How America’s Shortest Player Broke European Basketball

[@BadWolve]

Click bait thumbnail...

[@slideman1249]

Did you genuinely believe there was a 4’11 good pro bball player

[@kinkroze]

​@@slideman1249 Doesn't matter if we believe it. It's lying for the purpose of luring in viewers. Clearly a down vote for me.

[@P3-Hl]

@@kinkroze bro got me man

[@Tmathh]

@@slideman1249 yes

[@b.o.1951]

@@slideman1249yes Ever herd of Earl Boykins ??

[@dstarsnz]

I pray he wins MVP of Eurolegue.... he is a true Underdog story.... Love to see it.

[@Nonstopbullcrap]

Thumbnail says 4’11 😑

[@NigraXXL]

Yeah... He's getting away with it because the video is well made and the player is still impressive, but it's a shame he has to straight out lie with the click bait

[@Mptreeby]

But he's done it properly. Came to Europe, Won the Eurocup MVP, won the Champions league MVP and then is now competing at the highest level of European basketball. Very sensible to me keep improving and upping levels

[@zeeunveil1324]

finally the undersize players are getting some recognization and that includes yuki.

[@HampETX903]

If you hoop for real you know them the hardest people to guard for real the reason it does translate is because of defense

[@loveandwater]

Click bait thumbnail lie

[@EsauistheCaucasian]

when videos do that I x out no matter what the content is. FACTS.

[@KRHProductions]

5"9 .. so what is that 4"11 thumbnail then? MISLEADING AGAIN? Shame on you mate

[@SWills-ih1qf]

Watching this dude play gives me.goosebumps. I need to find his jersy

[@nupc717]

his name is really tj SHORTS ?? this is really a simulation

[@barryallen1035]

Or maybe *_EL ELYŌN_* has a sense of humor.

[@sn0_]

actually destined to be short lmao

[@d-mass]

Lol he ain't even short, in real life that's a normal height!! Just for a sport like basketball that's where he is short

[@redwood92]

Not like we haven’t seen Isaiah Thomas do it in the NBA, but like Thomas he would be a glaring liability on defence and would be targeted.

[@Romanus-]

Yep. It’s unfortunate but it’s almost impossible to be that height and not be a compete disaster on defense. Even guys that are 6ft 2/3 are rarely not liabilities on defense. Having long arms in a sport where people are trying to shoot a ball over your arms is of course a massive advantage

[@dstarsnz]

@@Romanus- You have to build the team around him ... to account for that.... Just like Boston did with IT before they tossed him off..... If you don't build the team around him (which no current NBA franchise wuld take such a gamble) and the set plays around him as the star, then he gets exposed..... that works the same way for a tall slow player like Taco fall.... His college coach new how to use him as they built the team around him..... his coaches after college do not.... so he gets exposed as a tall lamp post.... wack on defense.

[@ossangar]

Did you ever see Isaiah play defense? Isaiah was a bulldog and a very good defensive player. Or are you talking about the younger Isaiah Thomas that played with Boston?

[@redwood92]

@@ossangar 5"9 Isaiah for the Celtics, not Isiah

[@gabepizza]

@@redwood92 that Isiah was 35 years ago. The league has changed a lot since then. And even he was 6'1"

[@Cc3430-cj3ye]

Any defensive highlight of him? people always talk about how great their offense is and not mentioning defense

[@Rufgaudas]

Euroleague teams play more of a team based defense, and always can hide 1 or even 2 bad defenders in their defensive systems (via switching, helping rotations, doubling, taking risks of bad shooters, etc.). While 1on1 he will not be able to hold his ground vs taller players, but defensive systems is enough to hide his weakness.

[@chimdoggg]

Mid Major legend.. my brother. Salute for the video

[@dleon0902]

TJ Shorts is like Stephen Curry but faster.

[@tollbridgeahead1034]

I don't know this guy, I've never heard of him, but after watching this, I love him already. This is my idea of a champion with a huge heart!

[@robertgreenwood1435]

I hope he is given a chance in the NBA. He reminds me of Nate " Tiny" Archibald. " a great scorer and assist man.

[@LiadXYTEK]

He has some elite jumpers and the lay ups are nasty.

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

5 foot 9-

[@Assen87]

Till some NBA team gets him and keep him on the bench just cause they dont really believe he can do it.

