Undrafted, Undeterred: How Not Being Selected was the Beginning of the Journey for these players

On June 25, 59 players will hear their names called and walk across the NBA Draft stage. For those players, it will mark the beginning of a lifelong dream realized.

But what about the rest?

This year, 106 players declared for the draft. That means 47 players will go undrafted; 47 individuals who trained just as hard, believed just as deeply and sacrificed just as much.

In a league built on talent and potential, there simply aren’t enough spots. Every year, skilled college stars, international standouts and even projected second-round picks find themselves without a team.

The disappointment is real. But so is the opportunity.

Because if NBA history has taught us anything, it’s this: Going undrafted isn’t the end. It’s the start of a different kind of journey.

Every NBA team has found their diamond in the rough: a player overlooked on draft night who refused to let that moment define them. Here are five athletes who proved that going undrafted isn’t the end of the road, but instead where their journey truly began.

Ben Wallace

No one exemplifies the true meaning of grit and dedication quite like Wallace. After going undrafted in 1996, Wallace didn’t sulk. He went straight to the gym to get back to work. He bounced from the Celtics’ Summer League squad to playing overseas in Italy before finally getting his shot with the Washington Wizards. After playing smaller roles with both the Wizards and Magic, Wallace eventually landed in Detroit. Once he got there, he never let go. His trademark grit showed up every night, turning him into a force on defense and a monster on the boards.

Over the course of his 1,088-game career, Wallace averaged just 5.7 points per game, but his true value was never about scoring. He was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time All-Star, and the anchor of the 2004 Detroit Pistons team that won an NBA championship. His 9.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game were vital in bringing success back to Detroit. In 2021, Wallace became the first and so far only undrafted player to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Fred VanVleet

VanVleet’s journey to NBA stardom started the hard way, undrafted in 2016 and overlooked by every team. Despite putting up impressive stats and leading Wichita State to an undefeated regular season in 2013-2014, VanVleet was overlooked due to his size and was seen as nothing more than a G-League player. As an undrafted free agent, the Toronto Raptors decided to take a chance on VanVleet. Once on the Raptors, VanVleet continuously had to grind to get on the court. He only played in 37 games in his rookie season, all coming off the bench. and averaged just eight minutes a game in his first season. Little by little VanVleet’s minutes increased. 

In 2019, VanVleet saw the biggest jump in his career. With more minutes and more opportunities to start, VanVleet became a vital part of the Raptors championship run. In Game 6, with a title on the line, VanVleet poured in 22 points to help seal the championship — a defining moment in a career built on proving people wrong. VanVleet didn’t stop there. He continued to elevate his game, eventually becoming an All-Star in 2022. He set the Raptors’ franchise record with a 54-point performance and posted career highs of 20.3 points and 6.7 assists per game in his best season. His steady leadership, tough defense, and clutch shooting became hallmarks of his game. In 2023, VanVleet signed with the Houston Rockets, continuing a career that began without guarantees but has been defined by relentless work and undeniable results.

Luguentz (Lu) Dort

Before making key plays en-route to an NBA Finals run this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Luguentz (Lu) Dort didn’t hear his name called at the Barclay Center. After a standout freshman season at Arizona State, Dort was a projected late first to early second pick. Instead, he went undrafted. Despite feelings of anger and rejection, Lu Dort made his way to a rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder on a two-way contract. Dort spent most of his rookie year in the G League, but injuries for the Thunder thrusted Dort straight from the G League to a starting role. And he never looked back. 

Dort made headlines with a breakout 30-point performance in Game 7 against Houston during in 2020. That game became a launching point for a career built on hustle, physicality and a relentless motor. Since then, Dort has become a cornerstone for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense. In the 2023–24 season, he averaged 10.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while consistently guarding the league’s toughest perimeter matchups. His defensive impact did not go unnoticed as he finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, earning widespread respect across the league. From undrafted rookie to defensive anchor, Dort’s rise has been anything but ordinary.

Alex Caruso

Another key player that helped elevate the Oklahoma City Thunder this season is Caruso. Despite his impressive college stats at Texas A&M, Caruso went undrafted in 2016. Caruso climbed his way up through the G League and eventually earned a spot with the Los Angeles Lakers. His relentless effort and defensive instincts quickly made him a fan favorite and a trusted role player. In 2020, he played a crucial role off the bench during the Lakers’ title run, bringing energy, toughness and key stops in big moments.

