The 2024 NBA draft featured top picks including Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Reed Shepard, Stephon Castle and 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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