Little Men, Big Faith

     Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues, once the NBA’s little engine that could, defiantly rebuked the notion of limits when he entered the NBA Draft in 1987. At only 5’3, Muggsy was too small to play in the NBA, or so he’d been told. Guys his size had no business playing sports at any level, let alone professionally, many often mocked.
     Muggsy proved that statement a falsity while enjoying a successful 14-year career in basketball’s most prominent league. He remains today the smallest player to ever wear an NBA uniform. It is largely because of him that many small guards across the world have faith in themselves, and now more than ever, that faith is being tested.
     While the storm of free agency in the NBA is at its calm, the opposite can be said for professional overseas players who have yet to sign on dotted lines. While various countries have their own leagues with their own starting dates, professional basketball in Europe, where the quality of play is second to only the USA, is nearly a month away.
    Finding a suitable team in a European country can be a stark challenge for American cagers. This is especially true when the coaches U.S. players hope to be recruited by speak a different language, sleep at a different hour, don’t enjoy burgers or fries, and have never seen the faces or names of those their scouts recruit.
     While the eye test allows forwards and centers to pass with flying colors, it leaves small guards with F’s time after time. Regardless of any gaudy stats and film, the majority of faraway coaches don’t want players shorter than 6’0 who they have never seen. As a result, this is why the ‘Muggsy Mentality’ must be in every point guard if one hopes to thrive on foreign soil.

     Most coaches ruled out Muggsy Bogues after one look at him. One anonymous college coach degradingly once joked he could fit Muggsy in his pocket. That certainly didn’t stop the little man from reaching his dream of becoming a full-time basketball player in the NBA, but instead fueled that dream into reality. Muggsy’s mindset could be summed up in one phrase: “You can’t stop me.”
     It only took one basketball mind to take a chance on heart trumping height. Kevin Loughery, who at the time led the Washington Bullets, was that man. Muggsy needed only one opportunity, and coach Lougery gave him just that. Muggsy did the rest.
     The little man eventually joined the Charlotte Hornets, where he now remains the franchise’s all-time leader in assists, steals, and minutes played. He was small, but he was driven. He was short, but he could play. Most importantly, when he got his shot, he proved his worth.
     Guards all over the world can take inspiration from Muggsy’s career. While free agency is nearing its climax for many overseas professionals, now is the time for professional American-born guards seeking a distant opportunity to avoid doubt and concern, just as Muggsy did. Now is the time when the little guys of the world must work for their contracts, but remain confident, and embrace the opportunities when they arrive. Now is the time to believe.