Standing only five feet, seven inches tall, Spud Webb was one of the shortest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. Despite his diminutive size, Webb enjoyed superstardom as a small man in a big man's game. In what was perhaps the crowning achievement of his twelve-year career in professional basketball, Webb won the NBA Slam Dunk Championship in 1986. Looking back on this win, Webb recalled, "No one expected or imagined that a person of my size could win the slam dunk contest. It was the highlight of my career and everybody recognizes me from the slam dunk contest. But I played twelve years in the NBA and performed every year, that's what you really want to be recognized for. There's no way to dodge the stigma that's put on you for winning the slam dunk contest at my size."
He was born Anthony Jerome Webb in Dallas, Texas, on July 13, 1963. Living with his parents and five siblings in a small, three-bedroom home, he began playing basketball while still quite young, overcoming the limitations of his small stature with his uncanny ability to jump higher than the bigger kids in the neighborhood. Early in his teens, Webb, standing only four feet, 11 inches tall, found th…
Despite his impressive high school record, colleges showed little interest in Webb. Unwilling to give up on his dream of college, he enrolled at Midland Junior College and in 1982 led Midland's basketball team to the national junior college championship. After seeing Webb play for Midland, Tom Abatemarco, assistant basketball coach at North Carolina State University, suggested to his boss&#…
Although Webb somehow made it all look easy, he made it clear that his performance was the result of years of hard work and practice. "Most people believe that I can dunk and play in the NBA because of my God-given talent," he said. "This is only half true. I also spent countless hours training to improve my jumping ability. I must have tried dunking over 1,000 times before I …
"Jim Valvano." Almanac of Famous People, 6th ed. Detroit: Gale Group, 1998. "Spud Webb." Almanac of Famous People, 6th ed. Detroit: Gale Group, 1998. "Spud Webb." Who's Who Among African Americans, 14th ed. Detroit: Gale Group, 2001. Cornwell, Susan. "T-Wolves Trade Laettner to Hawks on Trade Deadline Day." Reuters (February 22, 1996).…
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Dear mr Webb you are my favorite player I was wondering if you would autograph a. card if I sent one to you. Jarrett Fueger 11 Waunakee Wisconsin
over 4 years ago
spud webb is great
about 2 years ago
i want him to come back to the NBA
over 1 year ago
Hey uncle spud i think u should start back playing basketball and u are the best!!!!!!
over 1 year ago
Hey Spud Webb, I Want To Ask You How I Can Jump So Much Like You Because I'm 5'10 And I Can Touch The Rim But I Can't Dunk Like You Please Tell Me What I Need To Do Ty For Your Time ....
about 4 years ago
yea um kinda short 6'2 and scored 24 points last game
over 5 years ago
This was a great article but Spud Webb is actually 5 feets 7 inches tall. I met him 4 years ago in Atlanta and asked him his height and he told me he was 5"6 inches. Thanks
over 5 years ago
well i just want to tell you that you had made me be the basketball player that i am today im 16 yrs old and i would love to play in the wnba i am also short im 4'11 yeah shorter then you but i can shoot atleast 10 three points a game
User Comments
about 2 years ago
Dear mr Webb you are my favorite player I was wondering if you would autograph a. card if I sent one to you. Jarrett Fueger 11 Waunakee Wisconsin
over 4 years ago
spud webb is great
about 2 years ago
i want him to come back to the NBA
over 1 year ago
Hey uncle spud i think u should start back playing basketball and u are the best!!!!!!
over 1 year ago
Hey Spud Webb,
I Want To Ask You How I Can Jump So Much Like You Because
I'm 5'10 And I Can Touch The Rim But I Can't Dunk Like You
Please Tell Me What I Need To Do Ty For Your Time ....
about 4 years ago
yea um kinda short 6'2 and scored 24 points last game
over 5 years ago
This was a great article but Spud Webb is actually 5 feets 7 inches tall. I met him 4 years ago in Atlanta and asked him his height and he told me he was 5"6 inches. Thanks
over 5 years ago
well i just want to tell you that you had made me be the basketball player that i am today im 16 yrs old and i would love to play in the wnba i am also short im 4'11 yeah shorter then you but i can shoot atleast 10 three points a game