Ever since the inception of basketball as a sport in the later 19th century, height has been the one dominant trait that gives a clear advantage in playing. Since the basketball rim stands 10 feet above the ground, obviously the closer a player is, the easier it is to score and block baskets. The basketball player and later profuse television commentator Bill Walton is fond of quoting “You can’t teach height,” which succinctly points out the obvious advantage that height gives a player above all other skills. In basketball short players are a rare find and in the professional league, they are even rarer. The shortest basketball player to ever play in the NBA is Mugsy Bogues.
