Every year in the NBA Draft, teams look to find franchise cornerstones and future superstars.
However, some of the league’s best players were never even drafted.
Throughout NBA history, talented players have slipped through the cracks only to thrive when given an opportunity.
Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace went undrafted out of Virginia Union in 1996.
Though undersized for a center at 6’9″ (2.05m), Wallace made up for it with athleticism, physicality, and unmatched intensity. After signing with the Washington Bullets, Wallace had stints in Orlando and Detroit before cementing his legacy with the Pistons.
Wallace was a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, four-time NBA All-Star, and won an NBA title with the Pistons in 2004.
He led the league in rebounds twice and blocks once while making six All-Defensive First Teams.
Wallace will be the first undrafted player from the modern draft era to make the Naismith Hall of Fame.
John Starks
John Starks went undrafted out of Oklahoma State in 1988 and started his career playing in the CBA.
After a season with the Warriors, Starks signed with the Knicks in 1990 where he became a fan favorite and franchise icon.
Starks averaged 14 points per game through 8 seasons with the Knicks while providing tenacious defense and electrifying dunks.
His iconic Game 7 dunk over Horace Grant and Michael Jordan in the 1993 East Finals embodied the spirit of those rough and tumble Knicks teams.
Brad Miller
After going undrafted in 1998 out of Purdue, Brad Miller spent time overseas before returning to the NBA.
Miller eventually developed into an efficient scorer and adept passer for a big man. He was a key cog for playoff teams in Indiana, Sacramento, and Houston.
Miller is one of only four undrafted players to make multiple All-Star teams, doing so in 2003 and 2004.
For his career, Miller averaged 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists while shooting 47% from the field.
Miller proved big men don’t need to be high flyers to impress.
Darrell Armstrong
Darrell Armstrong went undrafted out of Fayetteville State in 1991.
He began his pro career playing overseas and in the CBA before signing with the Magic in 1995. There Armstrong emerged as an energizing force off the bench.
Armstrong won Sixth Man of the Year and Most Improved Player honors in 1999.
In 14 NBA seasons he averaged 9 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 38% from behind the arc.
His infectious effort embodied the “Heart and Hustle” mantra of those 1990s Magic teams.
Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson played college ball at Southern University after transferring from Cameron University.
He went undrafted in 1988 before ultimately signing with the Seattle Supersonics in 1990.
Johnson spent over 10 years in the NBA, winning a championship with the Spurs in 1999 while averaging 8 points and 5 assists for his career.
As a head coach Johnson led the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006 and took home Coach of the Year honors in 2006.
Udonis Haslem
In 2003, the Miami Heat signed Udonis Haslem after he went undrafted out of Florida.
Nearly 20 years later Haslem is still with the franchise, winning 3 championships and setting team records for career offensive rebounds and rebounds overall.
Haslem embraced the Heat‘s “lunchpail” mentality and played whatever role was asked of him.
His grit and veteran leadership were integral to the Heat being contenders for two decades.
Haslem is the definition of a career underdog exceeding expectations.
Bruce Bowen
Bruce Bowen is arguably the best perimeter defender of the early 2000’s.
Coming out of Cal State Fullerton Bowen went undrafted in 1992 before embarking on a long career mostly with the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, winning 3 championships.
Bowen made 8 straight All-Defensive First or Second teams from 2000-2007 thanks to his ability to lock down the opposing team’s best wing scorer each night.
Kobe Bryant called Bowen the toughest defender he ever faced, high praise from one of the all-time greats.
Jeremy Lin
In 2010 Jeremy Lin was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Golden State Warriors out of Harvard.
He bounced between the NBA and the D-League before breaking out with the Knicks in 2012 during the height of “Linsanity” as a global icon.
Lin electrified Madison Square Garden and the league by scoring 136 points in his first 5 starts.
Though injuries derailed his time with New York, Lin persevered as a quality starter for several franchises, even winning a championship with the 2019 Toronto Raptors.
Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet went undrafted out of Wichita State in 2016.
After being a supporting piece on the Raptors team that won an NBA title in 2019, VanVleet blossomed into one of the best two-way guards in the NBA and an All-Star in 2022.
In 2021-22 VanVleet set career highs in points (21.4) and assists (6.7) while shooting over 39% on three-pointers.
His resiliency and self-confidence despite being overlooked serves as an inspiration to all undrafted players chasing their NBA dreams.
Connie Hawkins
Though his pro career began in the ABA, Connie Hawkins had been one of the most promising prospects ever coming out of high school in 1960.
He was ultimately banned by the NBA for point shaving allegations before becoming a superstar in the ABA.
When Hawkins finally joined the NBA with the Suns in 1969 he instantly became an All-Star, averaging 24 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists his first season.
Legal troubles had robbed Hawkins of his prime years, but his talent and legacy remain legendary decades later.
Sources:
www.sportingnews.com/ca/nba/news/ranking-the-10-best-undrafted-players-in-nba-history/1lwg2z3vtimvu1ukkget6ke1hv
fansided.com/2023/05/31/nba-players-10-best-undrafted-players/
www.ranker.com/list/best-undrafted-nba-players-all-time/patrick-alexander
