In a league where the average human looks like a literal giant, standing under six feet is basically an act of defiance. People always ask me who the current shortest NBA player is, thinking maybe it's some legendary vet hanging on by a thread. Nope. It’s a 24-year-old from Japan who plays with the kind of frantic energy that makes you tired just watching him.
His name is Yuki Kawamura.
He stands exactly 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. Honestly, in person, without the high-top sneakers, he might even be a hair shorter. But don’t let that fool you. The Chicago Bulls didn't bring him in as a mascot or a novelty act. They brought him in because he is a walking, breathing firecracker on the court.
Why Yuki Kawamura is the Current Shortest NBA Player
Being the "little guy" in the NBA is a brutal job. You’re constantly being hunted. Every time Kawamura steps onto the floor, the opposing team starts licking their chops, trying to force a switch so a 7-foot center can try to bury him under the basket.
It’s predatory.
But Kawamura has spent his entire life being the smallest person in the room. Before he landed his two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls in early January 2026, he was a superstar in Japan's B.League. We’re talking MVP trophies and Rookie of the Year honors. He’s not just "fast for his height." He’s one of the fastest players in the world, period.
Last season, he had a cup of coffee with the Memphis Grizzlies, appearing in 22 games. The stats weren't mind-blowing—1.6 points and less than an assist per game—but the impact was there. He’s a floor general. When he has the ball, things happen.
The Long Road to Chicago
Kawamura's path to the 2025-26 season wasn't exactly smooth. After showing out in the 2024 Olympics for Japan, he caught the eye of NBA scouts. He eventually signed with the Bulls, but a lower right leg injury during training camp back in October 2025 almost derailed everything. The Bulls actually waived him.
It felt like the dream was over.
But Yuki stayed in the States, worked his tail off with the Windy City Bulls (Chicago's G League affiliate), and waited for his leg to heal. On January 6, 2026, the Bulls officially resigned him to a two-way pact. He reclaimed his title as the current shortest NBA player the second that pen hit the paper.
The "Short" List: Who Else is Down There?
It’s lonely at the bottom of the height chart. Usually, there are a few guys hovering around 5'9" or 5'10", but the league has gotten significantly taller lately.
- Ryan Nembhard: Standing at 5'11", the Dallas Mavericks guard is officially the second shortest active player. That’s a full three-inch gap between him and Yuki.
- The 6-Foot Club: This is where the crowd is. You’ve got vets like Chris Paul and Fred VanVleet, along with guys like Jose Alvarado and Mike Conley.
Notice a trend? These are all point guards. You aren't going to see a 5'8" power forward unless we're talking about a glitch in NBA 2K.
What happened to Markquis Nowell?
A lot of fans still think Markquis Nowell is the shortest. He’s 5'7" and was a legend at Kansas State. But as of 2026, Markquis is playing overseas. He’s currently tearing it up for Baskonia in Spain. Since he isn't on an active NBA roster, he doesn't count for this specific crown. If he ever comes back, Yuki drops to second place.
The Strategy of Being Small
How does a 5'8" guy actually survive in a league of monsters? He uses his low center of gravity.
Think about it.
If you’re 7 feet tall, your dribble has to travel a long way from your hand to the floor. For Kawamura, the ball is barely leaving his palm before it hits the hardwood. It’s nearly impossible to steal from him. On defense, he’s a "pest." That’s the term scouts use. He gets into your jersey, he disrupts your rhythm, and he makes you uncomfortable.
He’s basically a human mosquito.
The Limitations are Real
We have to be honest here. Being the current shortest NBA player comes with a massive ceiling—pun intended. You can’t teach height, and you can’t always outrun a 7'4" wingspan. Kawamura has to shoot a high percentage from three to stay viable. If he isn't a threat from deep, defenses will just ignore him and stay home on the shooters.
In his first few G League stints this season, he’s shown flashes. In one game, he dropped 7 assists in just 16 minutes. That’s elite vision. But the shooting? It’s been streaky. That’s the hurdle he has to clear to become a permanent fixture in the Bulls' rotation.
The Legacy of the Under-Six-Footers
Yuki isn't just playing for himself; he’s carrying the torch for the Muggsy Bogues and Spud Webbs of the world. Muggsy was 5'3" and played 14 seasons. That’s insane.
Kawamura is currently the only active player under 5'9".
It shows you how much the game has changed. The "positionless basketball" era usually favors 6'7" wings who can do everything. Small guards are becoming a bit of a dying breed unless they are generational scorers like Isaiah Thomas was in his prime.
What to Watch For Next
If you want to see the current shortest NBA player in action, you’ll mostly find him splitting time between the United Center and the G League arena in Hoffman Estates. His two-way contract means he can jump back and forth.
Keep an eye on these specific things:
- The Pick-and-Roll: Watch how Kawamura uses his speed to get around screens. He’s too fast for most bigs to "drop" on.
- The Three-Ball: His survival depends on hitting around 36-38% from deep.
- On-Ball Pressure: See if he can force turnovers without fouling.
If you're looking to track his progress, follow the Chicago Bulls' injury reports and G League call-up news. Yuki's journey is about more than just height; it's about whether skill and pure speed can still conquer the giants in 2026.
Check the Bulls' schedule for upcoming home games where they might be resting veterans, as that’s usually when a two-way spark plug like Kawamura gets his real chance to shine on the big stage.
