15 worst NBA players of all time based on stats and fans reactions
The worst NBA players of all time include Anthony Bennett, Hasheem Thabeet, Chris Washburn, and Dragan Bender. Despite being high draft picks, these players failed to meet expectations, eventually leaving the league earlier than expected.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- The worst NBA players include Michael Olowokandi, Rafael Araujo, Chris Washburn, and Dragan Bender.
- In 1989, Chris Washburn received a lifetime ban from the NBA after a third drug violation.
- After the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Greg Oden as the first-round, first overall pick in 2007, Oden missed his rookie season, 2007/08, because of injury.
- In 1984, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Sam Bowie as their first-round, second-overall pick ahead of Michael Jordan.
- Anthony Bennet was drafted alongside players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, who have become NBA superstars.
Worst NBA players of all time
| Players | Statistics |
| Anthony Bennett | Averaged 4.4 points, 3.1 total rebounds, 0.5 assists and a 39.2% field goal percentage |
| Michael Olowokandi | 8.3 points on average, 6.8 total rebounds, and a 43.5% field goal percentage |
| Hasheem Thabeet | Averaged 2.2 points, 2.7 total rebounds, and 56.7% field goal percentage |
| Darko Milicic | Averaged 6.0 points per game, accumulating 2,813 points, 4.2 total rebounds per game resulting in 1,971 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 46% field goal percentage |
| Rafael Araujo | Averaged 2.8 points per game, 2.8 total rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 40.5% field goal percentage |
| Sam Bowie | Averaged 4.1 field goals per game, 10.5 points per game, 2.6 assists per game and 8.1 total rebounds |
| Nikoloz Tskitishvili | Averaged 2.9 points per game, 1.8 total rebounds, 0.7 assists and 30.4% field goal percentage |
| Chris Washburn | Averaged 3.1 points per game, 2.4 total rebounds, 0.3 assists and 41.2% field goal percentage |
| Dragan Bender | Averaged 5.4 points per game, 3.9 total rebounds per game, 1.3 assists and 39.9% field goal percentage |
| Kwame Brown | Averaged 6.6 points per game, 5.5 total rebounds, 0.9 assists and 49.2% field goal percentage |
| Brian Scalabrine | Averaged 3.1 points per game, 2.0 total rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 39% field goal percentage |
| Robert Traylor | Averaged 4.8 points per game, 3.7 total rebounds per game, 0.7 assists and 47.4% field goal percentage |
| Greg Oden | Averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 total rebounds, 0.5 assists and 57.4% field goal percentage |
| Jimmer Fredette | Averaged 6.0 points per game, 1.0 total rebounds, 1.4 assists and 40.9% field goal percentage |
| Javaris Crittenton | Averaged 5.3 points per game, 2.4 total rebounds per game, 1.8 assists per game, and 44.2% field goal percentage |
We compiled this list of the worst NBA players of all time based on factors such as career statistics, draft expectations against their performance, and appearances. We relied on data from Stadium Talk, Basketball Reference and Clutch Points to provide the most accurate information.
1. Anthony Bennett
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Anthony Harris Bennett
- Date of birth: March 14, 1993
- College: University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, Maine Red Claws
Anthony Bennett is the worst basketball player to ever play in the NBA. In 2013, the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him as a first-round, first-overall pick, alongside notable players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trey Burke and Victor Oladipo.
Unlike them, Bennett did not turn out to be the superstar they expected. He spent only four seasons in the league, with the Brooklyn Nets being his last team in 2017. Statistically, he played 151 games, averaged 4.4 points, 3.1 total rebounds, 0.5 assists and a 39.2% field goal percentage.
2. Michael Olowokandi
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Michael Olowokandi
- Date of birth: April 3, 1975
- College: University of Pacific
- Teams: Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics
In 1998, Michael Olowokandi was a first-round, first-overall draft pick, selected by the Los Angeles Clippers. He was drafted ahead of successful players like Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter, and unfortunately, this choice did not pay off for the Clippers.
Olowokandi, who was 7 feet 1 inch, did not dominate the ring, with only 8.3 points on average, 6.8 total rebounds, and a 43.5% field goal percentage. Apart from the Clippers, he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and finished his NBA career with the Boston Celtics.
3. Hasheem Thabeet
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- Full name: Hashim Thabit Manka
- Date of birth: February 16, 1987
- College: University of Connecticut
- Teams: Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Tanzanian player ranks among the bad NBA players in the league’s history. In 2009, he was a first-round, second-overall pick for the Memphis Grizzlies, whom he represented for two years.
In between, he played in the NBA Developmental League for the Dakota Wizards. The Oklahoma City Thunder was the last team he played for in the NBA. Overall, Thabeet played 224 games, averaged 2.2 points, 2.7 total rebounds, and 56.7% field goal percentage.
4. Darko Milicic
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Darko Miličić
- Date of birth: June 20, 1985
- High school: Hemiska High School
- Teams: Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks
Despite winning the NBA Championship in his rookie season, Darko Milicic never lived up to expectations. Throughout his career, the Serb averaged 6.0 points per game, accumulating 2,813 points and 4.2 total rebounds per game, resulting in 1,971 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 46% field goal percentage. These are not dominating numbers for a 7-foot player. Milicic struggled to get consistent game time because other players around him were better.
5. Rafael Araujo
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Rafael Paulo de Lara Araújo
- Date of birth: August 12, 1980
- College: Arizona Western College, Brigham Young University
- Teams: Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz
Rafael Araujo is among the weakest NBA players to join the league. In 2004, the Toronto Raptors drafted him in the first round as their eighth overall pick. However, he only spent three years in the NBA, playing 139 games and averaging 2.8 points per game, 2.8 total rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 40.5% field goal percentage.