Caruso continued to build his reputation as one of the league’s elite perimeter defenders. In 2023, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, a recognition of his consistent impact on that end of the floor. Over his career, he has averaged 6.2 points, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Whether on championship rosters or rebuilding squads, Caruso has remained a tone-setter, proving that effort and defense can define a career.

Jeremy Lin

Lin went from nearly giving up his basketball dreams to starting a cultural movement in basketball. Coming out of Harvard in 2010, Lin’s talent was undeniable, but some scouts thought he didn’t have what it took to succeed in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors took a chance on him where he saw limited minutes and was eventually released.  After bouncing around the league some more, Lin finally got his chance with the New York Knicks in 2012. After injures left the Knicks needing a guard, Lin stepped into the spotlight at MSG. During a magical stretch known as “Linsanity,” he captured the attention of fans worldwide by averaging 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. He became the first undrafted player in NBA history to record back-to-back 20-point games for the Knicks, igniting a cultural moment that extended far beyond basketball.

While injuries and team changes followed, Lin continued to contribute on and off the court, eventually winning an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. His impact, however, was never just about stats. As one of the first Asian-American stars in the league, Lin inspired a generation of athletes and fans around the world. His journey showed that opportunity, preparation, and self-belief can break barriers and rewrite expectations.

More Undrafted Talent

While these players made headline-worthy impacts, they’re far from alone. Nearly every NBA team has been shaped in some way by the contributions of undrafted talent. Below is a list of more undrafted players and their contributions in the NBA.

Jose Calderon
Calderon played 14 NBA seasons for several teams and led the league in free throw percentage in 2008–09 at 98.1%. He was Toronto’s all-time assist leader for years and averaged over 8.0 assists per game four times.

J.J. Barea
Barea was a key piece in the 2011 Mavericks championship run, giving Dallas energy and scoring off the bench. Over 14 seasons, he posted 8.9 PPG and 3.9 APG in 831 games and had a career-best year in 2017–18 with 11.6 PPG and 5.9 APG.

Ish Smith
Smith enjoyed a 14-year career across 13 teams, averaging 7.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 805 games. He set an NBA record for playing on 13 franchises and won a championship with the Nuggets in 2023.

Christian Wood
Wood erupted during the 2020–21 season, averaging 21.4 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. As a stretch center, he’s shot over 37 percent from three and delivered multiple seasons averaging double-doubles.

T.J. McConnell
McConnell has been a sparkplug for the Pacers, averaging 8.6 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds over 19 playoff games. In Game 3 of the NBA Finals, he tallied 10 points, five assists and five steals in just 15 minutes, helping Indiana take a 2–1 series lead.

Austin Reaves
Reaves has emerged as a key contributor for the Lakers, averaging 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists for his career. He broke out in 2024–25 with 20.2 points per game and represented the U.S. at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Scotty Pippen Jr.
Pippen Jr. made his own mark in the NBA with the Grizzlies, averaging 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 2024–25. Over 106 games, he’s averaged 10.0 points and shot over 40 percent from three.

Udonis Haslem
Haslem spent his entire 20-year career with the Miami Heat, winning three championships and becoming the team’s all-time leading rebounder. He averaged 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds while setting the cultural tone in Miami.

Matthew Dellavedova
Dellavedova won a title with Cleveland in 2016 and built a reputation as a tough, defensive-minded guard. He averaged 4.2 points and 2.8 assists over 447 games and had a standout 2015 Finals guarding Steph Curry.

Naz Reid
Reid broke out with the Timberwolves and won the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year award. He averaged 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and shot nearly 40 percent from three as one of the league’s top bench scorers.

Jose Alvarado
Alvarado quickly became a Pelicans fan favorite thanks to his relentless defense and clutch steals. Nicknamed “Grand Theft Alvarado,” he averaged 10.3 points and 4.6 assists in 2024–25 while continuing to disrupt opponents on both ends.

John Starks
Starks went from bagging groceries to becoming an All-Star and Sixth Man of the Year with the Knicks. He averaged 12.5 points and 3.6 assists and earned a reputation for big shots and bigger moments in New York’s playoff runs.

Joe Ingles
Ingles averaged 8.0 points and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 40.9 percent from three. As a versatile wing, he was a key piece on Utah’s 50-win teams and delivered several clutch playoff performances.

Earl Boykins
Standing at just 5-foot-5, Boykins averaged 8.9 points and 3.2 assists over 13 seasons. One of the most effective undrafted scorers, he remains one of the shortest players in NBA history to make a lasting impact.