The Untold Stories of Undrafted NBA Players Who Made It Big
I remember watching the 2013 NBA draft like it was yesterday, sitting there with my buddies and arguing about which prospects would become superstars. We spent hours analyzing every pick, debating stats and potential, completely ignoring the hundreds of players who wouldn't hear their names called that night. What fascinates me now, years later, isn't the success stories of first-round picks but rather the incredible journeys of undrafted players who fought their way into the league against all odds. Just last week, I stumbled upon a fascinating parallel in volleyball that perfectly illustrates this phenomenon - the reunion of Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, MJ Philips, and other Filipino volleyball stars who've found new life with the Foxies after their HD Spikers days. Their story mirrors what we see in the NBA, where undrafted players often develop this incredible hunger that first-round picks sometimes lack.
Let me tell you about my favorite undrafted NBA success story - Fred VanVleet. The man went completely undrafted in 2016 after playing four years at Wichita State. I'll never forget watching his post-draft press conference where he declared he was "betting on himself." He signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Raptors for what amounted to pocket change in NBA terms - just about $1.3 million total, which sounds like a lot to you and me but is practically minimum wage in the NBA. What happened next was pure basketball magic. He worked his way from the G League to becoming an essential part of the Raptors' 2019 championship team, and his iconic performance in Games 4 through 6 of the NBA Finals where he scored 48 total points off the bench still gives me chills. Now he's making $85 million over three years with the Houston Rockets. That's the kind of trajectory that makes you believe in underdogs.
The volleyball reunion I mentioned earlier reminds me so much of how undrafted NBA players often find success through unexpected team-ups and second chances. When I read about Molina and Meneses joining forces again with Daquis, Dionela and Robins-Hardy as Foxies, it struck me how similar this is to those NBA stories where undrafted players form these incredible bonds and push each other to succeed against the odds. They're like the NBA's version of the 2020 Miami Heat, where undrafted players like Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent became crucial pieces in an unexpected Finals run. Robinson in particular is someone I've followed closely - the guy went from playing Division III basketball to becoming one of the most feared shooters in the league, and he did it entirely through relentless work after going undrafted in 2018.
What many fans don't realize is that going undrafted might actually be better for some players' careers in the long run. I've always believed that undrafted players develop this unique mental toughness that serves them well throughout their careers. They're not burdened by the expectations that come with being a first-round pick, and they approach every practice, every game, every possession like it might be their last. Take Wesley Matthews, who went undrafted in 2009 but carved out a 14-year NBA career by becoming one of the league's most reliable 3-and-D players. Or Udonis Haslem, who went undrafted in 2002 but spent his entire 20-year career with the Miami Heat, becoming their heart and soul and captain. These guys built their legacies not through draft position but through pure grit and determination.
The financial journey of these players is absolutely fascinating to me. While first-round picks get guaranteed money from day one, undrafted players often bounce between teams, fighting for roster spots and non-guaranteed contracts. I remember reading about Jose Alvarado's story - the guy went undrafted in 2021, signed a two-way contract with the Pelicans, and had to prove himself every single day just to stay in the league. Now he's become this cult hero known for his sneaky steals and relentless defense. His initial contract was for barely $462,000, but his persistence earned him a four-year, $6.5 million deal. That's the kind of payoff that makes these stories so compelling.
What I love most about following undrafted players is watching how they often become the heart and soul of their teams. They play with this visible passion that's just different from highly drafted stars. Bruce Bowen went undrafted in 1993 but became one of the most feared defenders in NBA history, making eight All-Defensive teams and winning three championships. His journey included playing in France before getting his NBA shot at age 26. Or how about current players like Austin Reaves, who went undrafted in 2021 but has become a crucial piece for the Lakers? I've watched him develop from a relative unknown to someone who dropped 35 points in a playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies last season.
The reality is that about 25-30 players make NBA rosters each year after going undrafted, which means roughly 15% of the league consists of players who weren't deemed worthy of a draft pick. That statistic always blows my mind because it shows how flawed the draft process can be. Teams spend millions on scouting and analytics, yet they consistently miss on talent that's right in front of them. I can't help but think this speaks to something deeper about human potential and the limitations of traditional evaluation methods. The stories of these players aren't just about basketball - they're about perseverance, self-belief, and the beautiful unpredictability of sports. Every time I watch an undrafted player succeed at the highest level, it feels like a victory for every underdog who's ever been counted out.