The 1990s were a golden era of NBA basketball, full of ISO plays, mid-range jumpers, and bruising big men. But sprinkled throughout that decade were a few players who felt like they were fast-forwarding from the future.
Whether it was their skill set, style of play, or off-court swagger, these guys didn’t quite fit the mold of their era—in a good way. They would’ve thrived even more in today’s pace-and-space, three-heavy, player-empowered league. Let’s rank the 15 ’90s NBA stars ahead of their time.
15. Dan Majerle
Majerle had the three-and-D thing down before it had a name. He’d be a perfect role player in today’s game, built around spacing and defense.
14. Jalen Rose
Rose had a point-forward vibe that’s way more common now. His vision and versatility would fit beautifully in today’s positionless basketball.
13. Kenny Anderson
Anderson’s quick handle and creativity screamed modern point guard. He played with the flair and freedom you see from guards today.
12. Toni Kukoč
Kukoč was a 6’10” forward who could pass, dribble, and shoot like a guard. He was a European unicorn before the NBA knew what to do with that.
11. Cedric Ceballos
Ceballos ran the floor, cut hard, and scored efficiently without needing the ball much. His off-ball game would thrive in modern motion offenses.
10. Derrick Coleman
Coleman had a smooth lefty jumper and could stretch the floor at power forward. If he played today, teams would be running pick-and-pops for him nonstop.
9. Dennis Rodman
Rodman didn’t score much, but his rebounding, defense, and switchability are exactly what every contender looks for now. He was a defensive analytics darling before the math caught up.
8. Tim Hardaway
The original killer crossover would fit right in with today’s guard-centric game. He could shoot, pass, and create space in a way that modern offenses love.
7. Glen Rice
Rice was a pure shooter in a time when teams didn’t take many threes. Drop him into today’s game, and he’d easily launch eight a night.
6. Grant Hill
Before the injuries, Hill looked like a blueprint for the modern wing. He was a combo of size, skill, and playmaking that teams dream of today.
5. Steve Smith
Smith had a smooth game, great footwork, and a deadly mid-range. But he also had the size and shooting touch that would be tailor-made for today’s spacing.
4. Penny Hardaway
Penny was built forward and moved like a guard, with court vision for days. He would’ve been a nightmare in today’s switch-heavy defenses and fast-paced offenses.
3. Detlef Schrempf
Schrempf was ahead of the curve as a stretch four who could pass and shoot. He’d be the kind of glue guy every contender wants now.
Read More: Ranking the 13 Best NBA Players of the ’90s
2. Reggie Miller
Miller ran defenders ragged around screens and drained threes like it was 2024. If he played today, he’d be one of the most dangerous perimeter threats in the league.
Read More: 15 Former NBA Point Guards Who Could Play in Today’s Game
1. Chris Webber
Webber’s elite passing ability, high basketball IQ, and face-up game would make him a modern offensive hub. He’d be a franchise centerpiece in a Jokic-style role in today’s NBA.
Read More: Ranking the 20 Most Legendary NBA Icons of the ’90s
