Besides their gigantic heights, many NBA players have significant body weights. However, few aren’t gifted in weight and height but have still made names in the game.
The post, therefore, highlights some of the lightest NBA players who have shown outstanding performance in their profession.
Such players have employed other skills such as swiftness, accuracy in shooting, and creativity in the court to counter their lightweight.
Top 9 Lightest NBA Players
Trae Young
Weight: 164 lb.
Height: 6’1″
Years of experience in the NBA: since 2018
Nationality: American
Position: Point Guard
Date of Birth: September 19th, 1998
Trae Young hasn’t let his lightweight stop him from excelling in the sport when playing the point guard position. In the NCAA, Young has set the record as the only player ever to have led in assists and points in one season.
Even before turning professional, Trae Young’s performance shone as he played for the Norman North High School and the University of Oklahoma. After turning professional in the 2018 NBA draft, he has won the NBA Player of the Week 6 times and NBA Rookie of the Month 4 times.
Besides, the Atlanta Hawks NBA player has appeared in the All-NBA Rookie Team and All-NBA once.
Tyrell Terry
Weight: 160 lb.
Height: 6’2″
Years of experience in the NBA: 3 years, 2020 to 2022
Nationality: American
Position: Point Guard
Date of Birth: September 28th, 2000
While playing for DelaSalle High School, Tyrell helped his team win five consecutive titles and thus setting a record in Minnesota. During his college career, in 2019, Tyrell registered a high shooting accuracy and thus advertised his abilities.
And sure enough, he realized success in the 2020 NBA draft by joining the Dallas Mavericks. During his three years in the NBA league, Tyrell Terry played for Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Hustle.
However, due to mental health challenges, he resigned from the NBA and sought early retirement.
Isaiah Joe
Weight: 165 lb.
Height: 6’3″
Years of experience in the NBA: 3 years, 2020 to 2022
Nationality: American
Position: Shooting Guard
Date of Birth: July 2nd, 1999
Currently, Isaiah is a professional basketball player and belongs to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Back in high school, he played for the Northside and Arkansas in college basketball. After a successful college basketball career, Joe declared for the 2020 NBA draft.
In that draft, Joe emerged as the 49th overall best of the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round. And in the three years he has been in the NBA league, Isaiah has appeared in the All-SEC Freshman team of 2019.
Though young in experience, his lightweight hasn’t stood in his way of registering exemplary performance.
Bones Hyland
Weight: 169 lb.
Height: 6’2″
Years of experience in the NBA: 2 years
Nationality: American
Position: Shooting Guard
Date of Birth: September 14th, 2000
From playing VCU college basketball Bones progressed to become a professional American basketball player in the 2021 NBA draft. And since he joined the NBA league, he has played for two teams; Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.
While with the Denver Nuggets, Hyland helped his team win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite his slim frame and lightweight, Bones showed impressive defensive playing potential. Even as a rookie, he displayed impressive performance in the stints of time he was on the court.
His major winnings include making an appearance in the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team, First Team All –Atlantic and NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Still, Bones has won the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year award.
Kira Lewis Jr
Weight: 170 lb.
Height: 6’1″
Years of experience in the NBA: 3 years
Nationality: American
Position: Point Guard
Date of Birth: April 6th, 2001
Though young and light in weight, Kira Lewis has lightning speed and the ability to penetrate the defense. And several analysts acknowledge him as the fastest among the 2020 draft class.
Since he joined the NBA league, Lewis has played for the New Orleans Pelican and the Birmingham Squadron. As a confirmation of his ability, Lewis has appeared in the SEC All-Freshman Team and First Team All-Sec.
Dennis Shrodder
Weight: 172 lb.
Height: 6’1″
Years of experience in the NBA: 10 years
Nationality: German
Position: Point Guard
Date of Birth: September 15th, 1993
Dennis Shrodder started playing professional basketball in 2010 as a member of the SG Braunschweig team. Then in the 2013 NBA draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected him as their 17th-best in the first round.
The German NBA player has superb speed and changes paces on the court quickly. As a result, he plays his point guard position well. In his career, Dennis Shrodder has played for teams such as Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, and Toronto Raptors.
Over the past years, Dennis has been named BBL Best German Young Player, BBL Most Improved Player, and NBA Player of the Week.
Scotty Pippen Jr.
Weight: 170 lb.
Height: 6’1″
Years of experience in the NBA: since 2022
Nationality: American
Position: Point Guard
Date of Birth: November 10th, 2000
Scotty Pippen Jr. has learned how to compensate for his short stature and lightweight by being a playmaker on the court. During play, he maintains an outstanding view of the court, creates opportunities, and connects with teammates very well.
Though undrafted, Scotty Pippen Jr. has played for famous teams including Los Angeles Lakers and South Bay Lakers. And in that period, he has appeared twice in the First Team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman Team, and NBA G League Team up next game 2023.
Spud Webb
Weight: 133lb
Height: 5’6″
Years of experience in the NBA: 1985 to 1997
Nationality: American
Position: Point Guard
Considering he stands 5 ‘6” and has a listed weight of 133 lbs, most people would doubt Anthony Jeremy’s ability to thrive in the NBA. However, the former professional basketball player trounced those odds and even won the NBA Slam Dunk contest.
After he entered the league via the 1985 NBA draft, he played for many big teams. That includes Rhode Island Gulls, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic.
During his 12 years playing career in the NBA, Spud Webb played a total of 814 games. And in that period, he averaged 9.9 points, 5.3 assists in every game, and a sum of 8072 points.
Earl Boykins
Weight: 133lb
Height: 5’5″
Years of experience in the NBA: 14 years, from 1998 to 2012
Nationality: American
Position: Point Guard
In NBA history, Earl Boykins stands as the second shortest player and among the lightest professional NBA players. Even in high school and college life, Earl registered promising performance.
His contributions saw Cleveland Central Catholic High School and Eastern Michigan University earn several victories.
Unlike many drafted pro basketball players, Earl Boykins began his professional career via short-term contracts with various teams. One of his top contracts includes the $13.7 million 5-year term with the Denver Nuggets.
Notwithstanding his lightness, Earl Boykins had a successful career. His major awards include winning EuroChallenge Champion 2009, twice appearing in the first All-MAC and MAC tournament MVP awards. Earl ended his NBA career with an average of 8.9 points and 3.2 assists per game.
Conclusion
When talking about the lightest NBA players, the above names appear in the list. Although Basketball game requires height and stamina, some players like Trae Young have excelled despite their lightweight.
Such players make up for their light weight by developing swiftness of speed, high shooting accuracy, and agility on the court.
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