Opportunities in the NBA Draft
In the world of professional basketball, particularly the NBA, opportunity is critical, and this Thursday, 29 hopefuls will get their shot during the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, set to air on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. Over the past couple of decades, players selected in the second round have consistently proven to be invaluable assets to their teams. Notably, since the year 2000, 15 second-round selections have made their way to the prestigious All-Star Game, with 10 players also earning a place on an All-NBA team, as documented by ESPN Research.
Notable Second-Round Picks Since 2000
As we approach the next phase of the NBA draft, it’s worth recognizing those players who, despite slipping past the first round, have gone on to achieve remarkable success in the NBA. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant second-round picks since 2000:
Jalen Brunson (Pick No. 33, Dallas Mavericks)
Jalen Brunson, a standout high school player and a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois, showcased his talent at Villanova, clinching two NCAA championships and earning the honor of National Player of the Year. After the Mavericks drafted Luka Doncic in the first round, they selected Brunson in the second round. He gradually made his mark in Dallas, peaking in the 2022 NBA playoffs with impressive averages of 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Post-season success led to a four-year contract with the New York Knicks, where Brunson not only made consecutive All-Star appearances but also played a pivotal role in guiding the team to the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers. He earned fifth place in the MVP voting for the 2023-24 season.
Nikola Jokic (Pick No. 41, Denver Nuggets)
Selected during a Taco Bell commercial, Nikola Jokic had what started as a quiet journey in the NBA. The Sombor, Serbia native played a year in Europe before joining the Denver Nuggets in the 2015-16 season, where he quickly became a starter and showcased his potential by averaging 10 points and 7 rebounds as a rookie. Since then, Jokic has become a transformative player, recording near triple-doubles on a regular basis and earning All-NBA honors each year since 2019. His accolades include back-to-back MVP awards in 2021 and 2022, leading the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA championship in 2023, for which he was named both Western Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP. He continued his excellence into the 2024 season, reclaiming the MVP title when he averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists.
Draymond Green (Pick No. 35, Golden State Warriors)
Draymond Green made his mark on the NBA after a successful college career at Michigan State, where he averaged 10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. Selected early in the second round by the Golden State Warriors, Green has played a crucial role in the team’s success, including four NBA championships between 2015 and 2022. Renowned for his defensive prowess and playmaking skills, he has been named to the All-Defensive team nine times and received the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017, averaging 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists throughout his career.
Khris Middleton (Pick No. 39, Detroit Pistons)
Khris Middleton, who averaged 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds during his time at Texas A&M, was selected by the Detroit Pistons but played only 27 games before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. In Milwaukee, Middleton quickly established himself as a crucial player, contributing to the Bucks’ NBA championship victory over the Phoenix Suns in 2021 with stellar playoff performances. He was recently traded to the Washington Wizards and continued to demonstrate his scoring ability by averaging 10.7 points in the 2024-25 season.
Carlos Boozer (Pick No. 35, Cleveland Cavaliers)
After making a name for himself with the Duke Blue Devils, where he helped lead the team to a national title, Carlos Boozer was drafted by the Cavaliers, earning Rookie of the Year honors right away. His subsequent six-season stint with the Utah Jazz saw him named an All-Star twice, averaging 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds over a career that spanned 13 years.
Gilbert Arenas (Pick No. 31, Golden State Warriors)
Gilbert Arenas played for two seasons at Arizona before being drafted by the Warriors. He gained recognition as the Most Improved Player in 2003 after significantly increasing his scoring average to 18.3 points. Arenas went on to have a successful eight-year tenure with the Washington Wizards, known for being a prolific scorer and a three-time All-Star.
Conclusion
These athletes exemplify how second-round selections can lead to significant careers in the NBA, changing the narrative of being overlooked in the draft to capturing individual and team glory.
