This article was originally published on September 12, 2023, and then updated on May 29, 2024 to reflect the latest WNBA roster data.
We recently unveiled WNBA players are taller than the average woman in the United States. But, there are also some shorter players that have not only rightfully earned a spot on a WNBA team roster, but have found ways to make an impactful contribution.
Let’s not pretend that height doesn’t play an important role in a WNBA player being able to compete. The shortest WNBA players are clearly at a disadvantage. And yet, some of the league’s current and former players have shown that talent, skill and heart can overcome stature, at least in some cases.
Using up-to-date player data provided by WNBA.com, I’ve compiled a list of the shortest WNBA players in the league right now this 2024 season, as well as broken down by team. I’ve also taken a trip down history lane to assemble a list of the shortest WNBA players of all time.
Who is the Shortest WNBA Player in 2024?
In 2024, two players share the title of the shortest WNBA player in 2024 – Crystal Dangerfield and Olivia Époupa. Both athletes are 5 feet 5 inches.
Crystal Dangerfield begins her fourth year in the league with the Atlanta Dream. The former Rookie of the Year started her career with the Minnesota Lynx in 2020, when she became the team’s top scorer that year. She’s also played for the Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, and Dallas Wings.
Olivia Époupa signed with the Minnesota Lynx in 2024 for her first season in the WNBA. The French guard had been playing in the EuroLeague Women for Cukurova Basketball Mersin in Turkey. She also helped Team France to a fourth-place finish in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Also 5’5″, rookie guard Dyaisha Fair was originally on our list to include here. The Las Vegas Aces selected Fair in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft. But, the defending champions waived the third-leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history four games into the 2024 season.
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Shortest Player on Each WNBA Team
Here are the shortest WNBA players this 2024 season, by team. This list was created using the official 2024 roster data provided on WNBA.com.
Atlanta Dream – Crystal Dangerfield (5 feet 5 inches)
At 5 feet 5 inches, Crystal Dangerfield is currently the shortest player for the Atlanta Dream.
After playing college basketball for the UConn Huskies, Crystal was drafted in the second round of the 2020 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx. She went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year after leading the team in scoring.
Chicago Sky – Dana Evans (5 feet 6 inches)
Standing 5 feet 6 inches, Dana Evans is the Chicago Sky’s shortest player right now.
Out of the University of Louisville, where she earned two ACC Basketball Player of the Year titles, Dana was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft. She’s known for her hustle and energy, which have become her trademark.
Connecticut Sun – Moriah Jefferson (5 feet 6 inches)
At 5 feet 6 inches, Moriah Jefferson is the shortest player on the Connecticut Sun roster. She was selected second overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA draft and played college basketball for the UConn Huskies, where she won four consecutive national championships.
Moriah is known for her speed and ability to finish. Offensively, she uses the pull-up jumper, show-and-go, pump-fake pivot, and penetration drive to score.
Dallas Wings – Arike Ogunbowale (5 feet 8 inches)
The Dallas Wings are the tallest WNBA team this season, so it’s not surprising their shortest player is not so short at all. Arike Ogunbowale holds the title of shortest on the Dallas Wings at 5 feet 8 inches.
Arike is one of the most prolific and clutch scorers in the league right now. She is the franchise leader in 3-pointers.
Indiana Fever – Erica Wheeler (5 feet 7 inches)
Standing 5 feet 7 inches, Erica Wheeler is the shortest player on the Indiana Fever’s roster. After going undrafted, Wheeler earned a spot with the Atlanta Dream. She’s played for the Dream, New York Liberty, and Sparks, in addition to the Fever.
She won WNBA All-Star Game MVP in 2019 and excels as a playmaker in running pick-and-rolls and hitting open shots.
Las Vegas Aces – Sydney Colson and Kelsey Plum (5 feet 8 inches)
Sydney Colson and Kelsey Plum, both at 5 feet 8 inches, currently share the title of the shortest players on the Las Vegas Aces’ roster after Dyaisha Fair’s departure. Both guards contributed to the Aces winning back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023.
