Going undrafted doesn’t mean going unnoticed. Like every year, this year’s NBA Draft will also see many players go undrafted after night two. But that doesn’t mean they can’t perform at a high level.
Not every first-round pick leads their team to a championship. Meanwhile, undrafted players can sometimes help win an NBA title. Take Udonis Haslem, for example. He won three NBA titles. One undrafted star even found his way into the Hall of Fame.
Here’s look at the 10 best who rose to greatness despite being overlooked on draft night.
10. Avery Johnson
Johnson hit the game-winning shot in Game 5 of the 1999 NBA Finals to clinch the Spurs’ first title. Despite being overlooked in the draft, he was known as “The Little General.” After a 16-year NBA career, he served as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets.
9. J.J. Barea
Barea, despite being undrafted, improved over time and became a fan favorite. He played a key role in the Mavericks’ 2011 title run, famously torching the Miami Heat’s defense in the Finals. His fearless drives and high IQ made him a beloved figure in Dallas and Puerto Rico.
8. Mike James
After four years of college basketball, James entered the 1998 draft but went undrafted. Over time, he became a scoring machine, averaging over 20 points per game for the Raptors in 2005–06. He won a title with the Pistons in 2004 and played 13 seasons in the NBA.
7. Alex Caruso
Caruso’s rise from the G League to NBA champion is legendary. He won two titles, first with the Lakers in 2020 and then with the Thunder in 2025. He quickly became a fan favorite for his defense and is a two-time All-Defensive Team selection.
I underestimated the amount of people who’d be here to see Alex Caruso serve Raising Canes lol pic.twitter.com/BsQJ7DoEZR
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) June 26, 2025
6. David Wesley
Wesley went undrafted in 1992 and played 14 seasons in the NBA, averaging 12.5 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 949 regular-season games. He averaged double figures for 10 straight years. His 11,842 career points rank second all-time among undrafted players, behind only Hall of Famer Moses Malone.
5. Fred VanVleet
VanVleet became the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history when he signed with the Rockets in 2023. It all started with his clutch Finals performances in 2019 for the Raptors, where he even earned MVP votes.
Breaking: Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to stay with the franchise, with a player option in 2026-27, sources tell @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/2WSxcaid9a
— ESPN (@espn) June 25, 2025
4. Bruce Bowen
Bowen was known as the ultimate 3-and-D wing. He set the standard for modern wing defenders. His defense helped the Spurs win three titles. Fans even called him the “corner 3 assassin.” San Antonio retired his No. 12 jersey in 2012.
3. Udonis Haslem
Haslem went undrafted in 2002 but was always the heart of the Heat. He’s Miami’s all-time leader in rebounds and won three championships during his 20-year career with the team.
2. John Starks
Starks, a 1994 All-Star, had an iconic journey from bagging groceries to starring for the Knicks. He was known for his fearless play. Fans still remember his signature dunk over Michael Jordan and Horace Grant in the 1993 playoffs. Moments like that, paired with his feud with Reggie Miller, defined his greatness.
1. Ben Wallace
The top undrafted player of all time is former Pistons star Ben Wallace, who is the only undrafted player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Is this the best draft class ever? 29 YEARS AGO TODAY, The 1996 NBA Draft!
1: Iverson 2: Camby 3: Shareef 4: Marbury 5: Ray Allen 6: Antoine Walker 13: Kobe 14: Peja 15: Nash 17: J. O’Neal 20: Big Z 24: Fisher
Undrafted: Ben Wallace pic.twitter.com/MDi0nSXVUP— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 26, 2025
Wallace anchored the Pistons’ defense during their 2004 title run. He also won the Defensive Player of the Year award four times, tying Dikembe Mutombo and Rudy Gobert for the most in league history.
