It was a few days ago that I visited my cousin in New Haven, Connecticut, and met his fifteen-year-old granddaughter. A tall, graceful young lady with a confident stride and a sparkle in her eye. “I want to play professional basketball, Uncle Bob!” she said, her voice brimming with youthful determination.

Well, she had the height. But her comment got me thinking—not about the tall ones, but the ones on the other end of the measuring tape. The short ones. The overlooked. The “too-small-to-bother” group.

And then I read about Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues.

Now, dear reader, if you’re reclining in your chair thinking this is just another underdog story, tighten your seatbelt. Because Muggsy wasn’t just shorter than his opponents—he was a full 5 feet 3 inches tall.

And for you cricket lovers, that’s shorter than a wicketkeeper crouched behind the stumps—and just about tall enough to duck under a bouncer after bending! Ask Sachin or Gavaskar!

But here’s the twist: he made it.

Born in the rough streets of Baltimore, a neighborhood where dodging bullets was more real than dodging defenders, little Tyrone was shot in the arm when he was just five. That could have been the end of any future. But Muggsy didn’t stop. He started running—on courts, through setbacks, and past every sarcastic comment hurled his way.

High school? He dominated. College? He dazzled. And then, in 1987, came the moment when jaws dropped and eyebrows rose—the NBA (National Basketball Association) drafted him 12th overall. Yes, the shortest man in NBA history went ahead of players who could reach the basket without leaving the ground.

In basketball language, he wasn’t dunking. He was delivering—7.6 assists per game, nearly 900 games, and 14 years of making giants look foolish.

What’s the lesson here?

It’s not just about basketball. It’s about every time someone says you’re too old, too young, too broke, too shy, too something. It’s about pushing past the “too’s” and showing the world what you are.

Because Muggsy didn’t make it despite being short. He made it because he was brave, fast, focused, and utterly unbothered by what others thought.

So to anyone who’s thinking they don’t measure up—let Muggsy dribble into your heart. Let his story whisper to your fears and shout at your doubts.

And there’s another short chap who made it tall; Zacheus- he was stretched tall by the One above!

As for me, I may not make it to the NBA at this age, but I’ve started walking a little taller around the house—especially when trying to reach the cashew nuts my daughter keeps on the top shelf.

And yes, I may never end up as Shakespeare, but if Muggsy could make it among the giants, maybe—just maybe—I can write a book or two that hits home.

After all, it’s not about how tall you are. It’s about how tall your dreams stand…!

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