Los Angeles Sparks – Aari McDonald (5 feet 6 inches)
Aari McDonald is the shortest player on the Los Angeles Sparks’s roster, at 5 feet 6 inches. Her journey to the WNBA began when the Atlanta Dream drafted her third overall in the 2021 WNBA draft. She’s known for her aggressive defense, and is capable of smothering guards and getting into passing lanes.
Minnesota Lynx – Olivia Époupa (5 feet 5 inches)
One of the shortest WNBA players in the league right now, 5-feet 5-inch Olivia Époupa plays for the Minnesota Lynx. This is her first season in the WNBA.
New York Liberty – Courtney Vandersloot (5 feet 8 inches)
Courtney Vandersloot, at 5 feet 8 inches, leads the New York Liberty as the shortest player on the team. Drafted by the Chicago Sky with the third pick in the 2011 WNBA draft, she has established herself as one of the best point guards in league history.
The All-Star won the All-Rookie Team award in her rookie year, and leading the Sky to their first WNBA Championship in 2021. She has consistently led the WNBA in assists, setting records for most assists in a season, highest assists-per-game in a season, and highest career assists-per-game.
Phoenix Mercury – Sug Sutton (5 feet 8 inches)
At 5 feet 8 inches, Sug Sutton is the shortest Phoenix Mercury player this year. She began her WNBA career as a Washington Mystic after being drafted 36th overall in 2020. She’s since found a home with the Phoenix Mercury, where she recorded the first triple-double in team history.
Seattle Storm – Kiana Williams (5 feet 7 inches)
The shortest player for the Seattle Storm in 2024 is Kiana Williams, at 5 feet 7 inches. The former Stanford Cardinal was drafted by the Storm in 2021, when she suited up in 10 games. She split the 2022 season between the Storm and the Connecticut Sun before returning to the Storm this season.
Washington Mystics – Julie Vanloo (5 feet 8 inches)
Julie Vanloo, at 5 feet 8 inches, is the shortest player on the Washington Mystics’ roster. This 2024 season is the first for the Belgian guard, who also plays for the Belgian national team and has competed in the Turkish Super League and EuroCup Women.
7 Shortest WNBA Players of All Time
Based on official data from the WNBA, here are the seven shortest WNBA players since league play started in 1997.
Shannon Bobbitt – 5 feet 2 inches
Played For: Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever, Washington Mystics
Number of Seasons Played: 5
Shannon Bobbit is tied for the shortest WNBA player of all time, standing at 5 feet 2 inches. Drafted as the overall 15th pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, she also played for the Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics.
Before reaching the WNBA, Shannon played two years at Trinity Valley Community College and two years at the University of Tennessee, where she won back-to-back NCAA Division I titles and was the shortest player ever signed by the Lady Vols.
Tina Nicholson – 5’2”
Played For: Cleveland Rockers
Number of Seasons Played: 1
At 5 feet 2 inches, Tina Nicholson shares the title for the shortest WNBA player of all time. Her WNBA career spanned a single season with the Cleveland Rockers. She was drafted out of Penn State as the overall 20th pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft.
Tina recorded 48 points, 42 assists, 10 rebounds, and 11 steals in 24 games played for the Rockers.
Debbie Black – 5’2.5”
Played For: Utah Starzz, Miami Sol, Connecticut Sun
Number of Seasons Played: 6
At 5 feet 2.5 inches, Debbie Black is one of the shortest WNBA players in the league’s history. In 2001, she earned WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors, an award for the league’s top defensive player selected by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
Nicknamed “The Pest” for her defensive tenacity, Debbie was drafted 15th overall by the Utah Starzz in the 1999 WNBA Draft. She played a single season with the Starzz before going to the Miami Sol for a few years and finishing her career with the Connecticut Sun.
Before her time in the WNBA, Debbie also played seasons in Australia’s WNBL and a single season in the ABL.
Temeka Johnson – 5’3”
Played For: Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Tulsa Shock, Seattle Storm
Number of Seasons Played: 12
The WNBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2005, Temeka Johnson is one of the league’s shortest players at 5 feet three inches. The Washington Mystics drafted her 6th overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft. She also played seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Tulsa Shock, and Seattle Storm.
