10 best undrafted NBA players of all time

Best undrafted NBA players of all-time: 4. Fred VanVleet

1x All-Star (2022), 1x NBA Champion (2019)

As a freshman, VanVleet was part of Wichita State’s Final Four run in 2013. Over the years, he developed into one of the most impactful point guards in the nation. He was a three-time AP All-American honorable mention and two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.

However, VanVleet was surprisingly overlooked during the draft process. Critics pointed to his 5-foot-11 height and were skeptical of his athleticism.

The Toronto Raptors signed him as an undrafted free agent, and he developed into a legitimate piece of the franchise’s core. In 2019, he played in all 24 playoff games during the Raptors’ title run, and he scored 22 points in Game 6 of the Finals.

In February 2021, he broke the single-game scoring record for an undrafted player with 54 points against the Orlando Magic.

Following Kyle Lowry’s departure, VanVleet elevated his game to another level. In 2021-22, he averaged a career-high 20.3 points, 6.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, en route to his first All-Star selection.

The pre-draft discourse focused on his perceived weaknesses (size, athleticism), but his collegiate strengths (shooting, playmaking, on-ball defense) seamlessly translated to the NBA.

At age 29, VanVleet still has plenty of basketball ahead of him, and he has a legitimate shot at becoming the greatest undrafted player of all time.