10 Shortest WNBA Player of All Time to Ever Play the Game

In the WNBA, where physical strength is important for the game, shorter players consistently demonstrate that basketball IQ, quickness, and skill can triumph over height. Point guards, often the shortest on the court, are the engines of their teams. Legends like Becky Hammon (5'6") and Ticha Penicheiro (5'11") revolutionized the point guard position with their exceptional court vision, passing, and leadership, despite not being tall.

More recently, players like Courtney Vandersloot (5'8") continue to dominate with their elite playmaking and ability to control the pace of the game. Even shorter players like Debbie Black (5'2.5"), known as "The Pest," earned Defensive Player of the Year, showcasing that tenacity and agility are invaluable. In this article, we have mentioned the Top 10 shortest WNBA players of all time.

Who is the Shortest WNBA Player of All Time?

The shortest WNBA player of all time is Shannon Robbitt with a height of 5'2''. Shannon Bobbitt was drafted in 2008 by the Los Angeles Sparks. She showed everyone that height is not a factor to rely on; if a person has game skill and defensive capacity, a person can easily win a game. She had a successful college career, winning two NCAA championships with the University of Tennessee before entering the WNBA where she played for several teams during her WNBA career, which includes the Sparks, Indiana Fever, and Washington Mystics.

Top 10 Shortest WNBA Players of All Time

As per the WNBA stats, we know all the players with their personal data, from which we can easily say who is the shortest WNBA player in history. In the table below, we have ranked all the shortest players in WNBA history​ with their heights:

#10: Shyla Heal (5'6")

Shyla Heal, standing at 5'6" (1.68m), primarily plays as a point guard. Her height placed her in 10th position among the top 10 shortest WNBA players ever. Heal was drafted 8th overall in the first round of the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. Her tenure with the Sky was brief; after playing just four games, she was traded to the Dallas Wings, who subsequently waived her.

Despite her limited WNBA playing time, her impact is more evident in her international career and her persistent pursuit of WNBA opportunities. She is well-known among all the fans for her scoring abilities, consistency, and shooting skills. She has proved herself to be a wonderful basketball player despite of her short height. As she has recently signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury for the 2025 season, continuing her efforts to establish a lasting WNBA career.

#9: Andrea Riley (5'5")

Andrea Riley, standing at 5'5" (1.65m), played as a point guard in the WNBA. Despite her relatively small stature in a league of towering athletes, Riley was known for her scoring ability and quickness, which she gained during a college career at Oklahoma State University. She was drafted as 8th overall in the first round of the 2010 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Her WNBA career also included stints with the Tulsa Shock (2011) and the Phoenix Mercury (2012), before a brief return to the Sparks in 2012.

Despite not having a long WNBA tenure, Riley's impact, particularly in college, demonstrated how smaller players can dominate through skill and aggression. Her ability to create her own shot showcased that height is not the sole determinant of success in professional basketball. Her college accolades, including being the Nancy Lieberman Award recipient (the nation's top point guard), highlight her exceptional talent and fierce competitiveness.

#8: Dymond Simon (5'5")

Dymond Simon, at 5'5" (1.65m), played as a point guard and has occupied the 8th position in the shortest WNBA players list. Despite being undrafted in 2011, she made it to the WNBA and played for the Phoenix Mercury in the 2012 season. Her WNBA career was brief, spanning just eight games.

However, her impact, particularly at the college level for Arizona State, highlighted how shorter players can excel through tenacity and skill. She has achieved many awards and titles, which includes a two-time All-Pac-10 selection (First-Team in 2011, Second-Team in 2009) and a McDonald's All-American in high school. Despite her limited WNBA tenure, Simon showcased the relentless drive and fundamental skills that allowed her to compete at the highest levels of basketball despite her height, a characteristic common among successful shorter players in the league.

#7: Crystal Dangerfield (5'5")

Crystal Dangerfield, at 5'5'' (1.65m), currently a free agent, has placed herself in the 7th position in the top 10 shortest WNBA players in history. Her WNBA career averages include 7.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 0.7 steals. Despite her relatively shorter stature in a league of towering athletes, she has made a significant impact since entering the league.

Dangerfield was drafted 16th overall in the second round of the 2020 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx. In her rookie season, she defied expectations by stepping into a starting role due to injuries and went on to win the 2020 WNBA Rookie of the Year award, becoming the lowest draft pick to ever receive the honor. Her fans has seen her play for several WNBA teams, including the Indiana Fever (2022), New York Liberty (2022), Dallas Wings (2023), Atlanta Dream (2024), and most recently the Los Angeles Sparks (2024). She demonstrates that elite guard play, characterized by speed, precise passing, and smart decision-making, can be just as crucial as height in the WNBA.

