The Lakers have remained at the top of their game throughout sports history. They have always lived up to their fans’ expectations. All because of their amazing player lineup. Not only do they have the right physique, but their unique playing styles have made it possible for the team to maintain a stellar record. People generally assume height as an important factor to have a career in basketball. But there are Lakers players under 6 feet who have set groundbreaking records. Here, we have compiled a list of the top 10 shortest Lakers of all time.
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10. Gail Goodrich (6 Feet 1 Inch)
Gail Goodrich was doubted by many during the beginning of his career due to his frail physique. His height seemed like a downside, but he proved his doubters wrong by his fantastic performance.
The Los Angeles Lakers picked the six foot-1 shooting guard in the 1965 NBA draft. Goodrich averaged 13.8 ppg, 2.5 RPG, and 2.6 APG in his third season with the Lakers. He ranks among all-time Lakers leaders in several categories, including total points (sixth, 13,044), assists (seventh, 2,863), free throws made (seventh, 2,830), and games played (ninth, 687).
09. Ernie DiGregorio (6 Feet)
DiGregorio had a short yet fulfilling season with the Los Angeles Lakers’. He played about 25 games with the Lakers before retiring.
The 6-foot point guard won the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1973-74. DiGregorio’s professional career was short-lived yet very influential. He could only play five NBA seasons and had to retire due to his knee injury.
08. Butch Lee (6 Feet)
Next up, we have none other than Butch Lee. Lee’s NBA career revolved around playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
As an international basketball player of only 6 feet, Lee has proved himself worthy of winning championships. Butch was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played eleven games alongside NBA star Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Lee is the first Puerto Rican basketball player to win championships in the NCAA, NBA, and BSN.
07. Mac Calvin (6 Feet)
The 6-foot point guard played four seasons in the NBA. His professional career in the NBA is short, but his contribution was very impactful.
Calvin’s career started with the ABA’s Los Angeles Stars. After that, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers’ for the 1976–77 NBA season. This is where his NBA career started. Mac spent four seasons in the NBA with five teams—Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
06. Johnny Egan (6 Feet)
Johnny Egan’s contribution of 11 seasons in the NBA is quite praiseworthy. The Detroit Pistons first drafted the 6’0 point guard in 1961.
After the Detroit Pistons, he also played for New York Knicks, Baltimore Bullets, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Diego/Houston Rockets. Egan has a total of 5,521 points, 1,284 rebounds, and 2,102 assists throughout his NBA career.
05. Tyronn Lue (6 Feet)
Next up, we have Tyronn Lue. The former 6-foot point guard has contributed immensely during his tenure in the NBA, both as a player and coach.
Tyronn’s NBA career started when the Denver Nuggets first drafted him in the 1998 NBA draft. Shortly after being drafted by them, he was traded to Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Nick Van Exel. While playing for them, he suffered a lot of injuries. Due to his agility and steadiness, he guarded Allen Iverson during Game 1 of the Finals.
All through his career, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks. Lue has won several awards as a player. He was the 2× NBA champion (2000, 2001), First-team All-Big 12 (1998), and Second-team All-Big 12 (1997). As a coach, he also has many notable achievements. Tyronn was the NBA champion and All-Star Game head coach in 2016.
04. David Rivers (6 Feet)
The 6-foot point guard began his NBA career after being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1988 NBA draft. He played in 47 regular-season games, averaging 2.9 points and 2.3 assists per game as a rookie.
After the Los Angeles Lakers, he also played for Los Angeles Clippers, Tulsa Fast Breakers, Memphis Rockers, and La Crosse Catbirds. In the 1991-1992 season, while playing for La Crosse, he won the league title. Rivers averaged 27.1 points and 9.6 assists during the finals and received MVP honors.
03. Chucky Atkins (5 Feet 11 Inches)
Atkin’s NBA career revolved around nine different teams. Orlando Magic first drafted him in 1999.
After Orlando Magic, he played for eight different teams, including Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. Standing at only 5 feet 11 inches, Atkins still managed to set records that are yet to be broken. He has won the NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2000), and he is also a member of the USF Athletic Hall of Fame.
02. Slater Martin (5 Feet 10 Inches)
Last but not least, we have Slater Martin. Martin has left an impactful mark in the history of the NBA with his groundbreaking performance. Overall, he has played for 11 seasons in the NBA. He is the 2nd shortest player for lakers.
From 1949-1956, the 5 foot 10-inch point guard played for the Minneapolis Lakers. Throughout his entire career, he has won several championships. Martin won the NBA championship five times and NBA All-Star 7 times. He was also named NBA’s best defensive player in the 1950s.
01. Isaiah Thomas (5 Feet 9 Inches)
The 5-foot nine-inch point guard started his professional career by being selected by the Sacramento Kings in the 2011 NBA draft. He is the shortest Lakers till now.
He played three seasons for the Kings and then joined the Phoenix Suns in 2014. After the Suns, Thomas also played for the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. He was named an NBA All-Star in both 2016 and 2017 and received All-NBA Team honors.