Ranking the 10 biggest NBA busts in the history of the league

There is a lot of hype attached to basketball players being drafted into the NBA for the first time. Sometimes it is justified, but in other instances, some players fail to achieve the lofty heights set for them. Today we discuss the biggest NBA busts of all time.

The pressure of playing in the most competitive league in the world can get into a young player's head. Most players drafted into the league are between the ages of 19-23, and it takes immense discipline to excel in the NBA.

The top 10 biggest NBA busts

This list includes some of the worst players in the history of the NBA. Most players were not good enough, while others had their careers curtailed by injury.

10. Shawn Bradley

Bradley was heavily rated during his high school and college careers due to his colossal height. He was drafted second overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1993 NBA draft. He played in the league for 12 years and never really lived up to the hype, though he did lead the league in blocks per game in 1997.

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9. Chris Washburn

Washburn was selected 3rd overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1986 NBA draft. He had a problem with drug addiction and eventually went to rehabilitation. In 1989, the league banned him after he failed three consecutive drug tests.

8. Adam Morrison

Morrison was the best collegiate player in the country during his three years at Gonzaga. He was selected 3rd overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2006 draft. Recurring injuries saw him fail to live up to expectations though he did win two NBA championships with the LA Lakers in 2009 and 2010.

7. Jay Williams

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Jay was seen as one of the league's most immense future talents when he was drafted 2nd overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2002. However, injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident curtailed his career. He currently works as a TV analyst.

6. Michael Olowakandi

The LA Clippers drafted Olowakandi with the first overall pick in 1998. He was inconsistent in LA and during spells in Minnesota and Boston. He retired in 2007 after a hernia injury.

5. Kwame Brown

Kwame was drafted by the Washington Wizards straight out of high school in 2001. He bounced around teams in the league with stints at the Lakers, Grizzlies, Pistons, Bobcats, Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers.

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4. Grizzlies

Born in Tanzania, Hasheem moved to the US when he turned 15 and had a successful collegiate career with the UConn Huskies. The Memphis Grizzlies drafted him with the second overall pick. He struggled to adapt to the NBA and was shifted between Memphis, Portland and Oklahoma in his 5-year spell in the league. He currently plays in Taiwan.

3. Greg Oden

Oden is one of the biggest NBA busts since 2000. He was selected first overall by the Portland TrailBlazers in the 2007 NBA draft. Recurring injuries limited his playing time. He had a short spell in 2014 with the Miami Heat, then left the league permanently.

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2. Darko Miličić (NBA Career: 2003-2012)

The Detroit Pistons selected Darko as the 2nd overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft. He was part of the Pistons NBA winning team, but his work ethic was always questioned. He had further stints at Orlando, Memphis, Knicks, Minnesota and Boston.

1. Anthony Bennett

Bennett is one of the biggest ever NBA first-pick busts. He was drafted number one overall by Cleveland in the 2013 NBA draft. He offered abysmal performances, and despite attempts to restart his career in Minnesota, Toronto and Brooklyn, he dropped out of the league after only four seasons.

The NBA's biggest high school busts

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The league stopped drafting players directly from high school. Before they did, players like Darko Miličić and Kwame Brown flopped hard in the league due to their relatively young age and inexperience.

The biggest NBA busts in the last five years

Despite their early careers, some highly rated draft picks have already fallen off their expected career trajectories.

The NBA busts that shone overseas

‌Some players who failed to shine at home have been doing well abroad. 2011's tenth overall pick, Jimmer Fredette, scored 75 points in one game for the Shanghai Sharks in 2018. Former NBA player Derrick Williams has been one of the best players in the Euroleague this season with Panathinaikos.

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Competing with the best basketball players in the world is a challenging task. The biggest NBA busts could not handle the pressure and dedication the league demands on players, their minds and their bodies.

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