NBA Draft 2nd Round: 7 Hidden Gems That Became Superstars

I still remember watching the 2014 NBA Draft and shaking my head when the Denver Nuggets selected Nikola Jokić with the 41st pick. At that moment, nobody could have predicted this chubby Serbian center would become one of the greatest basketball players of his generation. The second round of the NBA Draft has always fascinated me because it's where true scouting genius reveals itself. Teams often overlook talented players due to temporary struggles or limited visibility, much like what happened to Jorick Bautista in that FEU game where early foul trouble limited his impact in just the second frame. Sometimes, what appears to be a player's weakness in college or international play becomes their greatest strength in the professional ranks.

Looking back through NBA history, the second round has produced some of the league's most remarkable success stories. Take Manu Ginóbili, selected 57th overall in 1999. The Argentine guard was virtually unknown to most American fans when the Spurs drafted him, but he would become the cornerstone of four championship teams and revolutionize the way teams use sixth men. Then there's Draymond Green, who fell to the 35th pick in 2012 despite his incredible basketball IQ and defensive versatility. I've always believed Green's success demonstrates how traditional metrics often fail to capture a player's true value. His college stats at Michigan State weren't eye-popping - he averaged about 16 points and 10 rebounds in his final season - but his impact transcended numbers.

What separates these second-round gems from other players is their mental toughness and adaptability. Isaiah Thomas, the final pick in the 2011 draft at number 60, used his draft position as motivation throughout his career. Despite standing just 5'9", he became one of the league's most explosive scorers, averaging nearly 29 points per game during his peak season with Boston. I've always admired how these overlooked players develop unique skills that compensate for their perceived limitations. Marc Gasol, selected 48th in 2007, transformed his body and game multiple times throughout his career, evolving from a traditional post player to an elite passer and three-point shooter.

The modern NBA has seen second-round success stories continue with players like Malcolm Brogdon, who became the first second-round pick to win Rookie of the Year in 2017, and Nikola Jokić, who has redefined the center position while winning multiple MVP awards. What's particularly fascinating to me is how these players often develop at different rates than their lottery-pick counterparts. Jokić didn't even start for the Nuggets until his second season, but once he got the opportunity, he never looked back. His journey reminds me that patience and proper development are crucial for unlocking a player's potential, regardless of where they're drafted.

As someone who's followed the draft for over two decades, I've noticed that successful second-round picks often share certain characteristics beyond just talent. They possess incredible work ethics, basketball intelligence, and that elusive "chip on their shoulder" that drives them to prove doubters wrong. Gilbert Arenas, selected 31st in 2001, famously spent his entire career motivated by the 30 teams that passed on him in the first round. This psychological edge can't be measured at combine workouts or in statistical analysis, but it's often what separates good players from great ones. The next time you're watching the NBA Draft, pay close attention to the second round - you might just be witnessing the beginning of the next superstar's journey.