Small guards, those under 6’2”, are not en vogue in today’s NBA but there is a current crop of small-guard prospects in college basketball that might be too good to pass-up on draft day.
Over the past few years we’ve seen only a few small guards find success in the NBA. And we’ve seen many very talented players fail to make an impact in the NBA, primarily due to their small stature.
The small guards that do make it in the NBA tend to be athletes that make up for their lack of height with great strength and power (think: Fred VanVleet), which allows them to hold up on the defensive end.
The cut-off for small guards is somewhat arbitrary but generally speaking I would consider any point guard under 6-2 to fit into this category and any shooting guard under 6-4.
While their lack of ideal height will limit their upside and hurt their draft stock these small guards are so talented that I think some of the players listed below could find a role in the league.
One player that isn’t on this list is Boogie Fland, who is listed at 6-2, so is too big for this list (although his actual height is probably something under 6-2).
Undersized Point Guards/Primary Ball Handlers
Tahaad Pettiford - 6-1 - Auburn - Pettiford is one of the most dynamic scorers in the country. Only a freshman, he’s one of the main engines of the current no.1 team in the country. He’s a score-first player who loves to get his own shot off the bounce by getting into the lane or pulling up from deep. He’s listed at 6-1, has a light and wiry frame but has good length and is a very explosive athlete. He’s one of the best small-guard dunkers you’ll find and is a blur in the open court. He does some nice things on defense but can certainly be a liability when it comes to guarding bigger guards.
Draft Outlook: Pettiford would be well served to spend a few years at Auburn, get that NIL money and develop his game. He’s probably not going to be a first rounder but he’s dynamic enough to get drafted. If his scoring and play-making continue to develop and grow there’s a chance he slips into the first round, whenever he does enter the draft.
Rob Wright III – 6-0 – Baylor – Wright is incredibly dynamic with the ball in his hands and excels at getting to the rim and finishing tough shots in traffic. He’s already a major force for Baylor and should go on to have an awesome college career (and make a lot of money along the way). He’ll have to develop into a true knockdown 3pt shooter to make it in the NBA, and prove that he can hold up on the defensive end. Despite his small size he has an awesome knack for scoring in the lane and has a great feel/touch/instincts for scoring over length.
Draft Outlook: Wright will most likely be a 3 or 4 year college player and a possible second around pick after that.
Braden Smith - 6-0 - Purdue - Smith is having a monster junior season for the Boilermakers and is one of the best players in college basketball. He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands, is a shot-maker and is an incredibly pesky defender. He’s only 6-0 but has good length and wiry strength. He’s not an elite vertical athlete but is very tough, can handle physicality and plays bigger than his size.
Draft Outlook: Probably stays one more year at Purdue, dominates college basketball and could be a second round pick in 2026.
John Mobley Jr. – 6-1 – Ohio State – There are good shooters and then there are John Mobley Jr. level shooters. He’s got unlimited range and is lethal from downtown. He’s a solid athlete and has some bulk and strength to his frame that helps him play through contract and hold up on the defensive end. He’s quick but not overly explosive and is more of a below the rim player.
Draft Outlook: I hope he stays a few years and hones his craft. I don’t see him as a first rounder, at least not at this stage, mainly due to his lack of size.
Mark Sears - 5-11 - Alabama - Sears will go down as one of the better point guards in Alabama history. But his lack of size will almost certainly keep him from being an impact NBA player.
Draft Outlook: Undrafted
Ahmad Nowell 6-0 – UConn – Nowell doesn’t have great stature but he has broad shoulders and a strong frame, which could help him advance to the next level. He hasn’t gotten much run this year for UConn but could be a breakout star next season.
Draft Outlook: possible second round pick in 2026 or 2027.
Ryan Nembhard - 6-0 - Gonzaga - A consummate point guard, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ryan land on a NBA roster as a high character, coach on the floor type of back-up point guard. If not, he’ll have a long career overseas or in the G League.
Draft Outlook: possible late second round pick or undrafted.
Elliot Cadeau – 6- 1 – North Carolina – A really good college player who should stay for four years at UNC and get that big NIL bag. He’s not likely to be a NBA player unless he somehow develops into an elite 3pt shooter to go along with his great play-making skills.
Draft Outlook: Undrafted
Undersized Shooting Guards/Off Ball Guards
Walter Clayton Jr. - 6-2 - Florida - While Clayton Jr. can play with the ball in his hands I see him as more of secondary ball handler/off ball player. He’s an awesome shot-maker and can catch fire from downtown.
Draft Outlook: possible late second round pick.
D.J. Wagner – 6-2 – Arkansas – The former 5-star recruit is starting to figure it out and put it together in his second college season and has a chance to be an off-the-bench scoring guard at the next level. But he’d be well served to spend the next two years in school developing his game.
Draft Outlook: possible second round pick.
Mikey Williams - 6-2 - UCF - Dude was fun to watch in high school but he’s got a lot of work to do to be a good college player, let along a NBA player.
Draft Outlook: Undrafted
RJ Davis – 6-0 – North Carolina – Davis is a great college player who scores in bunches but he’s just too small and not dynamic enough as an athlete to make it in the NBA game, IMHO.
Draft Outlook: Nah bruv
A few other small guards who are really nice college players but would have to have a lot of things go right to be NBA players include: Zakai Ziegler (Tennessee), Jordan Pope (Texas), Jackson Shelstad (Oregon)
See where these prospects land in the 2025 and 2026 mock drafts