Top 10 Undrafted NBA Players

Aside from being excellent defensive players and horrible on the offensive side, Bruce Bowen and Ben Wallace went into the NBA undrafted. There are quite a handful of other players who were undrafted but went on to have a solid professional career. 

10. David Wesley

14 years pro 

Stats: 12.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG

David Wesley came in the league in 1993 as a 23 year-old, undersized shooting guard. Just like most rookie and undrafted players, he had to earn his playing time, spending only 9 MPG on the court. The following year he was traded to Boston Celtics and got the opportunity he needed. From then on, he never looked back and averaged double digits in points until the last two years of his career in the league. 

9. Raja Bell

12 years pro 

Stats: 9.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG 

Awards and Accomplishments:                                                                           

All Defensive 1st Team - 1

All Defensive 2nd Team - 1 

Raja’s stats are nothing to be excited about. In fact, his best season was in 2005 where he averaged 14 PPG. Like Bruce Bowen, he won’t blow you away with his stats. He is known for his hustle and stifling defense. Rightfully so, Raja earned spots in All Defensive 1st (2006), 2nd team (2007), and earned the right to be dubbed a “Kobe-Stopper”, which is already a feat on its own. 

8. Wesley Matthews

6 years pro (and counting) 

Stats: 16.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG 

One of the two active players in this list. Wesley Matthews was signed by the Utah Jazz after teams passed on him during the draft. If the 2009 draft is to be redone, he would definitely make the top 10. Wes is still in his prime at 28 years old and can help any team with his outside shooting and defense. He recently signed with the Mavericks for four years worth around $50 to $60 million. Not bad. 

7. Jose Calderon

10 years pro (and counting) 

Stats: 10.2 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 6.7 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG 

He’s the second active player that we have in this list. Although he’s way past his prime, Jose Calderon can still help a team compete with his ability to run plays and throw on-point passes. Expect him throwing lobs to Melo in the MSG. His career average in assist is 6.7 but during his prime, he had four seasons where he averaged at least 8 APG. 

6. Darrell Armstrong

15 years pro

Stats: 9.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Awards and Accomplishments:

Most Improved Player in 1998 

Sixth Man of the Year in 1998 

Darrell Armstrong came in the league a bit older than most players; he was 26 years old when he signed with the Orlando Magic in 1994. He played for the Magic for 9 years and became the starting point guard during the McGrady-Hill era in Orlando. He is one of the few players to won the Most Improved Player and Sixth man of the Year award in the same year (1998). 

5. Brad Miller

13 years pro

Stats: 11.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Awards and Achievements:

All Star 2003

All Star 2004

After college, because of the lockout in 1998, Brad Miller played in Italy for 3 months. Immediately after the lockout, he returned and signed with the Charlotte Hornets. He had his best season in 2003 and 2004 where he averaged at least 14 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 4 APG, helping him get an All-Star nod in each of those years. Brad Miller was one of the first few big men who can step outside and drain a three. 

4. Avery Johnson

16 years pro

Stats: 8.4 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 5.5 APG, 1 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Awards and Achievements:

NBA Champion 1999

Nicknamed “Little General” for his ability to run the team and command respect from his teammates, Avery Johnson played with one of the best Center (David Robinson) and Power Forward (Tim Duncan) in NBA history. He averaged at least 7 APG in 6 seasons and was the second best assist-man in the 1995 season with 9.6 per game. 

3. John Starks

14 years pro

Stats: 12.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Awards and Achievements:

All Star in 1994

Sixth Man in 1996

All Defensive 2nd Team in 1992

John Starks was a fearless, athletic shooting guard. You should see fearlessness and athleticism eternalized in the iconic photo above. His best year was in 1993 where the Knicks fan saw him averaged 19 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.9 APG, and 1.6 SPG.  

2. Bruce Bowen

13 years pro

Stats: 6.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Awards and Achievements:

NBA Champions in 2003, 2005, and 2007

All Defensive 1st Team in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

All Defensive 2nd Team in 2000, 2001, 2002

One of the most hated and respected defensive player of all time. Bruce Bowen didn’t have to score in bunches to become a successful player. Heck he didn’t even have to steal the ball (only 0.8 SPG) to make it to the All Defensive teams 8 times. 

1. Ben Wallace

16 years pro

Stats: 5.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2 BPG

Awards and Achievements:

NBA Champion in 2004

MVP Awards Consideration in 2001, 2002, 2003

Defensive Player of the Year in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005

Lead the league in Rebounds in 2001, 2002

Lead the league in Blocks in 2001

All Defensive 1st Team in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

All Defensive 2nd Team in 2006

All NBA 2nd in 2002, 2003, 2005

All NBA 3rd in 2001, 2004

Need I say more? 

Do you have your own list of the best undrafted NBA players? Let us know by leaving a comment below. 

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Frustrated Basketball Player, NBA Blogger, Sneakerhead. Let's talk Basketball.