While the WNBA has seen its share of iconic moments and legendary players, one intriguing aspect often comes to the forefront of discussions – player height.
In a world where height is often associated with dominance on the basketball court, WNBA players have challenged these perceptions. Today, talent, skill, and heart can overcome stature.
In this article, we’ll explore the shortest players to suit up in a WNBA uniform. Using player data provided by the WNBA, we’ve compiled a list of the shortest WNBA players in the league right now, broken down by team. We’ve also assembled a list of the nine shortest WNBA players of all time.
Who is the Shortest WNBA Player Right Now?
The shortest WNBA player right now in the WNBA is Crystal Dangerfield at 5 feet 5 inches. She currently plays for the Dallas Wings after starting her WNBA career with the Minnesota Lynx in 2020, when she became the team’s top scorer and earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors. She’s also played for the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty.
Crystal overcomes her lack of size by utilizing her quickness and outworking opponents. In addition, she’s built the skills to compete with those taller than her. Offensively, she uses her speed and moves like the hesitation to get to the rim or to create space and pull up short for jumpers. She can also shoot floaters to navigate taller opponents and get her shot off.
Shortest Player on Each WNBA Team
Here are the shortest WNBA players right now, broken down by team. We built our lists using the official 2023 roster data provided on WNBA.com.
Atlanta Dream – Aari McDonald (5 feet 6 inches)
Aari McDonald is the shortest player on the Atlanta Dream’s roster, measuring 5 feet 6 inches. Despite her smaller size, McDonald is a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Aari’s journey to the WNBA began when the Atlanta Dream drafted her third overall in the 2021 WNBA draft. Her tenacious defensive abilities have made her a standout player, capable of smothering guards, intercepting passes, and creating scoring opportunities from her defensive plays.
Chicago Sky – Dana Evans (5 feet 6 inches)
Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall, Dana Evans is the Chicago Sky’s shortest player. She’s made a name for herself in the WNBA with her unwavering energy and hustle on the court.
Hailing from 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 plays, which have become her trademark.
Connecticut Sun – Natisha Hiedeman (5 feet 8 inches)
Among the Connecticut Sun’s roster, Natisha Hiedeman stands at 5 feet 8 inches, making her the shortest player on the team. Drafted with the eighteenth overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, she is the highest-drafted Marquette basketball player in school history.
“For me, I’ve always been undersized, that is just how it has always been,” she said. “Little, skinny, it’s a genetic thing with all my family. But being able to do a little extra in the weightroom, makes me feel more comfortable on the court. I think I’m a big person. In my head, I’m 6-7. It helps me be confident.” – Natisha Hiedeman, The Athletic
Natisha has showcased her intelligence and skill on the court, both in the WNBA and abroad. Her ability to orchestrate plays and create scoring opportunities are valuable assets to the Sun.
Dallas Wings – Crystal Dangerfield (5 feet 5 inches)
At 5 feet 5 inches, Crystal Dangerfield is currently the shortest player in the WNBA. Despite her stature, she positively impacts her team, the Dallas Wings.
After a standout high school career as the nation’s top-ranked point guard, Crystal played college basketball for the UConn Huskies. She was drafted in the second round of the 2020 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx and was named WNBA Rookie of the Year after leading the team in scoring.
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. Her journey to the WNBA was unconventional. She entered the league as an undrafted free agent, a rarity in a highly competitive field.
After securing a spot, she became the first player in WNBA history to win the All-Star Game MVP as an undrafted player. She excels in running pick-and-rolls, boasts a high-level shooting ability, and serves as a playmaker for her team.
Las Vegas Aces – Riquna Williams (5 feet 7 inches)
Riquna Williams, at 5 feet 7 inches, currently holds the title of the shortest player on the Las Vegas Aces’ roster. While she remains on the Aces’ roster, it’s worth noting that she faced legal issues in August 2023, which have precluded her from participating in team activities.
Known for her tenacious defensive skills, “Bay Bay” is a role player who can be both smothering on the ball and sly in her off-ball defensive efforts. On the offensive end, she’s known for her speed, accurate shooting, and various moves that make her a scoring threat.
Los Angeles Sparks – Jordin Canada (5 feet 6 inches)
Standing 5 feet 6 inches, Jordin Canada is currently the shortest player on the Los Angeles Sparks’ roster. The Seattle Storm selected her with the 5th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, she played collegiately with the UCLA Bruins, and she’s known for her playmaking abilities, exceptional speed, and crossover skills. In her rookie season with the Storm, Jordin won her first WNBA championship and added a second in 2020.
