Wake Forest: Muggsy Bogues, candidate for Naismith Hall of Fame

Former Wake Forest Demon Deacons Muggsy Bogues may be one of basketball’s smallest players, but that does mean he can’t be a Hall of Famer.

Muggsy Bogues is remembered as the 5’3″ guard who played for the Charlotte Hornets in the early 1990s. Bogues has the opportunity add something else to his resume’. Bogues, Tracy McGrady and Ben Wallace headline first-time candidates eligible to become inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball of Fame.

Prior to becoming the shortest basketball player ever in the NBA, Bogues was an ACC basketball player at Wake Forest University.

Bogues played for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 1983-1987. During his college career, Bogues averaged 8.3 points, 6.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

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As a junior at Wake Forest, Bogues averaged 11.3 points, 8.4 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game. During his senior year, Bogues averaged 14.8 points, 9.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.

He was drafted by the Washington Bullets (known as the Washington Wizards today) in the 1987 NBA Draft as the 12th overall selection. For the next 10 seasons, Bogues played for the Charlotte Hornets. He finished his NBA career playing for the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors. His NBA career averages are 7.7 points, 7.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.53 steals per game.

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Bogues’ achievements include leading the Hornets all-time in minutes played (19,768), assists (5,557) and steals (1,067). In addition, he was first-team All-ACC in 1987. Bogues won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, given to basketball players who excel on the court despite their shorter-than-average height. His No. 14 jersey is retired by Wake Forest University.

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Muggsy Bogues is a legend on and off the basketball court. He deserves to be Hall of Famer for overcoming numerous odds to have a lengthy NBA career. He was one of the first basketball players below a height of 5’6″ to play in the NBA. His success paved the way for many other short basketball players.