Second-round picks are often underestimated. However, history has shown that some of the greatest players in NBA history have been taken after the conclusion of the first-round. The players selected later in the draft aren’t expected to become stars, which makes their path to stardom that much more compelling. From unheralded beginnings to legendary careers, the journey of these diamond-in-the-rough prospects captivates basketball fans worldwide.
For this exercise, we only included players who were drafted after 1980. This was the year when the draft expanded to 20-plus picks in the first round. As a result, we won’t include players such as Willis Reed — who was technically a second-round pick in 1964 (but the 10th selection overall). Now, for the list:
