10 NBA stars who were never hyped entering the league

There is no doubt that they are basketball players who a star in the amateur ranks get a ton of hype. The amount of attention and publicity helps them get their foot in the door of their NBA dreams. However, not all stars needed the hype to become a household name in the NBA. Check out the gallery to see 10 NBA stars who were underrated entering the league.

Kawhi Leonard wasn’t exactly thrilled entering the league. Drafted 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers, Leonard was immediately traded to the San Antonio Spurs in the draft. At the college level, the eventual two-time Finals MVP had a questionable offensive game. Despite averaging 14.1 points per outing for San Diego State, Leonard only converted 25.0% from beyond the arc. However, with San Antonio’s proven player development under Gregg Popovich, he transformed into an NBA star.

Learning basketball late can be a disadvantage. However, Pascal Siakam easily made up for lost time, given that he is one of them the best strikers today in the NBA. Siakam broke out in his sophomore season at New Mexico State, leading the conference with 20.3 points per outing. He was selected late in the first round by the Toronto Raptors in the 2016 NBA Draft with the 27th pick. The Raptors slowly developed him by sending him to the NBA D-League Raptors 905. After winning the D-League title, Siakam evolved into a three-time NBA All-Star. He also helped Toronto win the 2019 NBA Championship.

There’s no doubt that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off one of the best seasons in NBA history. Only in the 2024-25 season, he won NBA MVP honors before leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the NBA Championship, and he was crowned Finals MVP. But at the time, the reigning NBA MVP was far from relevant. After a promising one-and-done stint with Kentucky, SGA was drafted 11th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. He was immediately used as a trade tool in the draft, sending him to the Los Angeles Clippers. The The Clippers also sent him to receive Paul George. Despite being overlooked, the Thunder star is now a household name in the NBA.

After spending four productive seasons at Michigan State, NBA scouts and GMs wondered if Draymond Green would adjust to the professional ranks. At just 6-foot-7, it’s easy to see why several teams passed on him in the 2012 NBA Draft. However, the Golden State Warriors grabbed him in the second round. With Steve Kerr’s signature small-ball system, Greene thrived as the heart and soul of the team facilitating the offense and solidifying the defense. From the 35th overall pick, he transformed into a four-time NBA champion, four-time All-Star and NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner.

Originally from France, Rudy Gobert began his professional basketball career in Europe. But unlike typical European centers, Gobert had a limited skill set, especially on the offensive end. Of course, he wasn’t excited about his poor numbers in LNB Pro A. The 7-foot-1 big man averaged just 10.8 points per game over three seasons. The Denver Nuggets quietly selected him with the 27th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft before trading his rights to the Utah Jazz shortly thereafter. Gobert was asked to develop his game with the Bakersfield Jam in the NBA G-League. Once he gained confidence, the Jazz promoted him to the team’s starting center. Since then, the rest is history. The current Minnesota Timberwolves player has earned three All-Star appearances and four NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards.

The Milwaukee Bucks must have hit the jackpot by finding a diamond in the rough in Giannis Antetokounmpo. After all, who would have thought that a two-time NBA MVP would be playing in the semi-professional Greek B basketball league. Although he was physically gifted, the Bucks knew they needed time and patience to hone the edges. After being selected 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, Giannis did it all. He would first win the NBA MVP award before winning back-to-back NBA MVPs and one Defensive Player of the Year award. But more importantly, the Greek freak led Milwaukee to an NBA championship and an NBA Cup title.

Not many NBA stars have faced adversity like Jimmy Butler. From leaving homeless as a teenager to fax his letter of intent to Marquette University, Butler defied the odds. He excelled during his three seasons with Marquette, averaging 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per outing. He was the last pick of the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls. Of course, Butler was forced to earn his minutes after a string of seasons buried on the bench. With the team riddled with injuries, Butler got his much-needed opportunities to shine. Fast forward, and he became the premier wing in the league, earning NBA Most Improved Player honors, six All-Star Game appearances and five All-NBA team selections.

Small guards are slowly dying out in the NBA. The last time a guard under six feet had a significant impact was Isaiah Thomas. The 5-foot-8 guard excelled with the Washington Huskies, but his frame has raised questions especially at the professional level. As a result, the Sacramento Kings made him the last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Regardless, Thomas defied expectations, becoming a two-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA team with the Boston Celtics.

Ben Wallace was pretty much off the NBA radar, especially considering he played at the NCAA Division II level with Virginia Union. In fact, he didn’t even hear his name called in the 1996 NBA draft. He was forced to play overseas before finally landing an NBA contract. Wallace had to earn his minutes in the league every night. But with the Detroit Pistons, he blossomed into a certified star. The 6-foot-9 center anchored the defense en route to an NBA championship in 2004. He also collected four All-Star Game appearances and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

There is no doubt that the Denver Nuggets have found a gem in Nikola Jokic. After playing in the Adriatic League in Serbia, the Nuggets gambled on Jokic’s high basketball IQ and potential. They selected him in the second round with the 41st pick, in the middle of a Taco Bell commercial. But while at that time nobody knew about the Serbian perspective, now every basketball fan knows him. The Nuggets’ center dominated the NBA, leading to three NBA MVPs, an NBA championship and a Finals MVP. He probably is the best big man in the league today.