The NBA draft began in 1947, but the number of rounds was reduced several times until settling on the modern two-round format in 1989. Since then, 16 second-round draftees have been honored with an All-Star Game selection. When NBA executives go through this list -- nearly every team had a shot at all of these players -- there are some regrets.
Draymond Green
(No. 35 overall by Golden State Warriors: 2012, All-Star: 2016)
After just four seasons, Green has amassed one of the most impressive resumes of any second-round selection. The 2012 NABC Player of the Year at Michigan State Spartan is a two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team player and 2015 NBA champion. He wears No. 23 to honor fellow Spartan alum Jason Richardson, who went fifth overall in 2001. But Richardson failed to accomplish in a 14-year career much of what Green, a 2016 All-Star, has already done.
Isaiah Thomas
(No. 60 overall by Sacramento Kings: 2011, All-Star: 2016)
The last man selected in the 2011 draft, Thomas was on his way to having a "Mr. Irrelevant" career, playing for three different teams in his first five years. Thomas turned it around when paired with Brad Stevens in Boston. Thomas is the lowest draft pick to receive an All-Star selection since the draft was reduced to two rounds, as well as the co-shortest player, with Calvin Murphy at 5'9," ever selected for the game. Thomas has averaged 21.5 points in ten career playoff games.
Marc Gasol
(No. 48 overall by Los Angeles Lakers: 2007, All-Star: 2012, 2015)
The younger Gasol brother has put together an excellent career thus far, being awarded NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and getting an All-NBA First Team nod in 2015. The two-time Olympic silver medalist was drafted by the Lakers, but after refusing to sign, his NBA rights were traded to Memphis, where he has played his entire NBA career. Older brother Pau was part of the package sent to L.A., marking the only time in NBA history two brothers were traded for each other.
Paul Millsap
(No. 47 overall by Utah Jazz, 2006, All-Star: 2014-2016)
One of two three-time All-stars in this group, Millsap came from mid-major Louisiana Tech. Despite leading the NCAA in rebounding for his final three college seasons -- a feat no other player has ever accomplished -- Millsap was not highly touted as a draft prospect. After a solid tenure in Utah, Millsap signed with Atlanta in 2013, where he has played his best basketball of his career.
Mo Williams
(No. 47 overall by Utah Jazz: 2003, All Star: 2009)
Williams, who was selected three years before Millsap in the same slot, has had quite the journeyman career. Playing for seven different teams, including Utah and Cleveland, where he made multiple stints, Williams has struggled to find a home. The point guard and former SEC Freshman of the Year earned his All-Star selection in 2009 during his first Cavaliers stint, and he won an NBA title in 2016. Williams scored 12 points in 17 minutes in his only All-Star Game.
Kyle Korver
(No. 51 overall by New Jersey Nets: 2003, All-Star: 2015)
The long under-appreciated sharpshooter is getting the respect he deserves for a 13-year career for four different teams. Korver holds the NBA record for highest three-point field goal percentage in a season (53.6 percent). He also set an NBA record for most consecutive games with a made three-pointer (127), but that record has since been broken by a dude named Stephen Curry. Korver made the 2015 All-Star Game as a replacement for the injured Dwyane Wade, and he made the most of his opportunity, scoring 21 points in 16 minutes. Korver was the fourth-oldest first-time All-Star, appearing at 33 years and 11 months.
Carlos Boozer
(No. 35 overall by Cleveland Cavaliers: 2002, All-Star: 2007, 2008)
After his junior season at Duke, Boozer declared for the draft along with teammate Jay Williams, who went second overall but lasted only two years in the NBA before being waived after a motorcycle accident. Boozer fell to the second round, but produced an admirable 13-year career. His best run came with the Utah Jazz, earning two consecutive All-Star selections and being named to the All-NBA Third Team. He played in 83-career playoff games, averaging 17.1 PPG. Boozer became an Olympic gold medalist in 2008 as a reserve forward for the Redeem Team.
Gilbert Arenas
(No. 31 overall by Golden State Warriors: 2001, All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007)
The best pure talent of anyone on this list, "Agent 0" had an extremely dynamic career. The second pick of the second round, Arenas was the fourth point guard selected in the 2001 draft. After three consecutive All-Star selections early in his career, Arenas had a seemingly limitless ceiling. However, off-the-court issues such as taking a gun to the Wizards' locker room, plagued him. His career ended in extremely disappointing fashion, playing in China after no NBA teams showed interest. Arenas averaged 20.7 points in his career, the best mark of any player on this list.