[@Romanus-]

Because he can’t man. The list of guys his height that make it in the nba is absolutely tiny, no pun intended. Guys that size get targeted on defense relentlessly and it makes the rest of the team have to cover constantly for him. If you are that small you have to be dominating on offense and have amazing efficiency from 3 to stick in the NBA.

[@Ramitos31]

he can get that NBA bag for a year then go back to Europe and chill financially xD

[@kdude1000]

What I learned half way through the video is how much NBA players were now over in EuroLeague...... and I had no idea some of them were even cut!

[@leedza]

People act like not getting drafted or going to Europe is the worst thing that could happen. It's not NBA money but they still get to play in competitive leagues. The olympics and FIBA tournaments are testament to how good European basketball has become, the USA has to bring the best of the best to win.

[@samcalven12]

@@leedza European teams have huge advantage most of their play together and build chemistry for years. Meanwhile each USA team is new and they only get about 2 months to actually practice together , yet they still win over other teams.

[@rodneyclutch9377]

If Jabari Parker could play in the NBA , T.J. shorts definitely can!🎉

[@christoffer5875]

they dont got none of those 6'6+ PGs in euroleague thats the issue. Cool game he has developed tho, when he gets near the paint he looks pretty fkn tough to deal with

[@CarlosMendez003]

You're right. Being that small has it's advantages. The quickness is top level and run circle around the bigs. You can see he knows exactly how what he's doing when he's going in against bigger comp. You need to have mad body control and athletesisim to pull off what he can do. Unbelieveable.

[@edbabine]

lowkey, they should be a professional league for all the high-caliber players under 6ft. So much talent out there, it would be interesting.

[@ahmadtolba3198]

DKM release a vid explaining euro league and what makes them a different league

[@PrebenHPedersen]

They Play fiba rule for one, and is actually allowed to Play defense

[@arashkordi7771]

He is a great GREAT player. But there are levels. If he was guarded by more athletic bigger NBA guards, he wouldn't be able to do half the stuff he does, or at least not as good. This is why Mirotic is Euroleage MVP and bench player in NBA. One of my favorite European players of all time and a legend, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, sort of same as Mirotic. There are levels.

[@cloudsmith7803]

yeah he could come off the bench for points and then back on.

[@barryallen1035]

*_T.J. Shorts II_* is legit!!! Come on, bro... 14-foot floaters? bruuuuuuuh!! That's just insane. OOOOO!!! WEEE!!! - *_Mr. Poopybutthole_*

[@MikeBellamy2]

2:05 My son touched earth 💀

[@bjlo8220]

Short can absolutely cook...my gawd, he's incredible!

[@kellangarnes2105]

Bro has one of the best pull up dribble shots I’ve ever seen can’t wait to see where he goes

[@kylepraseutsack6422]

A shorter iverson

[@cartoonclips3711]

This guy said the euro league is the most competitive league in the world?

[@BractonJoned]

I feel like you’re getting most talented and most competitive confused because euroleague is absolutely the most competitive

[@hiramsicles5580]

@@BractonJonedsorry as someone who doesn’t know much about the euro league why is it more competitive

[@BractonJoned]

@ basically it’s Ted lasso style as a American where teams get demoted and promoted like the Paris team tj plays for did in the video and there are less games overall and I’m pretty confident that point differential also matters when it comes to standing so all of that stuff makes every single game matter no matter how bad your teams doing because there’s never a point in any game where there isn’t something to play for

[@hiramsicles5580]

@ ok thanks

[@cartoonclips3711]

@@BractonJoned you're right, i was more refering to most talented thinking he was refering to that. But you're right.

[@edvardsrdic5642]

Great video, but TJ Shorts played european cup in Ventspils and Hakro C. Merlin, called Fiba Europe Cup, before FIBA Champions league , he was actually top scorer of that competition too

[@shawnmccarty1886]

Ömer Yurtseven should be in the league. That dude can play basketball.

[@maxmarinius]

Not to mention that he played/plays for the North Macedonian national team where he averages a lot of points too

[@santosferrer6581]

Everything is possible TJ, good luck.

[@ChristopherB417]

Click bait thumbnail.

[@zedrictorres8452]

If done properly a small player has the ability to disappear and re-appear, along with a high IQ can do exactly what this man is doing. Block out the noise and do what you do and you'll get somewhere simple as that.

