Basketball is often dominated by high school phenoms who receive national attention long before they set foot in an NBA arena. But not every superstar was a five-star recruit or a McDonald’s All-American. Some of the greatest players in NBA history were overlooked, lightly recruited, or even completely ignored before they defied the odds and made it big.
Here’s a look at 20 NBA stars who were barely recruited out of high school but went on to have incredible careers.
1. Isaiah Thomas
Despite being a star in high school, Thomas was often overlooked due to his height (5’9”). He went to Washington, where he proved doubters wrong and became an NBA All-Star.
2. Damian Lillard
Lillard played high school ball in Oakland, but he wasn’t highly recruited. He landed at Weber State, a small school in Utah, where he honed his skills before becoming an NBA superstar with the Portland Trail Blazers.
3. Jimmy Butler
Butler’s high school career wasn’t flashy, and he had to take the junior college route before landing at Marquette. He later became an NBA All-Star and one of the hardest-working players in the league.
4. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook was barely on the recruiting radar until a late growth spurt and an opportunity at UCLA changed everything. Now, he’s an NBA MVP and one of the most explosive guards in history.
5. Paul George
A late bloomer, George was not heavily recruited and ended up at Fresno State. His athleticism and skill eventually made him a top-10 NBA draft pick and a perennial All-Star.
6. CJ McCollum
Coming from a small high school in Ohio, McCollum was overlooked and ended up at Lehigh University. His scoring ability caught the attention of scouts, and he became a dynamic NBA guard.
7. Kawhi Leonard
Despite being an elite defender in high school, Leonard didn’t get much attention from big programs. He played at San Diego State before becoming an NBA champion and one of the best two-way players in the league.
8. Draymond Green
Green wasn’t a top recruit, and his unique skill set didn’t stand out in high school. Michigan State took a chance on him, and he turned into a key piece of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty.
9. DeMar DeRozan
While DeRozan had some recognition in high school, he wasn’t viewed as a top-tier recruit. He played one season at USC before entering the NBA and becoming an elite scorer.
10. Zach LaVine
LaVine was more of an athletic prospect than a polished player coming out of high school. He developed his skills at UCLA and became one of the NBA’s top dunkers and scorers.
11. John Stockton
Stockton had almost no Division I interest coming out of high school and ended up at Gonzaga. He became one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, holding the all-time assists and steals records.
12. Dwyane Wade
Wade’s high school career was overshadowed by bigger names, and he had to prove himself at Marquette before the NBA took notice. He later became an NBA champion and Hall of Famer.
13. Ben Wallace
Wallace wasn’t recruited at all and had to attend a junior college before transferring to Virginia Union, a Division II school. He went undrafted but became an NBA champion and Defensive Player of the Year multiple times.
14. Dennis Rodman
Rodman didn’t even play serious high school basketball. He developed his game later, played at Southeastern Oklahoma State, and became one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history.
15. Khris Middleton
Middleton wasn’t a highly ranked recruit, and even after a solid college career at Texas A&M, he was a second-round NBA draft pick. He later became an NBA champion and All-Star with the Bucks.
16. Stephen Curry
Despite his undeniable talent, Curry was overlooked because of his small frame. He had no major offers from powerhouse programs and ended up at Davidson College, where he became a sensation before being drafted by the Golden State Warriors.
17. Gordon Hayward
A skinny high school kid, Hayward was barely recruited before landing at Butler University. He led them to an NCAA championship game and later became an NBA All-Star.
18. J.J. Barea
The Puerto Rican guard was overlooked by most college programs but found a place at Northeastern University. He later carved out a successful NBA career, winning an NBA title with the Mavericks.
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19. Fred VanVleet
VanVleet wasn’t a top recruit and had to prove himself at Wichita State. He went undrafted but worked his way up to become an NBA champion and All-Star.
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20. Bruce Bowen
Bowen went undrafted out of college and had to take the long road to the NBA. He eventually became a key defensive player for the San Antonio Spurs, winning multiple championships.
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