Basketball is a dynamic sport and people with good height often have a significant advantage while playing. They dominated the court with their towering height and skills. However, the WNBA has consistently proven that size does not define skills. There have been several exceptional players in the league who surprised everyone with their abilities and became an inspiration for everyone. On that note, let’s have a look at some of the shortest players in the history of the WNBA.
#10 Shyla Heal – 5’6″
The Australian basketball player Shayla Heal has made a great name for herself in the league. She began her WNBA career at just 14 and developed herself with the South East Queensland Stars. The 5 ‘6 Shyla was drafted into the WNBA in 2021 and was selected by the Chicago Sky in the first round. She played only four games before moving to the Dallas Wings in July 2021.
#9 Andrea Riley – 5’5″
Andrea Riley began her WNBA career with the Los Angeles Sparks. She is just 5’5 but a great player. She was drafted by the Sparks in 2010. Later, she also played with teams like the Tulsa Rocks and the Phoenix Mercury. Before entering the league, Riley used to play college basketball for the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and was once selected as the Nancy Lieberman Award winner. She was the leading scorer in that season with 26.7 points per game.
#8 Dymond Simon – 5’5″
Born in 1989, Dymond Simon is a basketball player who is especially known for her leadership, versatility and tenacity on the court. Following her career at ASU, Simon began a professional basketball journey, playing overseas in various leagues, including the Women’s National Basketball League in Australia and the Israeli Women’s Basketball Premier League. In the WNBA, she played for the Phoenix Mercury.
#7 Heather Butler- 5’5″
Butler was an amazing basketball player during her college time and led Tennessee-Martin to four Ohio Valley Conference titles. She finished her career as the top scorer in Ohio Valley Conference history with 2,865 points. Butler was also named the 2014 OVC Player of the Year and ranked ninth in the nation in scoring with 23.6 points per game. The 5’5″ player went undrafted in the 2014 WNBA draft, but later she signed a training camp contract with the San Antonio Stars. Heather played 11 games for the Stars during the 2014 season.
#6 Crystal Dangerfield – 5’5″
Dangerfield was an exceptional player during her high school career, which made her the top-ranking guard in the country. She was drafted in the second round of the 2020 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx and had an amazing debut season. Crystal was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year. As of the 2023 season, she is currently the shortest player in the league. Dangerfield has intuitive ball-handling skills and the ability to create scoring opportunities. She currently plays for the Dallas Wings.
#5 Leilani Mitchell – 5’5″
Mitchell was drafted 25th overall in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury but was soon traded to the New York Liberty. At the beginning, she was just a bench player, but soon made the professional start of her career and gained a lot of popularity through her fearless game. While playing for the Liberty, Mitchell won the WNBA Most Improved Player award. Her brilliant performances that season demonstrated her development and determination to excel in the sport.
#4 Brooke McCarty-Williams – 5’4″
McCarty-Williams was undrafted in the 2018 WNBA draft, but she participated in the training camp of the Los Angeles Sparks. However, she was cut from the roster. The following year, she participated in the training camp of the Dallas Wings and finally made it to the roster. Brooke made her WNBA debut on May 24, 2019 in a game against the Atlanta Dream. She played for about 30 minutes and scored 8 points. Despite not finding immediate success in the WNBA, she continued her basketball journey and played throughout Europe. McCarty-Williams was especially known for her incredible skills on the court. Brooke’s determination for the game allowed her to showcase her talent on a global stage.
#3 Temeka Johnson: 5’3″
Johnson was the 6th overall pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. Being 5’3″ she was underestimated to play professional basketball. But she made her mark as a skilled point guard in the WNBA. Tameka established herself as a tenacious player and became well known for her lightning speed and ball-handling skills. She became a key asset throughout her WNBA career. Tameka also played internationally for Israel and Poland.
#2 Debbie Black – 5’2″
The former professional basketball player Debbie Black was known for her agility, tenacity, and tireless energy on the court. She played for St. Joseph’s University in college and excelled as a point guard, earning many accolades. Debbie had an uncanny ability to shut down opposing attacks and earned a reputation as one of the best defenders in WNBA history. Her exceptional anticipation and determination used to frustrate opponents and create fast break opportunities for her team.
#1 Shannon Bobbitt – 5’2″
Shannon Bobbitt is the shortest player in the history of the WNBA. She is best known for her time with the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers, where she won two consecutive NCAA championships in 2007 and 2008. Bobbitt was the 15th overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks and played for them that year. In her rookie season, Bobbitt played a key role in helping the Sparks reach the WNBA Finals. In the later years of her career, she also played for the Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics.
Also Read:- Top 10 Tallest Female Players in the History of WNBA