[@RevSuperCars]

I would rather watch these games than the boring rigged NBA.

[@gabepizza]

if you don't mind watching a game where some 5'9" dominates go to your local park or YMCA/intramural league. Those people play out

[@bogartpif]

They faced panathinaikos in their home court !!!!Not on the road!!

[@thebombcat]

I think Shorts could play in the NBA, if they let him run a team...sort of a high scoring TJ McConnell.

[@Ulysses432]

without a consistent perimeter game, at his size, he's just not going to cut it in the land of 6' wingspans. He's not going to be able to get those running floaters off and what do you do with him on defense when you can just shoot right over him? I think he's great, but needs to stay where he can thrive, in Euro League

[@LordGospelMusic]

I refuse to believe he didn’t receive any NBA offers with all those MVPs. Maybe he just wants to stay in the EuroLeague?

[@George_V.]

It's his first year in Euroleague though

[@gabepizza]

are you joking? Euroleague MVP means nothing in the NBA unless you do it as a 17 year old like Luka.,

[@sink77.]

7:25 you know what else is massive

[@schmallson]

Impeccable footwork

[@huiabradshaw2478]

He's definitely got the goods his best weapon is speed and pace

[@jothkell9173]

His last name is shorts......how

[@bigb2707]

Hes IT before he got hurt.

[@vanaxel6217]

I can say i am a proud small guard 🫡 he is crazy stay in Europe, become great in Europe Basketball 🫡

[@VCNick]

All love to this dude. He should stay in the Europe, though. He obviously loves to play and wouldn't get playing time in the NBA. I mean, unless he wants to live in the US and play in a worse G-League.

[@sonnyyang5167]

I initially didn’t believe that was his last name.

[@xdpower1300]

Amennnn god blesss you all and follow god road and Jesus loves you all amennnn

[@principleswise9749]

*Amén!*

[@ssseeeeeiiiiiii]

easy credit bbl is a crazy name for a basketball league

[@brooklynknite]

It is like Europe really don't know what to do when it comes to dealing with ball handlers.

[@thomasarnal]

It is like you don’t know shit...

[@dstarsnz]

different basketball style.... different coaches tactics, smaller spacing.... is not a Europe thing.... its FIBA all round.... NBA is the one that changed rules and floor spacing.

[@4Ranchise]

Julian Newman has no excuses

[@haroldozaeta3614]

Thanks 🎉

[@h34dbust]

The beauty of European basketball is there are many levels of basketball leagues, so athletes can start from lower level league & move up to higher level league. Don't know much about U.S basketball leagues. Are there only NBA & G-League at national level after college level basketball?

[@gabepizza]

yes

[@rubenaustin9450]

Need to see him with wemby

[@caesars.3261]

Honestly Liangelo should’ve done the same

[@ScorpionF1RE_USA]

We need a peewee league... 6' guys and under... smaller court, smaller ball. it would be super quick and athletic as hell.

[@justcallmeole8342]

calling it that would be diabolical, though. 😂

[@_dj_dubz_]

He might be able to play for the spurs as a role player backup PG

[@anja6672]

He is listed as macedonian

[@Leonie-qk2wu]

Yes he got the nationality in 2022

[@skeletor5708]

*North Macedonian

[@anja6672]

​@@skeletor5708i know i was to lazy to write it😂😂😂😂

[@skeletor5708]

@@anja6672 lol

[@robinjohnson1141]

Muggsy Bogues was 5”3

[@Ulysses432]

different league/time

[@robinjohnson1141]

@ Same league different person🤦🏾

[@hungrymanincjj]

I want a European league game that not 2k like on micro transactions and maybe even a NBA vs European game

[@kylepraseutsack6422]

Shorts reminds me of a shorter Alan iverson

[@dhyannirmegh8327]

T.J and C.C The best

[@jonasbossio]

4'11" is 149 cm, i don't think it makes any sense😂

[@montevans7110]

Panithanikos has a NBA team basically.

