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10 best undrafted NBA players of all time

By Jakob Ashlin

Feb 14, 2012; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace (6) during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at The Palace. Spurs defeated the Pistons 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2012; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace (6) during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at The Palace. Spurs defeated the Pistons 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) reacts after entering the game during the first quarter against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /

From multiple-time All-Stars to award winners, let’s take a look at the 10 best undrafted players in NBA history.

Every year, teams look to improve their roster in the NBA Draft. Typically, we spend a lot of time analyzing the projected lottery picks, but some impact players slide through the cracks. Throughout league history, there has been a wealth of talented undrafted players.

Here are the 10 best undrafted players in NBA history. The list includes All-Stars, NBA Champions, all-time record holders, and award winners.

Best undrafted NBA players of all-time: 10. Udonis Haslem

3x NBA Champion (2006, 2012, 2013), 1x All-Rookie second team (2004)

The Miami Heat signed Haslem as an undrafted free agent in 2003. 20 years later, he is still with the franchise. He is the Heat’s all-time leader in rebounds (5,791) and is second in games played (879) behind only Dwyane Wade.

Haslem has played a limited role over the past few years, but he has made a whopping 501 career starts for the Heat. During their 2006 title run, he started all 22 playoff games, averaging 8.6 points and 7.4 rebounds. In 2013, he started 19 out of 22 playoff games.

Haslem may not have the most eye-popping stats, but his longevity is unrivaled. He is the only undrafted player in NBA history to play more than 20 seasons.

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