Often hailed as one of the most popular basketball tournaments in the world, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is religiously followed by millions of hardcore basketball aficionados from all over the world. The glorious history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) has been witness to numerous legendary basketball stalwarts, including LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and many others who have dominated every edition of the NBA with their spine-chilling moves on the field.
While the NBA has been majorly about the mainstream players who have been picked up by numerous popular teams for the tournament, it has also been a witness to a few legendary basketball players who have revolutionised their game and built successful careers after being undrafted. Have you ever wondered about the top four basketball players who have thrived after being undrafted? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four NBA players who went undrafted and later rose to fame with their dominating exploits.
Top 4 NBA Players Who Thrived After Being Undrafted
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Ben Wallace
The legendary American former basketball player and current basketball executive, Ben Wallace, is at the first spot in our list of the top four NBA players who defied the odds and built legendary careers after being undrafted. Often popularly referred to as ‘Big Ben’ by millions of his hardcore fans from all over the world, Ben Wallace shockingly went undrafted in the 1996 NBA Draft as he was considered undersized for the role of a center due to his 6’9” height. Despite the major setback, the legendary American basketball stalwart Ben Wallace refused to give up and was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Washington Bullets (now Wizards).
Later, Ben Wallace was traded to the Orlando Magic in 1999, where he earned enormous fame and recognition as an elite rebounder and shot-blocker. Later in 2000, Ben Wallace joined the Detroit Pistons and established himself as their ultimate defensive anchor. Ben Wallace was honoured as the ‘NBA Defensive Player of the Year’ four times in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. Additionally, Ben Wallace was also honoured as the NBA All-Star a record total of five times with the Detroit Pistons.
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Fred VanVleet
At the second spot in our list of the top four NBA players who went undrafted and later rose to fame with their dominating exploits, we have the trailblazing American professional basketball player Fred VanVleet, who currently plays for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association and is widely regarded as one of the most prominent point guards of all-time. Fred VanVleet went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft despite his path-breaking college career at Wichita State University.
After going undrafted in 2016, Fred VanVleet signed with the Toronto Raptors as a free agent and was promoted to the Raptors’ main roster during the 2016–17 season owing to his jaw-dropping defensive abilities. Fred VanVleet played a crucial role in leading the Toronto Raptors to a sensational 2019 NBA championship title and established himself as one of the greatest point guards of all-time.
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John Starks
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four NBA players who defied the odds and built legendary careers after being undrafted, we have the trailblazing American former professional basketball player John Starks, who played as a shooting guard throughout his glorious NBA career which lasted from 1988 to 2002. John Starks shockingly went undrafted in the 1988 NBA Draft despite showcasing his dominant skills as a shooting guard throughout his college career at Oklahoma State University.
After being undrafted, John Starks played for the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and polished his skills. The legendary American shooting guard John Starks returned to the National Basketball Association arena with the New York Knicks in 1990 and achieved numerous prestigious achievements with the team, including his infamous 1994 NBA All-Star selection.
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Udonis Haslem
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four NBA players who went undrafted and later rose to fame in the arena of the National Basketball Association, we have the American professional basketball executive and former player Udonis Haslem, who spent his entire NBA career which spanned nearly twenty years with the Miami Heat. Despite witnessing a phenomenal college career at University of Florida, Udonis Haslem went undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft and was signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat.
Owing to his path-breaking exploits and unwavering determination, Udonis Haslem soon became a formidable part of the Miami Heat’s main roster and was honoured as the NBA Champion thrice in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Additionally, as of January 2026, Udonis Haslem continues to be one of the rare basketball players who spent their entire NBA careers playing for a single franchise, speaking volumes about his stature in the game and the unmatched legacy that he has left behind in the world’s most prestigious basketball tournament.