Mehmet Okur
(No. 37 overall by Detroit Pistons: 2001, All-Star: 2007)
Okur, nicknamed "The Money Man,” for his ability to make big shots in pressure situations, played ten years in the NBA for three different teams. At 6-11, Okur played power forward and center, but his greatest strength was his three-point shooting. Okur was a member of the Pistons' 2004 championship team, and he averaged 8.1 points in 71 career playoff games. He was selected to the 2007 All-Star Game as a replacement for the injured Allen Iverson. He is the first Turkish player to accomplish such a feat.
Michael Redd
(No. 43 overall by Milwaukee Bucks: 2000, All-Star: 2004)
After leading Ohio State to the Final Four in 1999, the Bucks drafted the sharpshooting southpaw, and he remained in Milwaukee for 11 years. Although he only earned one All-Star selection, Redd averaged more than 20 points in six straight seasons. Redd held an NBA record for most three-point field goals made in a single quarter, with eight, until Klay Thompson broke the record with nine. Along with Boozer, Redd became an Olympic gold medalist in 2008 as a reserve guard for the Redeem Team.
Manu Ginobili
(No. 57 overall by San Antonio Spurs: 1999, All-Star: 2005, 2011)
The most decorated man on this list, Ginobili is a two-time All-Star, four-time NBA Champion, two-time All-NBA Third Team member and an NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award winner. Before his NBA career, Ginobili was a two-time Italian League MVP and Euroleague champion. The Argentinian national has represented his country in the Olympics three times, winning a gold medal in 2004 and a bronze in 2008. He likely would have been drafted in the first round if it were not for the uncertainty of him signing with an NBA team upon being drafted. The Spurs had to wait three years for Ginobili to sign, but he was worth the wait.
Rashard Lewis
(No. 32 overall by Seattle SuperSonics: 1998, All-Star: 2005, 2009)
Lewis proved to be a prolific scorer during his time in Seattle, making his NBA debut just after his twentieth birthday. He played for five teams during a 17-year career and made All-Star Games with the Sonics and Magic. In his penultimate season, Lewis was finally rewarded with an NBA championship, thanks to his decision to join LeBron James and the Heat. Lewis averaged 14.9 points in 1,049 career games.
Nick Van Exel
(No. 27 overall by Los Angeles Lakers: 1993, All-Star: 1998)
Currently an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies, Van Exel had a journeyman career during his playing days. He represented six different teams over a fourteen-year career. Van Exel made an All-Star Game in 1998 with the Lakers, but perhaps his best season came in 2002 when he averaged 21.4 ppg for the Nuggets. Van Exel was known for his unorthodox free-throw routine, shooting from more than a foot behind the line. The 27th overall pick would be a first-rounder today, but Van Exel was selected before the Grizzlies, Raptors and Bobcats joined the league.
Antonio Davis
(No. 45 overall by Indiana Pacers: 1990, All-Star: 2001)
Davis’ All-Star selection came in 2001, when he averaged 13.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for the Raptors. Davis was infamously ejected from a game in 2006 after going into the stands to confront a fan he alleged was intoxicated and abusive. Davis, who also starred with the Pacers in the 1990s, was traded from the Knicks back to the Raptors after the incident, and he retired at the end of the year.
Cedric Ceballos
(No. 48 overall by Phoenix Suns: 1990, All-Star: 1995)
The highlight of Ceballos' career came during his second season when he won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest with a blindfolded jam, defeating Shawn Kemp, John Starks, Larry Johnson and Nick Anderson, among others. The following year, he led the NBA in field goal percentage (57.6), while helping lead the Suns to the NBA Finals. Ceballos made the All-Star Game in his first season with the Lakers in 1995. After leaving the NBA in 2002, Ceballos went on to play for nine different semi-professional teams, finally retiring at 42.
Cliff Robinson
(No. 36 overall by Portland Trail Blazers: 1989, All-Star: 1994)
Coming out of UConn, Robinson played for five different teams during his 18-year career -- the longest career of anyone on this list. Robinson was a two-time All-Defensive Second Team selection and a Sixth Man of the Year Award winner. He averaged 14.6 points in 1,380 career contests and made his one All-Star Game with the Blazers in 1994. In retirement, Robinson was a contestant on the 28th installment of Survivor.
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