#6: Heather Butler (5'5")

Heather Butler, at 5'5" (1.65m), played as a guard and has occupied the 6th position in the shortest WNBA players list. Despite going undrafted in the 2014 WNBA Draft, she earned a spot in the league with the San Antonio Stars (now the Las Vegas Aces) for the 2014 season. Her WNBA career was brief, spanning just eleven games.

However, Butler's true impact, especially considering her height, was felt at the collegiate level for the University of Tennessee-Martin. She finished her college career as the all-time leading scorer in Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) history with 2,865 points, which also ranked 16th on the NCAA's all-time scoring list at the time. She scored in double figures in 129 consecutive games (every game of her career), a streak ranking among the longest in NCAA history. Her exceptional scoring ability, sharp shooting (including tying an NCAA record for career three-pointers made at 392), and relentless offensive game allowed her to dominate regardless of her size, leaving an undeniable legacy in college basketball.

#5: Leilani Mitchell (5'5")

Leilani Mitchell, standing at 5'5" (1.65m), is a seasoned point guard known for her sharp shooting and playmaking and has occupied the 5th position in the shortest WNBA player in history list. Drafted 25th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2008, she was immediately traded to the New York Liberty, where she spent the first six seasons of her WNBA career (2008-2013). She later returned to the Phoenix Mercury (2015, 2017-2019) and also played for the Washington Mystics (2016, 2020-2021).

She is the only player in WNBA history to win the Most Improved Player Award twice (2010, 2019), a testament to her continuous development and impact. Her scores and playing technique with high basketball IQ have proved that strategic play can overcome physical stature.

#4: Brooke McCarty-Williams (5'4")

Brooke McCarty-Williams, standing at 5'4" (1.63m), plays as a guard, primarily a point guard, known for her scoring and playmaking, and has occupied the 4th position in the shortest WNBA player of all time list. Though undrafted in the 2018 WNBA Draft, she earned a spot with the Dallas Wings in 2019, playing in 34 games during her single WNBA season.

While her WNBA tenure was brief, McCarty-Williams's impact, particularly given her height, was profoundly evident in her collegiate career at the University of Texas. With her skills in scoring, shooting, and strong leadership, she has proved that skill can overcome physical size. She has continued her professional career successfully overseas in leagues in Sweden, Finland, and Mexico. Her WNBA career averages include 2.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.5 steals.

#3: Tameka Johnson (5'3")

Tameka Johnson, standing at 5'3" (1.60m), was a dynamic point guard known for her exceptional playmaking and leadership, and is well known as one of the shortest WNBA player ever. Drafted as the 6th overall pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics, she immediately made an impact, earning WNBA Rookie of the Year honors in her debut season.

Throughout her 11-year WNBA career, Johnson played for multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Sparks (2006-2008, 2015), Phoenix Mercury (2009-2011), Tulsa Shock (2012), and Seattle Storm (2013-2014). She also helped her team to win the championship in 2009 with her game plan. Tameka's WNBA career averages include 8.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steals. Her aggressive, high-energy play, incredible quickness, and ability to disrupt opposing offenses far outweighed any perceived disadvantage in height.

#2: Debbie Black (5'2.5")

Debbie Black, often listed at 5'2.5" (1.59m), was a legendary point guard in the WNBA, famously earning the nickname "The Pest" for her relentless defensive intensity. She was drafted 15th overall in the 1999 WNBA Draft by the Utah Starzz. She later played for the Miami Sol (2000-2002) and concluded her WNBA career with the Connecticut Sun (2003-2004).

Being one of the shortest player in WNBA history, she made an impact with her defense and her game plan. She was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 and led the league in steals that same year. Her aggressive, high-energy play, incredible quickness, and ability to disrupt opposing offenses far outweighed any perceived disadvantage in height. Her WNBA career averages include 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 steals.

#1: Shannon Bobbitt (5'2")

Shannon Bobbitt, standing at 5'2" (1.57m), is a dynamic point guard who made her mark in the WNBA and has occupied the 1st position in the shortest WNBA player of all time list. She was drafted 15th overall in the second round of the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Bobbitt's WNBA career included stints with the Los Angeles Sparks (2008-2009), Indiana Fever (2010), and Washington Mystics (2011). She was a key player for her team despite of her short height; she was well known for her quickness, agility, and defensive intensity. Her strong collegiate background, including winning two NCAA Championships with the University of Tennessee, showcased her ability to perform at the highest levels of the game. Bobbitt's professional career is an example of how smaller players can be a key player in the WNBA through her effort, speed, and guard skills can overcome physical stature.