Minnesota Lynx – Lindsay Allen (5 feet 8 inches)
Among the current Minnesota Lynx players, Lindsay Allen is the shortest, measuring 5 feet 8 inches. Drafted in the second round (14th overall) of the 2017 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty, she has played steadily for several teams, including the Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever, and now the Lynx.
With the Aces, she helped the team to reach the 2020 WNBA Finals, where the team eventually fell to the Seattle Storm. She’s known for her tremendous speed in transition, a helpful skill for running an up-tempo offense.
New York Liberty – Courtney Vandersloot (5 feet 8 inches)
Courtney Vandersloot, measuring 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 a triple threat on the court.
Courtney’s accomplishments include being selected as an All-Star, winning the All-Rookie Team award in her rookie year, and leading the Sky to their first WNBA Championship in 2021. In addition, 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.
Learn more: What is an assist in basketball?
Phoenix Mercury – Moriah Jefferson (5 feet 6 inches)
Standing 5 feet 6 inches, Moriah Jefferson is the shortest player on the Phoenix Mercury 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 accurate finishing. Offensively, she uses the pull-up jumper, show-and-go, pump-fake pivot, and penetration drive to score.
Seattle Storm – Yvonne Turner and Sami Whitcomb (5 feet 10 inches)
Tied as the shortest players on the Seattle Storm, both Yvonne Turner and Sami Whitcomb measure in at 5 feet 10 inches.
Yvonne has played professionally around the world, including in Hungary, Australia, Ecuador, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain, and Turkey. She has also played for various WNBA teams.
Sami made her name in Australia before debuting in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm in 2017. She has won championships with the Storm.
Washington Mystics – Kristi Toliver (5 feet 7 inches)
Kristi Toliver, who stands 5 feet 7 inches, is the shortest player on the Washington Mystics’ roster. Known for her work ethic and court vision, she has made her mark as a player and an NBA assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks.
Toliver has earned a reputation for coming through in crucial moments. As a child, she dreamt of becoming the first woman to play in the NBA.
9 Shortest WNBA Players of All Time
Based on official data from the WNBA, here are the nine shortest WNBA players ever to grace the court 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 offers an advantage to WNBA players, which is why so many of the tallest WNBA players have done so well in the league. But the league has also seen its share of game-changing contributions from some of its shortest players. Let’s look at some memorable highlights from the shortest WNBA players.
Aari McDonald’s Defensive Wizardry
Aari McDonald, the shortest player on the Atlanta Dream, earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors her first year in the league. She blossomed even more in her second season in the league, 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, the shortest player 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, 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, standing at 5 feet 6 inches, played a pivotal role in leading the Seattle Storm to WNBA championships in 2018 and 2020. She displayed her speed and playmaking skills during crucial playoff games. 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.
Learn more: What is a dime in basketball?
Historical Perspective
The WNBA has come a long way since its inception in 1996, and so has the perception of player height within the league. In the early years, there was a prevailing notion that taller players were better suited for success in professional women’s basketball. However, as the league evolved, so did the understanding that talent and skill can transcend physical stature.
Early on, there was a noticeable emphasis on height. Taller players were often prioritized in drafts and considered more likely to dominate in the post and on the boards. This perception aligned with traditional basketball ideologies that valued size as a significant advantage.
As a result, shorter players faced challenges in breaking into the league and proving themselves. Today, that is no longer the case.
The league has seen an evolution in playing styles that shifted the emphasis away from post dominance and towards positionless, five-out, motion-type basketball.
Players are no longer confined to specific roles. Teams now prioritize ball movement, speed, and perimeter shooting. This change in playing style opened up opportunities for shorter players who excelled in these areas.
Taller players still have their place in the league. But, there is a greater recognition that talent, skill, work ethic, and heart are critical factors in a player’s success.
Shorter players like Natisha Hiedeman, Dana Evans, and Crystal Dangerfield compete and excel in the league. And their performances challenge any lingering doubts about the impact shorter players can have on the game.
FAQ About Shortest WNBA Players
Who is the shortest player ever in the WNBA?
Shannon Bobbitt and Tina Nicholson are the two shortest WNBA players ever to play in the league. They both stand at 5 feet 2 inches.
How tall is the average WNBA player?
In 2023, the average height of a WNBA player is 6 feet 0.7 inches. When you break down average WNBA height by position, you’ll see that guards are usually the shortest across the league. Guards stand at an average of 5 feet 9.5 inches.
Who is the shortest WNBA player in 2023?
The shortest active WNBA player right now (2023 season) is Crystal Dangerfield, who plays for the Dallas Wings.
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.
