Not every NBA star dominates from day one. Some players take years to develop before reaching their full potential. From Seth Curry’s slow start to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rapid rise, these 15 players proved that patience pays off.   Whether undrafted, overlooked, or benched early, they overcame the odds to become stars. Here’s a look at their inspiring journeys.

15 NBA Stars Who Defied the Odds by Starting Late

Siakam wasn’t an instant star. In his first two seasons, he averaged just 6.0 points per game, but by his third year, he exploded to 16.9 PPG and won the 2019 Most Improved Player award. A key piece in Toronto’s 2019 NBA Championship run, he’s now a 3x All-Star and 2x All-NBA selection.   Drafted 27th overall in 2016, the Indiana Pacers forward has cemented himself as one of the league’s best. Not bad for someone who only started playing basketball seriously in his late teens!

1. Pascal Siakam

Dragić entered the NBA at 22 years old and spent years as a bench player. But at 27, he took off, averaging 20.3 points and 5.9 assists with the Phoenix Suns and winning the 2014 Most Improved Player award. A 2018 All-Star, Dragić also led Slovenia to a EuroBasket title in 2017, earning MVP honors.   Over his 15-year career, he played for seven different NBA teams, showcasing his grit and adaptability.

2. Goran Dragić

Lowry wasn’t an instant franchise leader, but once he arrived in Toronto in 2012, everything changed. He led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA title in 2019, proving himself as one of the best leaders in franchise history.   A 6x All-Star, 2016 All-NBA Third Team member, and NBA champ, Lowry played a pivotal role in turning Toronto into a contender. Now with the Philadelphia 76ers, his impact on the game is undeniable.

3. Kyle Lowry

Unlike his brother Steph, Seth had a slow start, playing only 4 games in his first two seasons. But once given a real opportunity, he became one of the league’s deadliest three-point shooters.   Currently 7th all-time in NBA three-point percentage, the Charlotte Hornets guard has carved out his own niche. Coming from an NBA family, Seth proved he wasn’t just riding on his last name—he was here to make a name for himself.

15. Seth Curry

4. Seth Curry

Drafted 30th overall in 2011, Butler was far from a sure bet. But with relentless work, he became a 6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA, and one of the best two-way players in the league.   The 2015 Most Improved Player, he took his game to another level, leading deep playoff runs with the Heat. Now with the Golden State Warriors, "Jimmy Buckets" remains one of the toughest competitors in the game.

5. Jimmy Butler

Giannis went from playing organized basketball in 2008 to getting drafted in 2013. His first few seasons were solid, but by 2017, he became a superstar, winning the Most Improved Player award.   The Greek Freak led the Bucks to a title in 2021, secured 2 MVP awards, and is considered one of the best two-way players of all time. Not bad for a kid who once sold sunglasses on the streets of Athens!

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Being the last pick in the 2011 draft didn’t stop IT from becoming an elite scorer. Despite standing at 5’9”, he averaged 28.9 PPG in the 2016-17 season, earning All-NBA Second Team honors. Injuries derailed his career, but his underdog story remains one of the most inspiring in NBA history. As of January 2025, he’s back playing in the G League, still proving doubters wrong.

7. Isaiah Thomas

Redick took his time before finding his stride. At 22, his NBA career began with a minimal role, but after turning 30, he thrived, averaging 15.6 PPG compared to just 9.9 PPG in his first 8 seasons. Now, in 2024, he’s moved from the court to the sidelines as the Los Angeles Lakers' head coach—a transition no one saw coming!

17. JJ Redick (.4145 3P%)

8. J.J. Redick

Drafted at 17 years old, O’Neal struggled in his first 4 seasons, averaging just 3.9 points per game. But once he joined the Pacers, he transformed into a dominant 20-10 big man and won the 2002 Most Improved Player award. A 6x All-Star, O’Neal proved that patience pays off, especially for young prospects.

9. Jermaine O’Neal

Jordan wasn’t always the high-flying dunk machine we remember from the Lob City Clippers. His first two seasons? A modest 4.6 PPG off the bench. But once given the starting role, he became a 3x All-NBA player, 2x All-Defensive selection, and led the league in rebounding twice. He also holds the NBA record for the highest career FG percentage (67.4%) as of 2025.

10. DeAndre Jordan

John Stockton didn't come into the NBA as a guaranteed star. At 22, his rookie season with the Utah Jazz was nothing special, and it took him four years to become a key player. But once he took off, there was no stopping him. Stockton led the league in assists and steals multiple times, holding the NBA records for both to this day.   A 10-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, he played 19 seasons—all with the Jazz—and guided them to two NBA Finals alongside Karl Malone. In 1996, he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, and in 2021, he was honored as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

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11. John Stockton

Steve Nash didn’t start his NBA career lighting up scoreboards. He turned 23 in his rookie season, and in his first four years, he averaged just 7.2 PPG and 3.8 APG. But patience paid off—Nash became an offensive mastermind, leading the Suns to deep playoff runs. He won back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006, proving that age didn’t define greatness.   An 8-time All-Star and 7-time All-NBA selection, Nash cemented his place as one of the best point guards in history, known for his incredible court vision and efficiency.

12. Steve Nash

Hassan Whiteside’s journey to NBA stardom was anything but smooth. He was drafted in 2010 but didn’t get a real shot until the Miami Heat signed him in 2014—at age 25. Once given the opportunity, he became a dominant force in the paint, leading the league in blocks (2016, 2020) and rebounds (2017).   Whiteside’s time in the NBA was shorter than expected, but when he was at his best, he was a defensive nightmare for opponents. His path from obscurity to dominance remains one of the league’s wildest success stories.

13. Hassan Whiteside

John Starks wasn’t even drafted in 1988. After a brief stint with the Warriors, he left the NBA entirely before getting a second chance with the Knicks at 25. That’s when things changed. By his third season in New York, he was averaging 17.5 PPG and 5.1 APG, becoming a key piece of their 90s success.   Starks' fearless playing style made him a fan favorite, and he even earned an All-Star selection. Not bad for a guy who had to fight for every single minute on the court.

14. John Starks

Ben Wallace’s rookie year? Forgettable. At 22, he barely got minutes, averaging just 1.1 PPG and 1.7 RPG. But by his fifth season, he was one of the best defenders in the league. Despite being undersized at 6'9", Wallace dominated the paint, helping the Pistons win the 2004 championship.   A 4-time Defensive Player of the Year and Hall of Famer, he’s widely regarded as the greatest undrafted player in NBA history. The Pistons retired his No. 3 jersey, and he remains an all-time defensive icon.