The NBA is the ultimate goal for numerous basketball players, as it is widely considered the top basketball league globally. Some players strive to achieve their NBA aspirations, while NBA franchises pursue others.
Moreover, a few possess exceptional skills to compete in the NBA. Regrettably, a few of them opted for decisions that led to their non-existence in the NBA.
There are various reasons why they didn't participate in the Association, including drug issues, unfortunate fatalities, financial constraints, inaccurate assessments by NBA scouts, and other factors.
This article will examine the top 7 basketball players who have never played in the NBA.
1. Dejan “White Magic” Bodiroga
Dejan Bodiroga may not be a familiar name in American households, but he is a renowned basketball figure worldwide. Standing tall at 6'9", he showcased his skills in various countries such as Yugoslavia, Italy, Spain, and Greece, easily defeating his opponents. He garnered multiple MVP awards, including two EuroLeague MVPs and a FIBA World Cup MVP in 2002.
Whenever Bodiroga played, he was almost sure to score 20 points and grab five rebounds. Although Sacramento chose him in the 1995 draft's second round, he decided not to play in the NBA and instead opted to be a dominant figure in European basketball.
In the 1996 Olympics, White Magic guided the Yugoslav national team to a second-place finish, losing the championship match to a star-studded U.S. team that included Reggie Miller and David Robinson. White Magic called it quits in 2007.
2. Sergio Llull
Despite the NBA's interest in 30-year-old Sergio Llull, he has stayed content with his success at Real Madrid. Llull excels as a guard in both positions, possesses remarkable speed, and is an exceptional long-range shooter.
In the 2016-17 season, Llull was honored with the EuroLeague MVP award and has since become a prominent member of the Spanish national basketball team, which has also seen the emergence of NBA talents like Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon. Llull's impressive achievements include winning two Olympic medals (a silver in 2012 and a bronze in 2016) while representing Spain.
In the 2009 Draft, he was selected by the Nuggets as the 34th pick. However, the Rockets bought his draft rights for a significant amount of $2.25 million, which was considered substantial back then. Despite this, he has decided to remain with Real Madrid for the entirety of his career.
Also Read: 3 NBA Stars Who Are Steph Curry's Biggest Opponents
3. Skip Wise
During the 1970s, Skip Wise was a standout player at a Baltimore high school. He successfully led his team from Dunbar to an impressive win against the dominant DeMatha squad, which featured the future Basketball Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley.
Wise, a robust guard standing at 6'2", excelled at Clemson and made history as the inaugural freshman to earn first-team All-ACC with an impressive average of 18 PPG. Despite his talent, Wise departed college after only a year to join the American Basketball Association. However, his career was derailed by drug use, as was the case with several others on this list.
Reportedly, after he got a chance to play for the Warriors, he was caught using heroin and was promptly released. Wise subsequently joined the Spurs, but his stint with the team was short-lived, as he was released after just two games. He was later incarcerated for drug trafficking. Following the end of his career, Wise returned to Baltimore and began working at a community center.
4. Dimitris Diamantidis
Dimitris Diamantidis achieved a successful basketball career in Europe. Regrettably, he did not get selected in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Despite attempts by NBA teams to recruit Diamantidis subsequently, his former coach Kostas Pilafidis revealed that the European star opted to remain in Europe.
Diamantidis' selfless and versatile style of play has earned him numerous accolades in European basketball, including three Euroleague championships, an MVP award, six Best Defender titles, nine Greek League titles, and several others.
5. Lenny Cooke
Even though LeBron James was touted as the next big thing after graduating high school, he wasn't always the most highly-regarded prospect in his class. Surprisingly, Lenny Cooke was ranked higher than both LBJ and Carmelo Anthony.
Unfortunately, Cooke's fortunesturnedn for the worse when he entered the NBA Draft a year earlier than expected. Despite assurances from agents and NBA teams that he would be selected, Cooke was ultimately left undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft.
Despite being a promising prospect, he had to settle for playing in minor basketball leagues. Even though the Boston Celtics invited him to play in the NBA Summer League, he was never offered a contract in the NBA. Subsequently, he showcased his abilities overseas and played in China and the Philippines.
6. Earl Manigault
At a towering height of 6'1, Earl Manigault possessed unparalleled athleticism during his era.
He made a name for himself in high school by setting a New York record of 57 points, which caught the attention of many.
Even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's highest scorer of all time, acknowledged Manigault as his most formidable opponent.
7. Ramunas Siskauskas
It could be contended that Ramunas Siskauskas was the most outstanding basketball player who never played in the NBA. DraftExpress labeled Siskauskas as the most well-rounded player, not in the NBA.
Despite not demonstrating his adaptability in the NBA, Siskauskas exerted his dominance in Europe, clinching two Euroleague titles, five Russian League championships, and the Euroleague MVP award.
Siskauskas made his closest appearance in the NBA during the 2010 Preseason Games when he led CSKA Moscow to a 90-87 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 22 points.