Best Basketball Players That Never Played In The Nba
Basketball, as a sport, has always been dominated by the National Basketball Association (NBA), which is the premier men's professional basketball league in North America. The NBA has featured some of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game, such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson. However, there are many talented basketball players who never got the chance to play in the NBA. This article will take a look at some of the best basketball players who never played in the NBA.
1. Earl Manigault
Earl Manigault was a legendary street basketball player who was known for his incredible skills on the court. He was known as "The Goat" because of his ability to jump over other players and dunk the ball. Manigault was widely considered to be one of the best basketball players in the world during his prime in the 1960s and 1970s. However, he never got the chance to play in the NBA because of his drug addiction and legal troubles.
2. Ronald "Flip" Murray
Ronald "Flip" Murray was a talented basketball player who had a successful college career at Shaw University. He went undrafted in the 2002 NBA draft, but he signed as a free agent with the Seattle SuperSonics. Murray had a solid NBA career, playing for several teams over 12 seasons, but he never achieved the level of stardom that many expected him to during his college career. However, he did have some memorable games, including a 40-point performance for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004.
3. J.R. Smith
J.R. Smith is a talented basketball player who had a successful high school career. He was highly sought after by college scouts, but he decided to skip college and enter the NBA draft straight out of high school. Smith was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in 2004 and had a successful NBA career, playing for several teams over 16 seasons. However, he never achieved the level of stardom that many expected him to during his high school career.
4. Jackie Jackson
Jackie Jackson was a legendary street basketball player who was known for his incredible skills on the court. He was widely considered to be one of the best basketball players in the world during his prime in the 1960s and 1970s. However, he never got the chance to play in the NBA because of his refusal to play organized basketball. Jackson preferred to play in pick-up games and street games, which didn't provide him with the exposure he needed to get noticed by NBA scouts.
5. James "Fly" Williams
James "Fly" Williams was a talented basketball player who had a successful college career at Austin Peay State University. He was known for his flashy style of play and his ability to score points in bunches. Williams was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the 1974 NBA draft, but he decided to play in the American Basketball Association (ABA) instead. Williams had a solid career in the ABA, but he never played in the NBA.
Conclusion
There are many talented basketball players who never got the chance to play in the NBA, but they still left their mark on the sport. These players proved that greatness can come from anywhere, and that talent cannot be ignored. It's important to remember these players and their contributions to basketball, even if they never got the chance to play in the NBA.