The NBA draft is an annual event where teams select players from college and international leagues. However, not all NBA players are drafted. Some players go undrafted and still make a big impact in the league.
List of Best Undrafted NBA Players Of All Time
Here are some of the best undrafted NBA players of all time.
1. Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in White Hall, Alabama in 1974, Wallace attended Virginia Union University, a Division II school, where he played basketball for four years. Despite his strong defensive skills, he went undrafted in the 1996 NBA Draft.
Wallace began his NBA career with the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards), where he played limited minutes in his first two seasons. In 1999, he was traded to the Orlando Magic, where he finally got a chance to showcase his defensive skills. He quickly emerged as one of the best defenders in the league, earning his first of four Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2002.
Wallace is known for his rebounding, shot-blocking, and interior defense. Despite standing only 6’9″ (relatively short for an NBA center), he was able to dominate the paint and shut down some of the best big men in the league. He was also a tenacious rebounder, leading the league in rebounds per game twice during his career.
Wallace played for multiple teams throughout his career, including the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Charlotte Bobcats. He was a four-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA selection, and won an NBA championship with the Pistons in 2004.
Off the court, Wallace was known for his quiet demeanor and work ethic. He was a leader in the locker room and a mentor to younger players. After retiring from the NBA in 2012, he became an assistant coach for the Pistons and later the Memphis Grizzlies.
Ben Wallace’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his talent and hard work. Despite not being selected in the draft, he was able to make his mark in the league and become one of the best defensive players in NBA history.
2. Udonis Haslem
Udonis Haslem is an American professional basketball player who is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in Miami, Florida in 1980, Haslem played high school basketball at Miami High School before attending the University of Florida. Despite a successful college career, he went undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Haslem began his professional career playing in France and then in the NBA Development League (now the G League) before getting his chance in the NBA. In 2003, he signed with his hometown Miami Heat, where he quickly established himself as a valuable role player. He was known for his toughness, rebounding, and mid-range jump shot.
Haslem was a key player on the Heat teams that won NBA championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013. He has spent his entire NBA career with the Heat and is the team’s all-time leader in rebounds. He has also been a mentor to younger players, including LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
Off the court, Haslem has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including hurricane relief efforts in Florida and the Bahamas. He has also been a vocal advocate for social justice and racial equality.
At the age of 41, Haslem is one of the oldest players in the NBA, but he continues to play a valuable role for the Heat as a leader and mentor to younger players. His success as an undrafted player is a testament to his talent, work ethic, and perseverance, and he will go down as one of the greatest undrafted players in NBA history.
3. Bruce Bowen
Bruce Bowen is a former American professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the best undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in Merced, California in 1971, Bowen attended Cal State Fullerton and played basketball for four years, but he went undrafted in the 1993 NBA Draft.
After playing in France and the CBA (now the NBL), Bowen finally got his chance in the NBA in 1997 when he signed with the Miami Heat. He quickly established himself as a valuable role player known for his defense, hustle, and three-point shooting.
Bowen played for several teams throughout his NBA career, including the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, and Charlotte Bobcats. It was with the Spurs that he achieved his greatest success, winning three NBA championships in 2003, 2005, and 2007. He was a key player on those teams, known for his lockdown defense and ability to hit timely three-pointers.
Bowen was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team eight times during his career, a testament to his defensive prowess. He was known for his ability to shut down some of the best players in the league, including Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
Off the court, Bowen has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting youth basketball programs in San Antonio and advocating for mental health awareness.
Bruce Bowen’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He was able to carve out a successful NBA career despite not being selected in the draft, and he will go down as one of the best defensive players in NBA history.
4. Brad Miller
Brad Miller is a former American professional basketball player who is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in Kendallville, Indiana in 1976, Miller attended Purdue University and played basketball for four years, but he went undrafted in the 1998 NBA Draft.
Miller began his professional career playing in Europe before finally getting his chance in the NBA in 1999 when he signed with the Charlotte Hornets. He quickly established himself as a valuable role player known for his size, rebounding, and mid-range jump shot.
Miller played for several teams throughout his NBA career, including the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, and Minnesota Timberwolves. He was a two-time NBA All-Star and played in the NBA Finals with the Pacers in 2000.
Miller was known for his tough, physical play and his ability to score both inside and outside. He was a skilled passer for a big man, and he could stretch the floor with his outside shooting. He was also a tenacious rebounder and shot-blocker.
Off the court, Miller has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting children’s hospitals and raising awareness for autism.
Brad Miller’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the draft, he was able to carve out a successful NBA career and become one of the best big men of his generation.
5. Wesley Matthews
Wesley Matthews is an American professional basketball player who is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1986, Matthews played college basketball at Marquette University for four years, but he went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft.
Matthews began his professional career playing for the Utah Jazz’s summer league team before signing a contract with the team. He quickly established himself as a valuable role player known for his defense and three-point shooting.
