Despite the fact that basketball is recognized for towering guys shooting hoops, racing about the court, and slam dunking balls into rims, several very tiny sportsmen have left their mark on the sport. Despite their diminutive size, these individuals have amazing leaping ability, out jumping many of their taller colleagues and opponents.

Chris Paul, Nate Robinson, Allen Iverson, Will Bynum, and Ty Lawson are among the NBA’s numerous small players. Spudd Webb, on the other hand, is the smallest person to ever dunk in basketball.

Basketball is more favorable to taller players, but small athletes should not be overlooked. Continue reading to find out more about the 6 shortest dunkers in NBA history.

Top 6 Shortest Dunkers in NBA History

The NBA has developed a large fan following over the years as a result of the players’ incredible performances and dunks, and it does not appear that this will change anytime soon. But, let’s face it, these guys are colossi, and others who are smaller have no hope. Here’s a list of the shortest NBA dunkers, who are possibly the same height as you or even shorter.

Chris Paul

Chris Paul, who is also known as “CP3,” is a point guard for the Houston Rockets and has been named to nine NBA All-Star teams. He was drafted in 2005 by the New Orleans Hornets but was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2011.

Paul’s height of 6’0″ makes him part of the shortest dunkers in NBA history. In fact, he is only an inch taller than Spud Webb and Muggsy Bogues. Chris Paul is one of the NBA’s top point guards. His talent, agility, court vision, and excellent defense have earned him a spot as a regular all-star and, perhaps, the best point guard in the game.

The only drawback is that he lacks dunking ability, however, he has a history of a few impressive dunks during his time with the Clippers. He is now a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Nate Robinson

Nate Robinson is one of the shortest players in NBA history. He has a height of 5’9”. He was drafted by the New York Knicks in 2005, and he played for them until 2009. Robinson was known for his high-flying dunks, including some that were considered to be among the best of all time.

The only three-time champion of the Slam Dunk Contest is an athletic freak! Nate Robinson was a football scholarship athlete in college who also excelled in track and field in high school. The three-time dunk champion has to be included on this list of the top shortest NBA dunkers.

At 5-9, he has the complete range of dunks often reserved for players taller than 6-4. In 2006, he demonstrated his incredible 43-inch vertical jump by blocking Yao Ming, who is nearly two feet taller. Robinson is also known for his high vertical leap. He was able to dunk from the free-throw line during his first two years in the NBA and from the 3-point line during his rookie season with Seattle.

Allen Iverson

A.I. nicknamed “The Answer,” began his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1996. He’s known for his badass moments and slamming the ball into the net whenever he gets the chance. This put-back slam against Marcus Camby is the finest illustration. Later in his career, he transferred his talent to Turkey, coaching the Beşiktaş in 2010.

This choice may be debatable, given most sources place Allen Iverson as 6’0 tall. But, to be honest, it’s still incredible. NBA teams (and players) are known for exaggerating height, and 6’0′′ is a particularly popular height among NBA players.

Iverson is known for his signature crossover dribble that he used to get past defenders. Some people have criticized him for not being as good as other players who are taller than him and others have praised him for being able to play with shorter players and still be successful.

Regardless of his height, Iverson is without a doubt one of the best short dunkers of all time. During his career, he dunked 40 times.

Will Bynum

Will Bynum, often known as “Will The Thrill” or “Bynumite,” went undrafted in the 2005 NBA draft and spent his first season in the NBA Development League, where he was named Rookie of the Year. He had a 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) height.

He wowed the Detroit Pistons in the summer league after a two-year stay in the Euroleague, and he finally earned his chance to play in the NBA. In the game between the Pistons and the Bobcats, the Pistons went on a 17-7 run in the second quarter, ignited by a Bynum dunk, to take an 11-point lead into the locker room. After the break, they didn’t skip a beat, outscoring the Bobcats 29-12 in the third. He is an excellent example of what can be accomplished if you never give up and work hard!

Ty Lawson

Ty Lawson is a 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) professional basketball player from Clinton, Maryland, who was born with the name Tywon Ronell Lawson. He was a member of the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings, among other NBA clubs. He is now with the Kolossus Rodou at the time of writing.

From 2009 until 2015, Lawson was a member of the Denver Nuggets, which gave him a head start in his career. He was a three-year starter for the University of North Carolina, but he was forced to leave in 2009 due to an ankle injury. He was then rated one of the finest NBA players under the age of six in subsequent years.

Ty Lawson is a one-foot dunker, which is astonishing considering how difficult it is for most players his height to do it. Last March 1, 2013, in the game of Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, Ty Lawson helped the team to an unbelievable triumph by nailing an absolute dagger and dunking in Russell Westbrook’s face to put the Nuggets ahead, 105-103—capping a relatively average game for the point guard.

Spudd Webb

Spudd Webb is the shortest player to dunk with a 5’7 ft. height. He has the record for being the shortest dunker to win the NBA small dunk contest. Webb, who is 5 feet 7 inches tall, is the shortest NBA dunker to win a mini dunk event.

Spudd Webb started playing basketball when he was 5 years old and quickly became a star player on his high school team. His skills caught the attention of many colleges and universities, but Spudd chose to stay close to home and play for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

In the final round of the 1986 tournament, he beat his teammate Dominique Wilkins (a great dunker himself) with two perfect 50s. To say the least, he blew everyone’s heads in 1986 when he out-dueled Dominique Wilkins with a “360 helicopter” and “180-degree reverse double-pump.” This only goes to show that you don’t have to be a giant to make significant moves.

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What is the minimum height for dunking?

This is a question that has been debated for decades. The answer to this question is not clear-cut and depends on the person’s height, arm length, and personal preference.

To dunk, you’ll need to be able to jump roughly 35 inches high, which is astounding even in professional sports. There are players in the NBA that can routinely make 40-inch running vertical leaps, allowing them to deliver stunning dunks in games.

Can you dunk if you’re short?

It is not the height that matters, but how you use your body. A person who is shorter than you can still dunk if they have a good vertical leap. Numerous short players like Nate Robinson and Spud Webb have demonstrated time and time again that vertically challenged athletes can nonetheless soar high. Consistent training and dedication are essential for achieving an exceptional vertical.

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Who is the best dunker in NBA history?

Vince Carter, by far is the best dunker in NBA history and has accomplished exploits that we never imagined were possible. 

While superstars like Zion Williamson may give him a run for his money in the future, Carter has the most dunking inventory online. In the immediate wake of Michael Jordan’s second retirement with the Chicago Bulls, Carter was instrumental in re-igniting interest in the NBA. His dunking prowess aided the NBA’s transition away from Michael Jordan and toward a world where popcorn clips, rather than complete games, are frequently consumed. There’s an argument to be made that Carter’s effect as a dunker outweighs his talent as a dunker, which is a preposterous thought in and of itself.

Final Words

A person who has a good vertical leap can still be shorter than you and not be able to dunk. If you are taller than 6 feet, then it is possible for you to dunk if your arm length is longer than your height. If the rim is lower than 8 feet and you can jump high enough, then it’s also possible for you to dunk if your arm length is longer than your height.

That concludes our lighthearted look at basketball’s shortest dunkers. And a little lesson in basketball dunking. If you still believe that height counts when it comes to dunking in basketball, you should consider reading this piece again.

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