Temeka won a WNBA Championship in 2009 with the Mercury. She also had a highly decorated NCAA playing career at LSU, breaking the school’s career assist record and helping her team reach two Final Fours and an Elite Eight.
Nicole Levesque – 5’3”
Played For: Charlotte Sting
Number of Seasons Played: 1
At 5 feet 3 inches, Nicole Levesque is one of the shortest players in the history of the WNBA. She is also the only player from Vermont ever to make it into the WNBA.
Nicole was undrafted in the WNBA but earned a spot with the Charlotte Sting for a single season. She played 27 games, averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 assists per game. Before the WNBA, she played four years at Wake Forest, recording 1,663 points, and was named All-ACC twice.
Brandi McCain – 5’3”
Played For: Cleveland Rockers
Number of Seasons Played: 1
Brandi McCain, at 5 feet 3 inches, was selected as the 24th overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft and played a single season for the Cleveland Rockers. Before her time in the WNBA, she played at the University of Florida, where she was a first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC Conference selection.
In 1999, Brandi contributed an average of 6.0 points per game to help Team USA bring home a silver medal in the World University Games.
Erica White – 5’3”
Played For: Houston Comets, Indiana Fever
Number of Seasons Played: 2
Erica White, at 5 feet 3 inches, played two seasons in the WNBA after being selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. She was part of the Houston Comets’ final season before the team folded and then went to play with the Indiana Fever.
Before joining the league, Erica played for LSU, helping to lead the Lady Tigers to NCAA Final Four appearances each of her four years.
Notable Moments and Highlights of Shortest WNBA Players
Height is an advantage to WNBA players, which is why so many of the most dominating players in league history are taller. But the league has also seen its share of game-changing contributions from some of its shorter athletes.
So, let’s look at some memorable highlights from the shortest WNBA players.
Aari McDonald’s Defensive Wizardry
Aari McDonald, now with the Los Angeles Sparks, earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors her first year in the league while with the Atlanta Dream. She blossomed even more in her second season, nearly doubling her scoring and steals output to help the Dream make the 2023 WNBA Playoffs against the odds.
Crystal Dangerfield’s Rookie of the Year Win
Crystal Dangerfield, one the shortest players in the league at 5 feet 5 inches, had a standout rookie season with the Minnesota Lynx. That season, she ranked 11th in the WNBA in scoring but 1st on her team, and her scoring ability and court vision earned her the 2020 WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
Jordin Canada’s Becomes Two-Time Champion
Jordin Canada, at 5 feet 6 inches, played a pivotal role in leading the Seattle Storm to WNBA championships in 2018 and 2020. Canada’s ability to control the game’s tempo and make clutch plays made her an integral part of the championship-winning squad.
Erica Wheeler’s All-Star Game MVP Performance
Erica Wheeler, an undrafted player who stands at 5 feet 7 inches, etched her name in WNBA history by becoming the first undrafted player to win the All-Star Game MVP award in 2019. Thanks to some hot three-point shooting, she dropped 25 points in her team’s win and added seven assists.
Courtney Vandersloot’s Record-Breaking Assists
Courtney Vandersloot, the shortest player on the New York Liberty, holds numerous WNBA records, including the highest single-game assist (18) and season assist (300) records. Also impressive, she solidified her spot in WNBA history in 2023 when she passed Ticha Penicheiro and became 2nd All-Time in assists league-wide.
FAQ About Shortest WNBA Players
Who is the shortest WNBA player to dunk?
At 6 feet 6 inches, Jonquel Jones is the shortest player to dunk in a WNBA game. Jonquel dunked in the nationally-televised 2017 WNBA All-Star Game. She is one of eight women who have dunked in a WNBA game.
Charlotte Smith, standing at 6 feet 0 inches, is the shortest WNBA player to dunk. However, Charlotte never dunked in a WNBA game. In 1994, she dunked during a college basketball team while playing for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
More About Basketball and Height
Learn more about the WNBA and its players through our comprehensive WNBA guide, or visit our educational article exploring whether playing basketball makes you taller.
Or, learn about who is the shortest NBA player, and discover the unique advantages of shorter players in basketball.
