Best Undrafted NBA Players Who Made History

Who Was the Best Undrafted NBA Player Ever?

Ben Wallace tops the list of the best undrafted NBA players. The former Detroit Piston went undrafted in 1996 and played one game in Italy before being signed by Washington. At 6’9” with a limited skillset, Wallace was not seen as an NBA-caliber “big man.” But it took him just two seasons to prove his worth.

By his third season, Wallace had already outperformed his status as an undrafted NBA player. Still, Washington traded him to Orlando. While he started all 81 games, Wallace was again traded to Detroit. This was where he blossomed into becoming one of the NBA’s greatest defenders and, ultimately, one of the best NBA players of all time.

Wallace anchored a Pistons team featuring one of the toughest defenses in the history of the NBA. This culminated in back-to-back NBA Finals appearances, one championship, and one of the all-time greatest upsets. Check the NBA odds.

This new “Bad Boys” Pistons team shut down the Los Angeles Lakers, which featured five Hall of Famers.

Indeed, the Pistons mirrored Wallace’s character as a hard-nosed defensive team. Many of the top undrafted NBA players share this trait.

Has An Undrafted NBA Player Ever Been An All-Star?

Wallace is not the only undrafted NBA player to become an All-Star, which he did four consecutive times. Connie Hawkins and Brad Miller are two notable undrafted NBA All-Stars. They are only three of five players to go from undrafted to an All-Star. The full list includes:

• Ben Wallace (4x All-Star)
• Connie Hawkins (4x All-Star)
• Brad Miller (2x All-Star)
• John Starks (1x All-Star)
• Fred VanVleet (1x All-Star)

Many other undrafted NBA players made a mark in league history despite never becoming an All-Star.

Are There Any Undrafted NBA Players in the NBA Hall of Fame?

Two of the best undrafted NBA players, Ben Wallace and Connie Hawkins, are currently in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

On top of being a four-time All-Star, Wallace was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner. Additionally, he set many Pistons and NBA records while helping them win a title. Combined with his success in college, he came this close to being one of a handful of players who won NCAA and NBA championships.

On the other hand, Hawkins went undrafted due to being wrongfully associated with the Iowa point-shaving scandal in the NCAA. He was blackballed from both associations but signed with the American Basketball League (ABL) before joining the NBA in 1969.

The Hall of Famer won an ABA Championship and was named the ABA MVP and Playoffs MVP in one season (1968). He became a six-time All-Star, and the Phoenix Suns retired his jersey number. Hawkins became one of the greatest undrafted NBA players. But more importantly, he became an NBA legend despite being falsely accused.

Here is a list of other top undrafted NBA players:

1. Fred VanVleet

VanVleet is one of the best undrafted NBA players still active as of the 2024-25 season. He set numerous records in Toronto (where he won a title) including the single-game scoring record by an undrafted player, with 54 points. The diminutive guard was rewarded with a $130-million contract with Houston, the largest by an undrafted NBA player. Not bad.

2. Bruce Bowen

Bowen is a legend in San Antonio, where his jersey number is in the rafters. He was notorious for his defensive prowess in his prime and was an eight-time consecutive NBA All-Defensive selection. He was also a crucial figure in the Spurs’ teams that won three titles in the mid-2000s.

3. John Starks

Starks helped popularize the concept of “3-and-D” as he cut his cloth by hitting 3-pointers while playing hard defense. He made an All-Star team and was named the Sixth Man of the Year. Alas, he and the Knicks fell just short of winning an NBA title in 1994.

4. Udonis Haslem

Haslem never made an All-Star selection, an All-NBA team, or any major individual award. But many agree that he, along with Dwyane Wade, was the face of the Miami Heat for over a decade. He holds many franchise records and was an important figure in the Heat teams that won three championships.

5. Brad Miller

Miller was ahead of his time as a versatile center who could shoot the 3-pointer while making passes. He was not a traditional player in his day, but he was named to two consecutive All-Star games with Sacramento and is one of the greatest undrafted NBA players of all time.