Nuggets Nation

Happy 50th Birthday to Earl Boykins.

At just 5'5" (165 cm), Boykins became the second-shortest player in NBA history. In college, he was unstoppable. At Eastern Michigan, Boykins averaged 26.8 points per game as a senior, finishing second in all of Division I scoring.

Still, NBA teams passed on him. Undrafted. Too small. Not enough upside. Or so they thought.

Boykins eventually earned his opportunity and became one of the NBA's most dangerous bench scorers with the Denver Nuggets.

In a league built for giants, Earl Boykins carved out a career through toughness, skill, and relentless belief. He played for 13 years.

At 5'5", he was one of the smallest players ever.