The Brazilian was drafted ahead of more accomplished players such as NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala. After exiting the NBA, Araujo played in Europe and Brazil.
6. Sam Bowie
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Samuel Paul Bowie
- Date of birth: March 17, 1961
- College: University of Kentucky
- Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, New Jersey Nets
Sam Bowie’s 1984 draft was unsuccessful. He was the Portland Trail Blazers’ first-round, second-overall pick ahead of Michael Jordan. This is a choice that hit the Blazers hard, especially with how Jordan’s career panned out.
In comparison, Bowie played five years for the Blazers and made 139 appearances, averaging 4.1 field goals per game, 10.5 points per game, 2.6 assists per game, and 8.1 total rebounds.
He was also held back by injury, missing the 1987/88 campaign. Overall, Bowie played 511 games, averaged 10.9 points per game, 7.5 total rebounds, 2.1 assists and 45.2 field goal percentage.
7. Nikoloz Tskitishvili
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Nikoloz Tskitishvili
- Date of birth: April 14, 1983
- High school: 58 Sports School
- Teams: Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns
In 2002, the Denver Nuggets drafted Nikoloz Tskitishvili in the first round as the fifth overall pick. However, he could not live up to the expectations his draft position carried.
Over four seasons with the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns, he appeared in 172 games, averaging 2.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and a 30.4% field goal percentage.
8. Chris Washburn
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Christopher Scott Washburn
- Date of birth: May 13, 1965
- College: North Carolina State University
- Teams: Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks
Chris Washburn went from being a first-round, third-overall pick in 1986 to receiving a lifetime ban from the NBA in 1989. A year after the Golden State Warriors, he checked into a drug rehabilitation centre in Van Nuys, California.
In September 1988, he was suspended after relapsing and in 1989, he was banned for a third violation, ending his NBA career. Washburn played 72 games and averaged 3.1 points per game, 2.4 total rebounds, 0.3 assists and 41.2% field goal percentage.
9. Dragan Bender
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Dragan Bender
- Date of birth: November 17, 1997
- College: Nikola Vujčić Basketball Academy
- Teams: Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks
Dragan Bender is one player with worst NBA stats. From playing only 187 games to averaging only 5.4 points per game, 3.9 total rebounds per game, 1.3 assists and 39.9% field goal percentage, he was an underwhelming player. In 2016, the Phoenix Suns drafted him in the first round as the fourth overall pick. He only stayed in the league for four seasons and went to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
10. Kwame Brown
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- Full name: Kwame Hasani Brown
- Date of birth: March 10, 1982
- High school: Glynn Academy
- Teams: Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies
Kwame Brown is among the terrible basketball players to ever play in the NBA. In 2001, the Washington Wizards drafted him in the first round as the first overall pick, marking a new beginning in his career.
However, he crumbled under the weight of being a top pick straight from high school and played 607 games in his career. He averaged 6.6 points per game, 5.5 total rebounds, 0.9 assists and 49.2% field goal percentage.
11. Brian Scalabrine
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- Full name: Brian David Scalabrine
- Date of birth: March 18, 1978
- College: Highline CC, University of Southern California
- Teams: New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics
Scalabrine, fondly referred to as the white mamba, was a second-round, 34th overall draft pick. While he was not high in the pecking order, his energy and attitude excited fans who expected more from him than he delivered. Out of 520 games, Scalabrine averaged 3.1 points per game, 2.0 total rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 39% field goal percentage.
12. Robert Traylor
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Robert DeShaun "Tractor" Traylor
- Date of birth: February 1, 1977
- College: University of Michigan
- Teams: Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Browns
Robert Taylor struggled to maintain his conditioning, making it difficult for him to perform optimally. His first-round, sixth-overall pick did not materialise into significant production, finishing his career with an average of 4.8 points per game, 3.7 total rebounds per game, 0.7 assists and 47.4% field goal percentage. Unfortunately, Traylor died in 2011 from a heart attack.
13. Greg Oden
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Gregory Wayne Oden Jr.
- Date of birth: January 22, 1988
- College: Ohio State University
- Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat
In 2007, Greg Oden was the NBA’s first-round, first-overall pick, drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers after a stellar college career. He was the 2006 Naismith Player of the Year, Mr Basketball USA, Pete Newell Big Man Award (2007) and the NABC Defensive Player of the Year.
Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from playing his rookie year (2007/08). Instead, he was listed as a rookie in the 2008/09 campaign. This would be a pattern in his career, and he missed the entire 2013/13 year to focus on injury rehabilitation. Consequently, Oden played 105 games and averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 total rebounds, 0.5 assists and 57.4% field goal percentage.
14. Jimmer Fredette
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: James Taft Fredette
- Date of birth: February 25, 1989
- College: Brigham Young University
- Teams: Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls
Jimmer had a stunning college career at Brigham Young University, where he won the National College Player of the Year (2011), NCAA Scoring Champion (2011), MWC Player of the Year and Consensus First Team All-American (2011).
His results justified his first-round, tenth-overall pick. However, things did not work for him. In his career, Fredette played 241 games, averaging 6.0 points per game, 1.0 total rebounds, 1.4 assists and 40.9% field goal percentage.
15. Javaris Crittenton
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Javaris Cortez Crittenton
- Date of birth: December 31, 1987
- College: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies
In 2007, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Javaris Crittenton as a first-round, 19th overall pick. However, he played one season and was traded to the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies traded him after a season to the Washington Wizards, his last NBA team. He appeared in 113 games, averaging 5.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists per game, and a 44.2% field goal percentage.
Final word
These are the worst NBA players of all time. They ranked high in the drafts but had poor production in games. Apart from this, injuries also plagued some, limiting their effectiveness in matches. These players demonstrate that a successful high school or college career does not always lead to a successful NBA career.
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