for basketball and how can it be increased?

You don't have to be an expert in team sports to understand that tall basketball players are usually more successful than those who are shorter. There are exceptions, but they only confirm the general rule. In this regard, this begs the question, what height is needed for basketball? It is noticeable that there are no low people in this sport, but not every basketball player reaches two meters in height. In this article, we will look at how important height is for a basketball player, what it should be. You will learn a lot about an interesting game, and you will also get an answer to the question: is it true that basketball makes people taller.

Physical strength in basketball is not the key to success. Its use is limited by a number of strict rules:

  • the dribbler must not be pushed or touched on the hands;
  • kicking the ball is prohibited;
  • brawls on the court are punishable by free kicks and expulsions.

A strong person will not necessarily be successful in this sport. The main criterion is different, and this is growth.

Why are basketball players tall?

It is easy to see that professional basketball players are always taller than average. It can be assumed that initially only very tall guys go to this sport, but this is not so. It would be more correct to say that tall athletes are more likely to succeed. The basket is located high enough, the higher the growth, the easier it is to get into it, as well as to catch the ball in a jump.

This is not the only reason. Players are constantly training, doing dynamic stretching, relieving the spine from excessive stress by jumping. Therefore, their height will not become smaller due to poor posture, as is often the case with people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

What should be the height?

When the NBA was in its infancy, the average height of team members was 188 cm. By the 80s of the last century, this bar had risen by 10 cm. At the moment, growth averages 195-198 cm. There are distributions in terms of positions, for example, the height of the point guards is 188 cm, the center players are 211. Such indicators make it possible to achieve success.

As far as high school teams are concerned, basketball players are usually no taller than their non-playing peers. On average, for guys aged 16, it is 175-177 cm. Therefore, parents may not wonder if their child is suitable for basketball in height, it is better to see if he really has the data necessary for this.

Qualities important for basketball:

  • dexterity. This is a defining parameter, it gives a competitive advantage on the site;
  • flexibility. The range of motion of body parts depends on stretching, it determines how dexterous a person will be;
  • speed. The game is very dynamic, and those people who can run fast are in priority. It is also important to make decisions quickly, often split seconds are allotted for its adoption;
  • endurance. Without stamina, it will not be possible to remain productive throughout the game;
  • maneuverability. Basketball players very quickly change from one position to another, they must be maneuverable so as not to interfere with comrades and easily bypass rivals.

If a child has these qualities, then he can be given to the basketball section. He will be more likely to succeed than less agile and flexible peers. Growth is an important but not the only criterion for success. There are standards, but at all times there have been exceptions to the general rules. For example, Tyrone Curtis Bogz, the shortest NBA player for the entire period of the existence of this organization, his height is only 160 cm. And Gheorghe Dumitru Muresan became the tallest, his height is as much as 231 cm.

Parents often send their boys to training because they want them to grow up tall. Let's see how it is justified.

Will it be possible to grow?

It is believed that playing basketball as a child helps boys grow up and become tall. Many parents believe in him. Moreover, it can be heard from the coaches of the children's sections. They motivate their point of view by the fact that basketball training is a constant dynamic stretching. Jumping and throwing the ball relieve the spine from excessive stress, allowing it to grow freely and unhindered.

The fact that parents believe in this and send their children to sports is good. Reasonably selected physical activity positively affects the general state of health, makes people stronger physically and morally, and instills self-discipline. But you should not rely heavily on sports, since the last word will still remain with genetics.

It is impossible to influence genes through training.

Basketball players differ from non-athletic people and representatives of other sports not only in height. You can see with the naked eye that they have longer arms than the average person. Based on this, we can conclude that frequent throws and other basketball movements still have an effect on the growth of bones and other body structures.

Let's consider all the factors that basketball affects the growth of the body and limbs:

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