Greatest Basketball Players To Never Play In The Nba
When we talk about basketball, the National Basketball Association (NBA) is the first thing that comes to our mind. The NBA is the most popular basketball league in the world, and it has produced some of the greatest basketball players of all time. However, not every great basketball player has played in the NBA. In this article, we will discuss some of the greatest basketball players who have never played in the NBA.
1. Oscar Schmidt
Oscar Schmidt is a Brazilian basketball legend who is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He played for the Brazilian national team for almost 20 years and scored over 49,000 points in his career. Despite being offered contracts by several NBA teams, Schmidt never played in the NBA due to his commitment to the Brazilian national team.
2. Sabonis Arvydas
Sabonis Arvydas is a Lithuanian basketball player who is considered one of the best centers of all time. He played for the Soviet Union national team during the 1980s and won two Olympic gold medals. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Sabonis played in the Spanish league and was named the league's MVP six times. He was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1986 but did not join the NBA until 1995 due to political issues and injuries.
3. Dražen Petrović
Dražen Petrović was a Croatian basketball player who is regarded as one of the best shooting guards of all time. He played for the Yugoslavian national team during the 1980s and won two Olympic silver medals and a FIBA World Cup gold medal. He played in Europe for several years and was named the European Player of the Year twice. He was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1986 but did not join the NBA until 1989 due to political issues.
4. Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka is a Congolese-Spanish basketball player who has played for the Spanish national team. He played in the Spanish league for several years before joining the NBA in 2009. He is known for his defensive skills and has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times. He has also won a gold medal with the Spanish national team in the FIBA World Cup.
5. Juan Carlos Navarro
Juan Carlos Navarro is a Spanish basketball player who has played for the Spanish national team. He played in the Spanish league for almost 20 years and won several league championships and individual awards. He was named the EuroLeague MVP in 2009 and led his team, FC Barcelona, to two EuroLeague championships. He was offered contracts by several NBA teams but chose to stay in Europe.
Conclusion
There are many great basketball players who have never played in the NBA. These players have played in different leagues around the world and have achieved great success. While the NBA is the most popular basketball league in the world, it is important to recognize the talent and achievements of these players who have never played in the NBA.