The NBA is filled with a slew of superstars who are taking basketball to a whole other level time and time again.
And some of the biggest names in the game are people who weren’t expected to shine so brightly when they were drafted.
In fact, some of the most successful NBA stars were afterthoughts in their respective drafts and have still become dominant players.
Alan Hahn shared his list of the most surprising NBA superstars on Friday’s Get Up.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks and Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers were the fifth and fourth picks, respectively.
They were followed by Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and, finally, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
.@alanhahn's most surprising NBA superstars:
1. Nikola Jokić
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
3. Jimmy Butler
4. Kawhi Leonard
5. Jalen Brunson pic.twitter.com/mVGkBB5QM9— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 2, 2023
Hahn noted that none of these athletes were expected to become the sort of team and league leaders they have transformed into.
He reminded viewers that Jokic was the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and wasn’t even on screen when his name was called.
In fact, a Taco Bell commercial was playing when the Nuggets drafted him.
Years later, he is now a two-time MVP and is just three wins away from his first championship ring.
His current opponent, Butler, was another player who didn’t seem like a runaway success when he was chosen as the 30th pick in the 2011 draft.
He has since become one of the most reliable clutch leaders in the Association and is also battling for a championship victory.
These five players are reminders to everyone else that it doesn’t matter your draft position, you can still find immense success in the league if you have the talent and the drive to succeed.
NEXT: Nikola Jokic Reveals Who He Wanted To Model His Game After Growing Up
