NBA Draft 2nd Round Success Stories: How Late Picks Became Superstars

I’ll never forget watching Nikola Jokić slip to the 41st pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. At the time, I was just a college basketball junkie with a habit of obsessing over overlooked prospects, but that moment solidified something for me: the second round isn’t a graveyard—it’s a goldmine. It’s where scouting intuition, player development, and a little bit of luck collide to create some of the league’s most compelling narratives. I’ve spent years tracking these under-the-radar picks, and what fascinates me most isn’t just their rise, but the circumstances that almost held them back—much like what happened in that FEU game where Jorick Bautista, their top scorer, found himself shackled by foul trouble early, picking up three fouls just in the second quarter. When your primary weapon is sidelined, someone else has to step up. That’s the second-rounder’s reality: limited opportunity, immense pressure, and a system that isn’t built around them. Yet, against those odds, players like Jokić, Draymond Green, and Manu Ginóbili didn’t just survive—they thrived, rewriting their destinies in the process.

Let’s talk about development pathways, because honestly, I think that’s where most franchises drop the ball. A second-round pick rarely walks into a perfect situation. They’re not handed the keys like a top-five selection. Instead, they’re fighting for minutes, fighting for respect, and often spending time in the G League—something I’ve seen firsthand while visiting affiliate teams. Take Isaiah Thomas, the 60th and final pick in 2011. At 5’9”, he was written off before he even stepped on an NBA court. But Sacramento gave him a sliver of opportunity, and he averaged around 11.5 points per game as a rookie. That’s the thing about these guys—they’re hungrier. They play with an edge because they have to. I remember watching film of Draymond Green at Michigan State and thinking, "This guy’s basketball IQ is off the charts," yet he fell to 35th in 2012. Why? Maybe because he didn’t fit the traditional mold of an NBA forward. But Golden State saw something else—a versatile defender and playmaker who’d become the heartbeat of a dynasty. In my opinion, that’s the real secret: organizations that prioritize fit and potential over conventional metrics often hit the jackpot in the second round.

Of course, not every pick turns out that way. For every Draymond, there are a dozen players who fade into obscurity. But the ones who break through often share a common thread—resilience forged through adversity. Manu Ginóbili, selected 57th in 1999, didn’t even come over to the NBA until 2002. When he did, he revolutionized the sixth-man role and won four championships. I’ve always admired his fearlessness; he played with a creativity that you just can’t teach. Similarly, Jokić’s ascent was anything but linear. He was slow, unathletic by NBA standards, and honestly, his early highlights didn’t exactly scream "future MVP." But Denver invested in him, letting him develop at his own pace, and by the 2020-21 season, he was putting up 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game—numbers that cemented his superstar status. It’s a reminder that development isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. And sometimes, the players who start with the least—like a team missing its star player to foul trouble—end up with the most to prove, and ultimately, the most to give.

Looking back, I’m convinced the second round is where the soul of the NBA lives. It’s unpredictable, deeply human, and full of stories that defy the odds. As a fan and analyst, I’ll always have a soft spot for these underdogs—the ones who entered the league with low expectations and left as legends. They remind us that talent isn’t always obvious, and success isn’t just about where you’re picked, but what you do with the chance you’re given. So next time you’re watching the draft, don’t tune out after the first round. Stick around. The next superstar might be waiting in the shadows, ready to step into the light.