When it comes to basketball, taller players have a natural edge in securing rebounds and blocking shots due to their extended reach. For instance, Wilt Chamberlain, at 7’1″, holds the NBA record for the most rebounds in a single game (55). Similarly, Victor Wembanyama, at 7’3″, led the NBA in blocks during his rookie season. However, rebounding and blocking aren’t the only uses for height.

Height also allows players to shoot over defenders more easily, especially near the bucket—something Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, at 7’2″, mastered with his signature skyhook shot to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer at the time of his retirement. So, no doubt, height provides obvious advantages.

But is it just height that matters? Hell no!

Just look at the way WNBA hooping queens are ruling the court! While it’s true that, on average, women are shorter than men due to biological differences, this hasn’t stopped female basketball players from delivering some of the most exhilarating and skillful performances we’ve ever seen. Just consider how Caitlin Clark has turned out to be a game-changer for the WNBA, dishing out over 19 records in just one season.

And if you’re thinking, “Well, she’s got decent height,” remember this: even shorter players often possess a lower center of gravity, allowing for quicker directional changes and superior balance.

So here’s a list of active WNBA players who are defying all odds!

Who are the five shortest players in the WNBA this season?

After historic viewership and attendance, the 2025 season is shaping up to be massive. Especially with a rookie class led by sensation Paige Bueckers, and vets like A’ja Wilson, plus game-changers like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese clashing for the championship title. But beyond the spotlight on superstars, there are plenty of others already emerging as dark horses in the game.

Mai Yamamoto

Standing at five feet four inches (165 cm), Yamamoto is a standout for Japan’s national basketball team and the Toyota Antelopes. Her on-court presence speaks volumes about her capabilities.

Just consider this: she delivered a career-defining performance against Canada at the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Hungary. She recorded a personal best of 21 points, with a special spotlight on her clutch basket that secured Japan’s win and Olympic qualification.

So, no doubt, her talent got picked up by the org. She joined the Dallas Wings for training camp after competing for the Toyota Antelopes in the preseason. But before she could showcase her skills in regular-season games, the Wings waived her.

“It’s hard. These last cuts aren’t going to be easy,” Koclanes said after Monday’s practice. “Lots of conversations with our GM group about what the roster’s going to look like and what players nine through twelve can add and bring to our culture in such a foundational year.”

This simply means she’s currently left without a team. But considering her skills and talent, there’s no doubt that another team will pick her up soon!

Jordin Canada

Next up is Canada, standing at 5 feet 5 inches (approximately 1.68 meters). The dynamic guard in the WNBA, weighing just 61 kg, is well known for her exceptional speed, defensive prowess, and playmaking abilities. She’s even got a wingspan of 5 feet 9 inches, which she effectively utilizes to disrupt opposing offenses and facilitate plays.

Despite being shorter than many of her peers, her agility, court vision, and defensive instincts have made her an invaluable asset to every team she’s been part of. Notably, she played for the Atlanta Dream last season and averaged 10.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game over 20 appearances.

And not just that—she even had a double-double against the Dallas Wings on September 6, where she recorded 15 points and a season-high 10 assists.

Coming into this season, however, she might not be playing anytime soon. According to a recent announcement, Canada has been diagnosed with a right knee injury and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. So she’s not surviving but thriving in the game.

Dana Evans

For Evans, her 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) frame has never been a disadvantage. In fact, she’s consistently demonstrated that stature is no barrier to success in the W. With a wingspan of 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters), she effectively leverages her reach to excel as a guard.

Something that even those with a height advantage aren’t always able to do. Initially drafted 13th overall by the Dallas Wings in 2021, she has been consistently proving her worth. Just consider her 2024 season, where she set career highs in games started (12) and posted a personal best free throw percentage of nearly 96%. And not just that—she even improved her three-point shooting, hitting 37.6% from beyond the arc.

For the upcoming season, Evans will be playing for the Aces, who signed her this offseason. “We are excited to welcome Dana Evans to the Las Vegas Aces family,” said Fargas. “Her leadership, experience, and passion for the game make her a valuable addition to our already outstanding backcourt. We believe her skills and championship mentality will have an immediate impact on our team as we pursue another successful season.”

The guard joins the Aces as part of a deal with the Chicago Sky that sent the No. 16 and No. 22 picks in the 2025 draft to the Sky.

Aari McDonald

Then, we have another standout with a 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters) frame and 64 kg weight. McDonald, the dynamic guard, is well known for her speed, defensive prowess, and scoring ability. Drafted 3rd overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2021 WNBA season, she currently plays for the Los Angeles Sparks.

And no doubt, her contribution to the team is massive. In the 2024 season, she played 26 games, started 10, and averaged 8.7 points with 3.7 assists per game. Not just that—she even showcased her efficiency by shooting 40.3% from the field and nearly 84.3% from the free-throw line.

So clearly, the Sparks couldn’t afford to let this talent move to another team.

“We’re fired up to have Aari return to the Sparks,” General Manager Raegan Pebley said. “She battled last season for us and is a proven point guard in this league. A gifted passer and communicator, Aari likes to play at the pace we’re working toward. We’re excited to run it back with her this season.”

So, the LA Sparks re-signed the veteran guard for the 2025 season. Clearly, height didn’t stop McDonald from spreading her magic!

Jaylyn Sherrod

After McDonald, the next shortest player on the list is Sherrod. Standing at five feet seven inches (1.70 meters), she is a guard for the New York Liberty. While she went undrafted during the 2024 draft, however, she was later signed by the Liberty. And that turned out to be one of their best decisions. Notably, she contributed significantly to their 2024 championship run.

During the regular season, Sherrod played in 10 games, averaging 1.9 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game, while shooting 50% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. And not just that—she even appeared in two playoff games, recording 0.0 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.

So overall, while height can be an advantage, it’s never a disadvantage! But among them all, none was the shortest player in WNBA history!

Who is the shortest player in WNBA history?

In a league filled with towering figures and relentless athletes, Shannon Bobbitt never blinked. At just 5 feet 2 inches, she walked into the WNBA not with height, but with heart. And throughout four seasons, Bobbitt didn’t just survive in the league—she carved out a name for herself as a sparkplug who beat the odds every time she laced up.

From 2008 to 2012, Bobbitt suited up for the Los Angeles Sparks, Indiana Fever, and Washington Mystics, playing 118 career games across four seasons. On paper, her averages—3.2 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.4 rebounds per game—might look modest. But anyone who watched her play knew the numbers only told part of the story.

She brought tempo. She brought energy. And most importantly, she brought belief—not just in herself, but in every undersized kid who dreamed of making it big.

Just consider her 2012 faceoff against her former team, the Indiana Fever. Bobbitt dropped eight points, dished five assists, and grabbed two rebounds in just 19 minutes, helping lead the Mystics to a nail-biting 67–66 win. That night, she wasn’t just playing basketball—she was sending a message: Never count me out.

Years earlier, in a high-stakes battle against the Phoenix Mercury, Bobbitt’s time with the L.A. Sparks produced another iconic moment. With the game hanging in the balance, she buried a clutch three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, sealing a 91–80 victory.

So, quite evidently, her size was never a disadvantage. From the asphalt of Harlem to the lights of the WNBA, she turned doubt into drive and wrote a story that still inspires.