Every year, players from the US and the rest of the world enter the NBA draft. Wealth and fame await those lucky few picked in the first rounds of the draft. That’s where most of the stars in basketball come from, but not always. Most players go undrafted. They have to attract NBA scouts in different ways. Some of them enter summer camps and hope to impress that way.
Others end up playing in the minor leagues or in Europe to build up a steady resume for themselves, but it’s a slog. So today, we’re going to take a look at 40 of the best players who weren’t selected in the NBA draft. Some of these athletes became big stars, winning championships and fame. Others had to be content with backup roles for most of their careers, but they all made it to the NBA despite facing adversity.
Check out the list via Stadium Talk.
40. Earl Boykins
Boykins is the second-shortest player in NBA history. At just five-foot-five, it’s no surprise that he went undrafted. However, he refused to give up on his dream of making it as a professional basketball player. The Eastern Michigan college star clearly had talent because he signed short contracts with several NBA teams before he truly made it with the Nuggets.
In the end, he enjoyed a stellar and successful career. He tasted Olympic gold with Team USA and was a regular fixture in the NBA. As well as success in the U.S, he played with distinction in Italy. Boykins finally retired in 2012 after becoming a cult figure in the league. When an athlete is so short amongst so many giants, he was always going to attract attention.