[@kylepraseutsack6422]

I’m 5’5 playing play ground basketball and my height did affect me scoring drives on taller players and I was a slasher or can pull on 3 or midrange and able to rebound over taller players

[@dstarsnz]

Can someone explain how Shorts got naturalization by Macedonia.... its so strange to me. 🤔.... he plays so well for them too

[@bumbar7]

Naturalization is a common practice in Europe, especially for small countries like Macedonia. For example on the EuroBasket 2011 when Macedonia finished 4th place, the naturalized player Bo McCaleb was in an all star five alonside Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Kirilenko and Navaro. Simply, someone from macedonian basketball assosiation has a contant with the player (or the agent) they offer him citizenship to represent the country, and he is getting european citizenship, in this case non-European Union citizenship which I dont know how it works with the rules but when you open TJ Shorts player profile on Euroleague web-page it says that his nationality is Macedonian (US is not mentioned)... Also he gets exposure, because when he start playing for MKD he was playing in Basket Bonn in Germany, now he is playing (and leading) top tier of European basketball league (Euroleague) for Paris, and he just played two matches for MKD against Norway and Denmark which MKD won both during EuroBasket pre-qualifiers, also to be fair, he won Basketball Champions League with Bonn, but that's not a Euroleague level

[@dstarsnz]

@bumbar7 thank you for this. I have a way better understanding now.

[@gabepizza]

@@bumbar7 not only small countries. I mean Spain, one of the best European teams nationalized Lorenzo Brown. Basically FIBA allows one "nationalized" player so countries take advantage of it. The only connection for European countries is that they play in a European league, preferably Euroleague. It is the same of Asian teams to. Most of their nationalized players have at least at some point played in an Asian league, doesn't even have to be in their country but most of the time it is

[@Ramitos31]

Meanwhile, Gelo Ball is out there saying he "just needs another chance" to get into the NBA without making the effort like this guy. Overseas is the answer if you want proper reps and attention (and if are indeed a good player)

[@NikolaRadovic-m1t]

hes great buut dont get me wrong but the guy jumps into the defender that is standing in place and they are constantly calling it

[@ericjayfederizo3549]

411 can dunk is more impressive

[@FrankTaharka-ib2lo]

Earl boykins 2.0

[@thomasarnal]

Not talking about their current losing streak?

[@dstarsnz]

It's basketball it happens and also TJ was sick for one of those games

[@thomasarnal]

@@dstarsnz ok. My problem is the media is seeing them better than they really are. Yes, they won a few games but there needs to be a bit of a reality check here. Like saying that they are title contenders is absolutely deluded.

[@dstarsnz]

@@thomasarnal yeah true.... after that 10 game win streak The media was getting too ahead of themselves.

[@RASDB7]

Skills & Speed.

[@CarlosMendez003]

The feel good story for the end of 2024. Love this story! What NBA?

[@Rripahol]

Saddleback in the house

[@tyethomasson4875]

Euro IT

[@BatmanSupermanAoW]

He is weird looking. But good on him for his success.

[@darealliljable]

Seek help

[@AlfieRivera1989]

you said 4'11''

[@JacobG093]

5'9 isn't that short tbh

[@RobloxMakuraOfficial]

come on lets be honest, they wont make it to the playoffs

[@dstarsnz]

They will.... they just won't win this season

[@RetroRookie901]

the nba wouldve fined dude for making that 3 against one of their top teams!

[@philip5454]

I don't think so, he is American, he is marketable, he is young and has an awesome story. They would just be happy to have another short great player (Like Isaiah Thomas in 2017)

[@AlexSomers-d2n]

this is epic

[@Orange_DNA]

Get Shorty.

[@CarlosMendez003]

Who's got Who's got shorty? Not me!! I'm 6'2 and he'd run circle around my slow ass!! haha

[@nie9081]

nice bait

[@timnic9242]

good content, but is that by a human or AI ?

[@DKM_Sports]

Human

[@atatat54321]

Awesome!!!!

[@wesleyweber8488]

I love the story. I hope he keeps getting the props. It’s a shame we most likely still never see him over here in the us. McClung is dominating the G league and they still won’t even look at him, much less give him a chance. I don’t know what’s so special about the guy on the grizzlies. McClung is better. I think it’s a novelty.

[@Coffee_-cf9fx]

he looks like Walmart Dennis Schroeder

[@Jcald1109]

Nah shorts has consistency 😭

[@Coffee_-cf9fx]

thats real asf dennis lost to the grizzlies because of his inconstancy .

[@priestlauderdale20]

HA!

[@Zealient]

1st

[@chipperjoneszz]

Julian Newman needs to be on this team 😂😂😂😂