Inventory: The top ten most unexpected superstars in NBA history

Most NBA stars were hailed as top rookies in college. However, some NBA players end up becoming superstars despite low expectations in their early careers. Before the NBA draft, fans usually have some understanding of which rookies will become NBA stars. Especially driven by analysis, game video and free predictions from experts, the method of determining the player ceiling is more advanced than ever. However, while scout reports and social media still affect the player’s trajectory, some people can always find ways to break expectations and push their caps to new heights. Here are the top ten most unexpected superstars in NBA history.

Nicola Jokic

Nicola Jokic was selected with the 41st pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft and was almost an unknown rookie when entering the NBA. In fact, while the Denver Nuggets selected Jokic, Taco Bell's ad was also aired on TV. Yet, few people thought that Jokic would eventually become the ruler of the NBA and become the best center in the league today. The Serbian star has won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award three times, once the NBA championship and once the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

As a thin teenager from Greece, Giannis Antetokounmpo has all the qualities that cannot be stopped. However, people also know that he was still very young at that time. Although he received almost no honors in Europe, under the careful training and patient guidance of the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff, Giannis eventually grew into a "Greek Monster".

Antetokounmpo has won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice, once the NBA Championship, once the NBA Cup Most Valuable Player Award, once the NBA Fastest Progressive Player Award, and once the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. But more importantly, Giannis led the Bucks to win the NBA championship for the first time in 50 years and won the Finals MVP in 2021.

Shay Gilgers-Alexander

Shay Gilgers-Alexander was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers at the 11th pick in the first round, and many people know that he is a good player from Kentucky. However, no one expected him to rule the league. The new 2025 NBA MVP wasn't favored by the Clippers, so he was taken as part of a big deal in exchange for All-Star Paul George. SGA later became the face of the Oklahoma City Thunder, which had just advanced to the NBA Finals.

Kayey Leonard

You are a very special player when the San Antonio Spurs pick you. The Indiana Pacers initially selected Kawhi Leonard with the 15th pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, but on the same night they traded Leonard to the Spurs again. Many people expect Leonard’s cap to be a top 3D player.

However, after locking in LeBron James and making a big splash in the 2014 NBA Finals, Leonard became one of the youngest NBA Finals MVPs, starting his journey to superstar. So far, he has won two NBA championships with two different teams.

Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler's life is full of ups and downs, but he successfully overcomes these ups and downs with his perseverance and determination. From being expelled from the house to faxing McDonald's national letter of intent to Marquette University, Butler eventually realized his NBA dream.

Although Butler began his career as a substitute for the Chicago Bulls, he gradually accumulated playing time and eventually stood out and won the fastest-progress player in the NBA. The six-time NBA All-Star player played for multiple teams and twice reached the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat.

Jellen Brunson

In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks selected Villanova's outstanding player Jayen Brunson with the 33rd pick in the second round. At first, fans were not interested in his choice. But in the end, he showed his strength as a reliable sixth man.

However, when his contract expired, the Mavericks chose not to offer him a richer contract, paving the way for Brunson to join the New York Knicks. Now, Brunson is wearing the Knicks' jersey, attracting many attentions and eventually becoming the city's most anticipated team superstar.

Tyres Halliburton

While Tyres Halliburton is the first-round pick for the Sacramento Kings, joining a team with poor history only brings conservative expectations. The Kings were not satisfied with his combination with Darron Fox and eventually sent him to the Indiana Pacers, which didn't help. But in Indiana, Halliburton became a superstar, with his critical moment score and superb organizational offense helping the Pacers get back on track.

Pascal Siakam

Pascal Siakam is also a first-round pick. However, it took him a while to gain a foothold in the league. The Cameroonian power forward even played for the Toronto Raptors NBA Development League affiliate Raptors 905 for most of his rookie season and helped the team win the Development League title.

But in the 2019 NBA playoffs, Siakam began to attract attention, becoming a key player in the team's 2019 NBA championship battle. Since then, he has gradually grown into a three-time NBA All-Star player and won the fastest-progress player in the NBA. Currently, Siakam and Halliburton are the cornerstones of the Pacers.

Isaiah Thomas, 5 feet 9 inches (about 1.73 meters), is pitifully short by NBA standards. Therefore, it is no surprise why he was selected at the bottom of the 2011 NBA draft. Nonetheless, these possibilities did not bother Thomas. He first went to the Sacramento Kings when the light overshadowed the lottery show Jimmer Fredette and then grew into a superstar with the Boston Celtics.

To make up for his lack of body shape, Thomas used his speed and versatile scoring ability to inject vitality into the Boston Celtics and lead the team into the playoffs.

John Stockton

No one, including Stockton himself, had too much expectations for him after the Utah Jazz picked John Stockton in the first round. At that time, Gonzaga had not yet gained a foothold in college basketball, and the 6-foot-1-inch (about 1.93 meters) guard got a chance with the Bulls only because of injury.

However, people still ignore his school steals record. Despite the low expectations of him and the slow start of his NBA career, Stockton overcame many difficulties and was selected into the NBA All-Star lineup ten times. More importantly, he also set a record of assists and steals in NBA history before being loaded into the Basketball Hall of Fame.