 He joined the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association the following year, and played eight seasons in the league with the Hawks, San Diego Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.When he entered the NBA, Criss was the league's shortest active player.In his NBA career, Criss averaged 8.5 points and 3.2 assists per game, his best year being his first, posting averages of 11 points and 4 assists in 77 matches.