Matthews has played for several teams throughout his NBA career, including the Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, and Milwaukee Bucks. He has been known as a versatile player who can guard multiple positions and knock down outside shots.
Matthews has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team twice and has also participated in the Three-Point Contest during All-Star Weekend. He has played in the NBA Finals with the Mavericks in 2011, although they lost to the Miami Heat.
Off the court, Matthews has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting cancer research and working with children’s hospitals.
Wesley Matthews’ success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He was able to carve out a successful NBA career despite not being selected in the draft and has become known as one of the best 3-and-D players in the league.
6. Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet is an American professional basketball player who is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in Rockford, Illinois in 1994, VanVleet played college basketball at Wichita State University for four years, but he went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, VanVleet signed with the Toronto Raptors for the 2016 NBA Summer League. He impressed the team with his play and was eventually signed to a two-year contract. He quickly established himself as a valuable role player, known for his defense, outside shooting, and ability to facilitate the offense.
VanVleet has been a key player for the Raptors during his NBA career, playing an important role in their 2019 NBA Championship run. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and was a finalist for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in the 2019-2020 season.
VanVleet is known for his tenacious defense, especially on the perimeter, and his ability to knock down outside shots. He has become one of the best shooters in the league and is capable of scoring in bunches.
Off the court, VanVleet is known for his philanthropic efforts, including supporting children’s charities and advocating for social justice initiatives.
Fred VanVleet’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He has become one of the best players on a championship team and is a rising star in the league.
7. Robert Covington
Robert Covington is an American professional basketball player who is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in Bellwood, Illinois in 1990, Covington played college basketball at Tennessee State University for four years, but he went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, Covington played for various teams in the NBA Development League (now the G League) before finally getting his chance in the NBA with the Houston Rockets in 2014. He quickly established himself as a valuable role player known for his defense and outside shooting.
Covington has played for several teams throughout his NBA career, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Portland Trail Blazers. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Covington is known for his tenacious defense, especially on the perimeter, and his ability to knock down outside shots. He is one of the best three-and-D players in the league and has become a key player for his teams.
Off the court, Covington is involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting education and anti-bullying initiatives.
Robert Covington’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the draft, he was able to carve out a successful NBA career and become one of the best defenders in the league.
8. Raja Bell
Raja Bell is a retired American professional basketball player who is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands in 1976, Bell played college basketball at Florida International University for four years but went undrafted in the 1999 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, Bell played professionally overseas before finally getting his chance in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001. He quickly established himself as a valuable role player known for his defense and outside shooting.
Bell played for several teams throughout his NBA career, including the Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, and Golden State Warriors. He was known for his tenacious defense, especially on the perimeter, and his ability to knock down outside shots.
Bell was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2006 and was a key player on the Suns’ teams that made deep playoff runs in 2005 and 2006.
Off the court, Bell has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting education and youth programs.
Raja Bell’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the draft, he was able to carve out a successful NBA career and become one of the best perimeter defenders of his era.
9. John Starks
John Starks is a retired American professional basketball player who is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1965, Starks played college basketball at four different schools, including Oklahoma State University, but he went undrafted in the 1988 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, Starks played professionally overseas and in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) before finally getting his chance in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors in 1990. He quickly established himself as a valuable role player known for his defense, outside shooting, and aggressive playing style.
Starks played for several teams throughout his NBA career, including the Warriors, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and Utah Jazz. He was known for his tenacity on both ends of the court, and his fearless approach to the game. He was a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection and was named an NBA All-Star in 1994.
Starks is perhaps best known for his performance in the 1993 NBA Playoffs with the Knicks, where he scored 25 points in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bulls, leading the Knicks to a victory. He also famously dunked over Michael Jordan in Game 2 of the 1993 NBA Playoffs.
Off the court, Starks has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting education and children’s charities.
John Starks’ success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the draft, he was able to carve out a successful NBA career and become a beloved player among Knicks fans for his tough playing style and memorable playoff performances.
10. Avery Johnson
Avery Johnson is a retired American professional basketball player who is one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1965, Johnson played college basketball at Southern University but went undrafted in the 1988 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, Johnson played professionally overseas before finally getting his chance in the NBA with the Seattle SuperSonics in 1989. He quickly established himself as a valuable role player known for his speed, ball-handling, and ability to distribute the ball.
Johnson played for several teams throughout his NBA career, including the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and New Jersey Nets. He was known for his quickness and ability to run an offense, and he was a key player on several championship-contending teams.
Johnson won an NBA championship with the Spurs in 1999 and was named an NBA All-Star in 1994. He retired from playing in 2004 and went on to become a head coach in the NBA, leading the Dallas Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2006.
Off the court, Johnson has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting education and literacy programs.
Avery Johnson’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the draft, he was able to carve out a successful NBA career and become one of the most respected point guards of his era.
