Buzz
Unsurprisingly, Avena grass is often referred to as blue oat grass. Mark Turner / Getty ImagesA single draft pick can determine the fate of a sports franchise. Selecting the right player can propel a team toward championships, while a poor choice may lead to years of setbacks as the organization struggles to recover from drafting an underperforming athlete.
This principle applies to nearly every sport, but it is particularly critical in basketball. With limited roster sizes and significant playing time, teams must maximize their draft selections to secure the most talented players available.
With this goal, we’ve compiled a list of the most disappointing NBA draft picks in history to inform our readers (and NBA franchise decision-makers) about the potential pitfalls of high first-round selections.
Once you’ve finished, don’t miss our Ultimate NBA Trivia Quiz.
10. LaRue Martin (Portland Trail Blazers)
Starting in 1972, we revisit the first of several regrettable decisions by the Portland Trail Blazers (their poor management is truly staggering). With the first pick in the 1972 NBA Draft, they chose LaRue Martin, a 6’11 center from Loyola University in Chicago. Despite a standout college career, Martin’s professional performance was a colossal failure. Widely regarded as one of the worst draft picks ever, he lasted only four seasons, averaging a meager 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. After retiring, Martin completed his degree and joined Nike, but his selection over future Hall of Famers like Bob McAdoo and Julius Erving remains a glaring misstep in NBA draft history.
9. Shawn Bradley (Philadelphia 76ers)
While some may argue about Shawn Bradley's inclusion on this list, many consider him one of the most significant draft busts in NBA history. Standing at an incredible 7’6, Bradley dominated in college, earning the nickname “The Stormin’ Mormon” during his time in Utah. However, his slender frame hindered his ability to dominate in the NBA, and he never lived up to the star potential many predicted. Over his 12-year career with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, and Dallas Mavericks, Bradley averaged modest numbers of 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
8. Hasheem Thabeet (Memphis Grizzlies)
Hasheem Thabeet, born in Tanzania, is a recent addition to the NBA’s list of draft disappointments. Selected second overall in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, Thabeet was expected to be a franchise cornerstone, replicating his stellar college performance at Connecticut. Unfortunately, his NBA career fell far short of expectations. After just two seasons with the Grizzlies, he was traded to the Houston Rockets and later played for the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder before ending up in the D-League with the Grand Rapids Drive.
7. Kwame Brown (Washington Wizards)
Kwame Brown, handpicked by Michael Jordan as the first overall selection in the 2001 NBA Draft, failed to live up to the immense expectations placed upon him. Plagued by immaturity and inconsistency, Brown struggled to find his footing with the Washington Wizards. After just three seasons, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and went on to play for six other teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors, before exiting the league in 2013. Despite being chosen by one of basketball’s greatest players, Brown’s career is remembered as a cautionary tale of unfulfilled potential.
6. Greg Oden (Portland Trail Blazers)
Greg Oden’s college career was decorated with accolades, including McDonald’s All American MVP and the Pete Newell Big Man Award, making his NBA struggles all the more perplexing. Over six seasons, Oden appeared in just 105 games, a stark contrast to the 82-game NBA seasons. His career was derailed by persistent injuries, including a microfracture knee surgery shortly after being drafted first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. After a brief stint with the Miami Heat, Oden ended his career with the Jiangsu Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association, cementing his status as one of the NBA’s most unfortunate draft busts.
5. Michael Olowokandi (Los Angeles Clippers)
Michael Olowokandi, a Nigerian-born center, seemed destined for greatness with a name that rolls off the tongue and a standout college career at the University of the Pacific, where he averaged over 22 points per game. However, his NBA career never matched the hype. Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in 1998, Olowokandi averaged just 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. After leaving the Clippers, he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics before retiring in 2007, falling short of the stardom many predicted.
4. Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats)
Adam Morrison, known for his iconic moustache, was a standout player for Gonzaga in 2006. A versatile small forward with exceptional movement skills, Morrison earned the NCAA Player of the Year Award in 2006, leading to his selection as the third overall pick by the Charlotte Bobcats in the NBA Draft. Chosen by Michael Jordan, who was then part of the Bobcats' front office, Morrison’s career mirrored the disappointment of Kwame Brown. After just two seasons with the Bobcats, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he also underperformed. Morrison retired after only four years in the NBA, a shocking outcome given his high draft position and legendary college success.
3. Jay Williams (Chicago Bulls)
Jay Williams, a 6’2 point guard, was selected second overall by the Chicago Bulls in the 2002 NBA Draft after leading Duke to the 2001 NCAA Championship. Despite his collegiate success, Williams’ NBA career was tragically cut short by a devastating motorcycle accident that left him with severe injuries, including torn knee ligaments, a broken pelvis, and a severed leg vein. After extensive rehabilitation to regain the ability to walk, Williams attempted a comeback in 2006 but never returned to professional basketball. His NBA career lasted just 54 starts, marking a heartbreaking end to what could have been a promising career.
2. Sam Bowie (Portland Trail Blazers)
Sam Bowie, another unfortunate draft pick by the Portland Trail Blazers, was selected second overall in the 1984 NBA Draft. While Bowie’s career averages of 10.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game were serviceable, his legacy is overshadowed by the superstars drafted after him, including Michael Jordan, John Stockton, and Charles Barkley. Bowie’s selection remains one of the most infamous draft decisions in NBA history, contributing to the Trail Blazers’ decades-long struggles.
1. Darko Milicic (Detroit Pistons)
Darko Milicic, much like Sam Bowie, is often labeled a bust not just for his underwhelming performance but also because of the legendary players drafted after him. Selected second overall in the 2003 NBA Draft, Milicic was picked after LeBron James but ahead of future stars like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Despite a nine-year NBA career that included stints with the Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics, Milicic averaged a mere 6 points per game, a stark contrast to the Hall of Fame careers of his peers.
