Whenever we watch NBA basketball players, they charm us with their talent and looks, but there is another eye-catching factor; Height! These towering figures are around seven feet and have strong strength to give a tough fight against the opponent team.
However, it’s an old story to multiple heights by talent. Nowadays, height doesn’t matter, and several NBA players aren’t tall enough. Although whenever they present their teams, they win the match and the audience’s hearts too.
If you are short in height but love to play basketball, chin up, my boy! There are top ten players who are short but have big dreams to chase. So, without wasting time! Let’s start this journey of the best shortest center NBA players, proving a size is just a number.
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What is the Duty of Center NBA?
Let’s start with the full description of the duty of a center basketball player and why it is important. Center players are mostly the team’s tallest and strongest players because they are positioned under the basket.
The abilities required to become a center player are physical strength with dominance. In offensive game strategy, center players don’t score beyond or midrange from the arch. Rather, these players try close shots and offensive rebounds.
On the other hand, in Defensive strategy, center players block the opponent’s shots and reverse misses. And pass the ball according to the strategy or fight for the rebounds because of the tall height advantage.
But this thinking has changed, and coaches are now looking for alternative strategies. This is why most teams appoint shortest center NBA athletes for swift and striking performance.
Who is the Shortest Center in NBA History?
Wes Unseld is one of the shortest center NBA centers at 6’7 feet. He owns the NBA name as one of the most valuable players and NBA Rookie of the Year. Also, he joined Wilt Chamberlain in NBA history by achieving the feat.
That’s not all; he bags the NBA championship with the bullets in MVP awards. So, this guy has reversed the rules of being taller and stronger. He knows how to offend and defend his team perfectly by using his strong physical body. Despite his shortness, people look at his talent and sportsmanship.
The strategy was crystal clear to guard a post-up center. So the opponent team stays away from the basket by around five feet. Despite his height, he chooses arm length to toss the ball over players.
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Does the Shortest center in NBA ever win the MVP award?
Yes! Multiple shortest centers in NBA players have won MVP awards for their flawless and striking performances. Performance and sportsmanship mesmerized the basketball players and created a new history for generations.
Here is the list of shortest center NBA players achieving the most precious award.
Iverson is the shortest and lightest basketball athlete who owns the MVP award. And not just one, but held three consecutive MVP awards from 1984 to 1986 by setting an example of hard work and implementation.
Recently, Nikola Jokic was a mind-blowing NBA player from 2021 – 2022 and grabbed the shortest center NBA award. He took the league individually for the second consecutive year.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Short Center in basketball?
No doubt, height plays a huge role in the performance and might impact the scores too. The taller height can make it easy for you to play for a long pass or shoot the basket.
However, this rule is not compulsory if you follow your dreams and passion. Short players have their benefits but need to double their hard work. In both scenarios, height has some advantages and disadvantages in the NBA.
So, let’s start discussing how height impacts the game and how you can upgrade your strategy.
Advantages of Shorter Height
Short height is the tread from the opponent team on the basketball court. Short athletes are faster than taller ones, as they can quickly change direction, jump, and dodge from one place to another.
But these are all achieved by tons of practice and hard work. Using arm length and fast running is a winning strategy.
Disadvantage of Short Height
There is no such thing as a disadvantage to being the shortest center NBA. Due to height being one of the factors, among other aspects. Being short is not a choice, but fast shooting and bouncy can be achieved through hard work.
Moreover, ball handling is taught, but drilling between two balls training can upgrade your skills. So challenge yourself to improve your game strategy and take the win.
Who are the Famous Shortest Center NBA Basketball Players?
These players have undoubtedly pushed the limit of hard work and achievements. NBA shortest center players are one of the greatest legends to achieve awards and mind-blasting careers.
So, here we go to the top five shortest players that inspire the generation.
Chuck Hayes is the shortest center NBA player at 6’6 feet height. His dedication and hard work paid off, as he tops our list. In 2006, he was signed by the Houston Rockets at the beginning of his career.
The fun fact is Chucks was drafted from the NBA during the 2005 season. (New Drafted 2023) Later on, he was dropped by Houston and selected by the NBA’s sixth player in the development team. However, now he is retired and coaches for the Denver Nuggets.
Wes Unseld is second on our list, 6’7 feet tall. He was one of the best center players of his time and spent his entire NBA career with Washington Bullets and Louisville Cardinals college league.
Due to his outclass performance, he was the NBA draft’s second preference for Bullets in 1968. As we already mentioned about his great and crazy career and achievements. He is among the best players and is admired by younger athletes.
Boris Diaw has a well-known reputation for playing with the San Antonio Spurs. Although he was not a center player, he held the forward position. But due to his teammate’s injury, he handled the center and entered our list as the shortest center NBA player.
No matter what, Diaw was a top-notch player as a forward point and a center player at 6’8 feet. He gave a tough fight to opponents’ teams and made them suffer. And he held multiple assists, rebounds, and blocks per game in 2006 NBA tournaments.
Kenneth Faried: Regarding height, Boris and Kenneth tie in this competition. Similarly, he is also 6’8 foot tall and a power forward and center NBA position player. During his career and hustle on the court, he was called ‘The Minimal.”
He was twice named player of the year of the Ohio Valley Conference and led his career as NCAA full-time rebounder.
Ben Wallace lastly, at 6’9, he is one of the shortest center basketballers. He is remembered as aggressive and smart gameness to combat for a rebound with opponents. The formidable defensive player of the NBA holds the four Players of the Year Award.
Two appearances in the NBA finals led his team to win the championship in 2004. However, he had a stroke of bad luck as he is an undrafted NBA player to be inaugurated with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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