11. Jeremy Lin
Jeremy Lin is a Taiwanese-American professional basketball player who gained worldwide fame for his breakout performance with the New York Knicks during the 2011-2012 NBA season. Lin played college basketball at Harvard University but went undrafted in the 2010 NBA Draft.
After going undrafted, Lin signed with the Golden State Warriors but played sparingly in his rookie season. He was then waived by the Warriors and picked up by the Houston Rockets, but he was again waived before the start of the 2011-2012 season. Lin then signed with the Knicks and was relegated to the bench for most of the season until injuries to the team’s star players gave him the opportunity to play significant minutes.
Lin quickly took advantage of his chance and became a sensation, scoring at least 20 points in nine of his first 10 starts with the Knicks. He became the first player in NBA history to score at least 20 points and have seven assists in each of his first five starts, and he helped lead the Knicks to a seven-game winning streak. The media dubbed the phenomenon “Linsanity,” and Lin became an international sensation.
Lin went on to play for several teams throughout his NBA career, including the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, and Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. He is known for his quickness, ball-handling, and ability to score and distribute the ball.
Off the court, Lin has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting education and community programs. He is also an outspoken Christian and has been open about his faith throughout his career.
Jeremy Lin’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the draft, he was able to carve out a successful NBA career and become a global icon for his incredible season with the Knicks.
12. Jose Calderon
Jose Calderon is a retired Spanish professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the most successful undrafted NBA players of all time. Calderon was born in Villanueva de la Serena, Spain in 1981 and played professionally in Spain before making his NBA debut in 2005 with the Toronto Raptors.
Calderon’s NBA career spanned over 14 seasons, during which he played for several teams including the Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was known for his ability to shoot from the perimeter, his accurate free-throw shooting, and his steady playmaking skills.
Throughout his career, Calderon was recognized for his exceptional accuracy from the free-throw line, consistently ranking among the league’s best free-throw shooters. He was also a member of the Spanish national basketball team and won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
Off the court, Calderon has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting children’s charities and disaster relief efforts.
Calderon’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the NBA draft, he was able to carve out a successful career and become one of the most respected point guards of his era. Calderon retired from the NBA in 2019 with career averages of 8.9 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game.
13. Timofey Mozgov
Timofey Mozgov is a retired Russian professional basketball player who gained recognition for his strong performances in the NBA, despite going undrafted in the 2008 NBA draft. Mozgov was born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1986 and played professionally in Russia and Spain before making his NBA debut in 2010 with the New York Knicks.
Mozgov’s NBA career spanned over 8 seasons, during which he played for several teams including the Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Orlando Magic. He was known for his size and physicality as a center, as well as his ability to finish at the rim and rebound the ball.
Mozgov’s most notable season came in 2015-2016 when he helped lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA championship. He played a crucial role in the Finals series against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 10.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Off the court, Mozgov has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting youth basketball programs in Russia.
Mozgov’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the NBA draft, he was able to carve out a successful career and become a valuable contributor on multiple teams. Mozgov retired from professional basketball in 2020 with career averages of 6.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.
14. J.J. Barea
J.J. Barea is a retired Puerto Rican professional basketball player who gained recognition for his strong performances in the NBA, despite going undrafted in the 2006 NBA draft. Barea was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in 1984 and played college basketball at Northeastern University before making his NBA debut in 2006 with the Dallas Mavericks.
Barea’s NBA career spanned over 14 seasons, during which he played for the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Puerto Rican national basketball team. He was known for his quickness and ability to score from the perimeter, as well as his playmaking skills and leadership on the court.
Barea’s most notable season came in 2010-2011 when he helped lead the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA championship. He played a crucial role in the Finals series against the Miami Heat, averaging 15.3 points and 5.9 assists per game and earning the NBA Finals MVP award.
Off the court, Barea has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting relief efforts in his native Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Barea’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the NBA draft, he was able to carve out a successful career and become a valuable contributor on multiple teams. Barea retired from professional basketball in 2021 with career averages of 8.9 points, 3.9 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game.
15. David Wesley
David Wesley is a retired American professional basketball player who gained recognition for his strong performances in the NBA, despite going undrafted in the 1992 NBA draft. Wesley was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1970 and played college basketball at Baylor University before making his NBA debut in 1993 with the New Jersey Nets.
Wesley’s NBA career spanned over 14 seasons, during which he played for several teams including the New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, and Houston Rockets. He was known for his tenacity on defense and ability to score from the perimeter, as well as his leadership and mentorship to younger players.
Wesley’s most notable seasons came with the Charlotte Hornets, where he played from 1997 to 2004. During his time with the team, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1999 and helped lead the Hornets to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2001.
Off the court, Wesley has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting youth basketball programs and serving as an ambassador for the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program.
Wesley’s success as an undrafted player is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Despite not being selected in the NBA draft, he was able to carve out a successful career and become a valuable contributor on multiple teams. Wesley retired from professional basketball in 2007 with career averages of 12.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.