Muggsy Bogues Net Worth - Pulptastic
Sarah Rodriguez
Published Apr 10, 2026
What is Muggsy Bogues’ Net Worth and Career Earnings?
Muggsy Bogues, famously known as “the shortest guy” in the NBA, has a net worth of $14 million. Despite standing at only 5 ft 3 in, he had a successful 14-season career as a point guard for four different teams, including the Charlotte Hornets, where he played for ten seasons.
Although the average height of an NBA player is 6 ft 7 in, Bogues’ height did not stop him from becoming a respected player in the league. He also played for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors during his career.
Muggsy Bogues’ Career Earnings
Muggsy Bogues, the former NBA player, earned around $18 million in salary during his career. Adjusting for inflation, this amount is equivalent to around $34 million in today’s dollars. Additionally, Muggsy earned several million more from endorsements.
Muggsy Bogues’ Height and NBA History
Muggsy Bogues is famously the shortest player to ever compete in the NBA, standing at just 5 foot 3 inches tall.
In his rookie year, Muggsy Bogues played alongside Manute Bol, one of the tallest players in NBA history at 7 foot 7 inches. This made for a height difference of 2 feet 4 inches (28 total inches) between the two teammates.
Muggsy Bogues’ Dunking Ability: Debunking the Legend
Despite what many believe, Muggsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history at 5’3″, could not dunk. However, he was able to touch the rim, which is still an impressive feat considering his height.
A photo from 1987 shows Muggsy standing next to Manute Bol, who stood at 7’7″, highlighting the drastic difference in height between the two players.
Muggsy Bogues’ Childhood and High School Basketball Career
Muggsy Bogues was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1965 and grew up in the Lafayette Court housing projects. He experienced a difficult childhood, including being hospitalized at age 5 after being hit by stray buckshot and his father being sentenced to twenty years in prison for armed robbery when Bogues was 12. His brother also began using hard drugs around this time.
Despite these challenges, Bogues found solace in basketball and played for the Dunbar Poets at Dunbar High School in Baltimore. During his high school career, the Dunbar Poets went undefeated with a record of 31-0 in his senior season, earning them the number 1 ranking in the nation by “USA Today.”
College and International Career
Muggsy Bogues received multiple scholarship offers for college basketball and chose to attend Wake Forest University where he played for 4 years. He received the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award and led the Atlantic Coast Conference in steals and assists during the 1986-1987 season. He also became Wake Forest’s most valuable athlete and was given the Arnold Palmer Award during his senior year.
At the 1986 FIBA World Championship, Bogues played for the USA national team and led them in assists and steals, eventually winning them the gold medal. He played in every game of the tournament under head coach Lute Olson.
Muggsy Bogues’ NBA Career
Muggsy Bogues was chosen second overall by the Rhode Island Gulls in the 1987 United States Basketball League draft. He was later selected 12th overall by the Washington Bullets in the 1987 NBA draft. Bogues made his NBA debut against the Atlanta Hawks on November 6, 1987, and led the team in assists. He played ten seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, leading the team to the playoffs three times and becoming one of the top players of the Hornets. He underwent surgery on his left knee in 1995, which led to a strained relationship with the team and eventually being traded to the Golden State Warriors in 1997. Bogues played his last game on January 27, 2001, and ranked 12th all-time in assists and 13th all-time in assists per game in NBA history at the end of his last season.
Marriage and Children
Muggsy Bogues became a father at the age of 17 when he had a daughter named Tyisha. Later, he met Kim at a Dunbar High School alumni game in 1984. They tied the knot in 1989 and had a daughter named Brittney in 1987. After their marriage, they welcomed a son named Ty in 1991. However, the couple divorced in 1997.
In 2015, Muggsy Bogues and Kim remarried.
Muggsy Bogues’ Career After NBA
After retiring from the NBA, Muggsy Bogues pursued a career in real estate. In 2005, he became the head coach of the Charlotte Sting in the Women’s National Basketball Association. Later, in 2011, he became the head coach of the United Faith Christian Academy boys’ high school basketball team. However, he stepped down in 2014 to pursue other opportunities.
Following his resignation, Bogues was named the Charlotte Hornets’ Ambassador on March 18 of the same year. He participated in the team’s rebranding process.
In January 2020, Muggsy Bogues was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Bogues’ Appearances on Screen
Bogues starred in the film “Space Jam” alongside other renowned NBA players. He also made appearances on popular shows such as “Curb your Enthusiasm,” “Saturday Night Live,” and “Eddie.”