Undrafted NBA stars with championships, All-Star games, more

ByESPN staff ESPN logo
Friday, June 28, 2024

The 2024 NBA draft featured top picks includingZaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Shepard, Stephon Castleand Ron Holland II. The draft also cemented LeBron James' legacy with the addition of Bronny James to the Los Angeles Lakers roster.

But, not all NBA players get their start during the draft cycle. Check out notable players who entered the league outside the draft below.

Moses Malone

Non-draft route:ABA (American Basketball Association)

Accolades: NBA Hall of Fame, 3-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, 8-time All-NBA, 6-time rebounding leader, won Finals MVP and NBA championship with Philadelphia 76ers in 1983

Stats:20.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG

Connie Hawkins

Non-draft route: ABL (American Basketball League) and ABA

Accolades: NBA Hall of Fame, 4-time NBA All-Star

Stats: 16.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.1 APG

Ben Wallace

Non-draft route: Italian professional basketball league

Accolades: NBA Hall of Fame, 5-time All-NBA, 4-time Defensive Player of the Year (tied for most in NBA history), won NBA championship in 2004 with Detroit Pistons

Stats: 5.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 47% FG percentage

Neil Johnston

Non-draft route: Professional baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies

Accolades: NBA Hall of Fame, 6-time All-Star, 3-time scoring champ, won NBA championship in 1956

Stats: 19.4 PPG, 11.3 RPG

John Starks

Non-draft route: Signed on as free agent with Golden State Warriors

Accolades: 1-time All-Star, 1-time All-Defensive team, 1996-97 Sixth Man of the Year, most 3-point field goals (982) in New York Knicks history

Stats: 12.5 PPG, 3.6 APG, 41% FG percentage

Fred VanVleet

Non-draft route: Signed on as free agent with Toronto Raptors

Accolades: 1-time All-Star, won NBA championship in 2019 with Raptors, signed largest deal by undrafted player in NBA history ($128.5M)

Stats:15 PPG, 5.7 APG, 2.5 3-point field goals per game

Bruce Bowen

Non-draft route: French professional basketball league, CBA (Continental Basketball Association)

Accolades: 3-time NBA champion with San Antonio Spurs, 8-time All-Defensive Team (one of 19 players with at least 8 All-Defensive selections)

Stats: 6.1 PPG, 41% FG percentage

Udonis Haslem

Non-draft route: French professional basketball league

Accolades: 3-time NBA champion with Miami Heat

Stats: 7.5 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 49% FG percentage

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