The shortest player in NBA history, Muggsy Bogues’ total career earnings of $17.8 million translate to a $14 million net worth as of 2025.
Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues defied all odds to become one of basketball’s most memorable players, standing at just 5 feet 3 inches tall.
As the shortest player ever to compete in the NBA, Bogues turned what many considered a disadvantage into his greatest strength during his remarkable 14-season career.
After being selected 12th overall in the 1987 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets, he quickly established himself as a formidable point guard.
His most significant impact came during his decade-long tenure with the Charlotte Hornets (1988-1997), where he became the face of the franchise alongside Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson.
Despite his diminutive stature, Bogues consistently ranked among the NBA’s elite in assists, finishing in the top seven for six consecutive seasons (1989-1995).
His defensive prowess was equally impressive, with 39 career blocks, including a memorable rejection of 7-footer Patrick Ewing.
Throughout his career, Bogues accumulated 146 NBA double-doubles, demonstrating that height was no barrier to excellence in professional basketball.
Bogues’ Earnings From His 14-Season NBA Career Reflect His Remarkable Growth
Muggsy Bogues has accumulated a net worth of $14 million, with his NBA career serving as the primary source of his wealth.
His NBA earnings show a steady progression throughout his 14-season career, starting with a modest $250,000 with the Washington Bullets in 1987-88.
During his tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, his salary grew from $350,000 to $1.8 million, reflecting his increasing value to the team.
His highest-earning season came with the Golden State Warriors in 1998-99, when he earned $2.8 million (equivalent to approximately $5.4 million in today’s dollars).
The progression of his earnings mirrors his on-court success, with significant salary jumps following his most productive seasons.
His Charlotte Hornets years (1988-1997) proved particularly lucrative, as he earned over $10 million during this period.
His final contracts with the Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks brought in substantial amounts, including a $1.74 million salary in 2000-01 with the Raptors.
When adjusted for inflation, his total career earnings of $17.8 million would be worth approximately $35.3 million in today’s dollars.
Beyond his base salary, Bogues enhanced his earnings through strategic endorsement deals.
He carefully selected his marketing partnerships, avoiding advertisements that focused solely on his height.
His endorsement portfolio included major brands such as Sprite, AT&T, First Union National Bank, Bojangles, and Hyundai.
Additionally, he also earned several million dollars from endorsements with brands like Sprits and NBA 2K15.
A particularly notable campaign was his 1995 Reebok commercial featuring NBA players and their mothers, which added significantly to his income stream.
After retirement, he continued to build his wealth through real estate investments, coaching positions, and business ventures, demonstrating financial acumen that extended well beyond his playing career.
He served as the head coach of the Charlotte Sting in the WNBA. Additionally, he has been involved in community work and motivational speaking.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- At age five, he was hit by a stray buckshot in his neighborhood and had to be hospitalized, marking one of several challenges in his troubled childhood.
- Before focusing solely on basketball, he excelled as both a wrestler and a baseball player in his youth.
- As a student at Dunbar High School, he initially transferred there to pursue his aspiration of becoming a dental technician, as the school offered healthcare classes.
