Tyrone (Muggsy) Bogues

Muggsy w/Manute Bol who's 2' 4

Everyone in life needs a hero to inspire them. Like many people, I have lots of heroes. For example, I look up to and respect my parents, other family members, sports players, and intelligent people. To me, they are all terrific people, but I have chosen just one to write about today.

I have chosen Muggsy Bogues to be my hero for many reasons. One is that he played in the NBA and I like sports, especially basketball. Two, he was the shortest player ever to play in the NBA and I am very short. Three, he didn’t let his height stop him from playing, and I believe strongly that no one can tell me what I can and can’t do. Four, he is one of the best athletes ever with a four foot vertical leap. Five, he was smart enough to make it through college and become a real estate agent. Six, he was fast as lightning and I greatly admire speed and want to be as fast as I can.

Muggsy Bogues is not just a basketball player; he has a personal life just like you and me. His full name is Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues. He is five feet three inches and weighs 136 pounds. He was born January 9, 1965, in Baltimore, Maryland. His dad’s name is Richard Bogues and his mom’s is Elaine Bogues. He earned his nickname for his physical style of play that resembles mugging. He grew up in a bad part of town, full of gunfire and drugs. He first played basketball with a wicker basket that was hung on a fence. When he was twelve years old, his dad was arrested for strong armed robbery. Even with his father being away, however,Muggsy joined a city league at 13 and was named MVP in a tournament. He was lucky enough to transfer to Dunbar High School, but he did not play there until his junior year. On his senior year, he played for an undefeated team and was named MVP of the Baltimore City Public Schools Tournament.

He was offered to play at both Georgetown and Wake Forest. He accepted Wake Forest’s offer. He set a record of assists and averaged 11.6 points and 8.4 assists. Even though he was short, he could still dunk a basketball. He was named to the 1986 U.S. National team, and with him the team won the gold medal for the first time in nearly thirty years. He had 579 assists in his senior year, and he led the ACC in steals and minutes played. Finally, Wake Forest retired his jersey, number 14. In the 1987 NBA draft, he was selected twelfth by the Washington Bullets. Using the money he had received, he got his dad out of jail, bought a house for his mother, and purchased a Mercedes. He was then entered in the expansion draft, a draft for second year reserve players. He was picked by the Charlotte Hornets in 1988. He then had many all-star seasons and was very successful at Charlotte.

In his last years in the NBA, he played for the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks, but he didn’t have success with any of those teams. He then became a real estate agent until he was offered to coach a girl’s basketball team. He now lives with his wife, Kimberly, and his son, Tyrone Jr.

I think Muggsy Bogues is a persistent, great man who never gives up. I will always think of him as my hero. He is a terrific person and continues to inspire me today. Not many people know of his achievements, so I decided to spread the word. I hope you now feel about him as I do.