NBA busts often get unwarranted flak from fans and analysts. However, we should understand that some folks were not just built for the limelight, and NBA players are humans, after all. Despite failing in the league during their time as players, some of them led successful lives off the court, as their stint in the NBA inevitably opened doors for them to explore and improve areas in their post-basketball lives.
In today’s list, we will select ten former NBA busts you had no idea who found a better career path after basketball.
Which former NBA busts became successful after their playing careers were over?
Jonathan Bender (5th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft)
A prep-to-pro prospect, there was some significant hype that followed Jonathan Bender when he was drafted into the NBA in 1999. Pacers fans were ecstatic about the future as Bender was widely viewed as the sure-fire franchise-caliber player, according to multiple analysts.
However, injuries truly robbed the 6-foot-11 of his potential to become a star in the league. He only played 262 games out of 656 throughout his career. After deciding to hang up his sneakers in 2010, Bender invented the JB Intensive Trainer, a training resistance device for the knees. He also ventured into coaching and is now a beloved member at CoachUp, a private coaching company based in Boston.
Darius Miles (3rd overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft)
Another prep-to-pro who failed to live up to expectations, Miles’s NBA career is still widely viewed as a disappointment due to his high draft selection. That’s why there are folks who constantly label him an NBA bust. The 6-foot-9 forward got involved in a few controversies during his time in the league and also dealt with injuries. As a result, he was out of an NBA job in 2009.
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After filing for bankruptcy in 2016, Miles surprisingly turned his life around by co-hosting a successful podcast called The Knuckleheads with former NBA player Quentin Richardson. The podcast mostly tackles basketball-related topics and interviews former or current players.
Steve Stipanovich (2nd overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft)
We’ll forgive you if you haven’t heard about Steve Stipanovich – Indiana’s prized pick in the 1983 NBA Draft. Stipanovich was not that bad as a player, but he definitely did not live up to the expectations as a 2nd overall pick in the association.
After a good five-year run with the Pacers, the 6 foot 11 big man out of Missouri was forced to retire at just the age of 28 due to a degenerative knee condition. He first ventured into coaching after his NBA career ended but eventually returned home to St. Louis, Missouri, and owned/operated a coal mine.
LaRue Martin (1st overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft)
If we talk about NBA draft busts, LaRue Martin’s time in the league often flies under the radar compared to other well-known disappointments such as Kwame Brown, Anthony Bennett, and Andrea Bargnani. During his four-year career, the 6 foot 11 Martin averaged a meager 5.3 ppg and 4.6 rpg—extremely underwhelming stats for a first-round pick.
When he decided to step away in 1976, Martin worked for Nike in the 1970s and UPS in the 1980s. He’s been the UPS community Services Manager since 2005 and is on the National Basketball Retired Players Association Board of Directors.
Eric Montross (9th overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft)
The Celtics were extremely happy when former Tar Heel star Eric Montross landed on their lap as the 9th pick in the 1994 draft. Montross was one of the best college players in the nation during his four-year career in North Carolina.
But, the NBA was just too overwhelming for the 7-foot big man as he quickly went from being a franchise pillar to a bust almost overnight. After flaming out in the NBA in 2002, Montross embarked on a successful career as a color commentator for Tar Heels Sports Network, covering basketball for 18 years. Sadly, Montross passed away in 2023 at the age of 52 due to cancer.
Bryant Reeves (6th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft)
Nicknamed “The Big Country,” Reeves was a massive human being, standing at 7 foot tall and weighing close to 300 pounds during his time in the NBA. While Reeves was a decent player, he somewhat belongs on this list due to his relatively short NBA career, which only lasted six seasons – all with the Vancouver Grizzlies.
Injuries played a role in his demise, but don’t feel too bad for him. When his NBA career ended in 2001, he went back home to Oklahoma and used his fortunes to buy a massive farm lot to raise cattle and other livestock.
Sam Bowie (2nd overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft)
Bowie gets a ton of flak as one of the most recognizable NBA busts in history. Much of the hate stems from his 1984 draft selection, as the next player who was drafted after him was none other than Michael Jordan. Bowie was a serviceable big in the league but dealt with many injuries during his 11-year career.
While Bowie’s knees certainly did not hang around the rigors of being an NBA player, he found another hobby unrelated to basketball that made him wealthy. After his playing career ended in 1995, Bowie went back to Kentucky and is now involved in harness racing while owning and training horses at the same time.
Danny Ferry (2nd overall pick in the 1989 NBA Draft)
When we talk about all-time Duke greats, Ferry’s name should come up near the top of the list. However, the same can’t be said for his NBA career. Ferry was a 6 foot 10 big who lived and breathed on the perimeter—an anomaly in previous eras, especially in the 1980s and 90s.
When Ferry decided to call it a career in 2003, he was quickly hired by the Spurs to work in their front office. The Spurs’ hiring paved the way for him to become a hot commodity within the NBA circles as either a basketball executive or a general manager of a team. He also worked as a consultant for multiple teams in the past few years.
Jay Williams (2nd overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft)
Another Duke star, Jay Williams, had his NBA career cut short after his rookie season due to a motorcycle accident. This was a shame as he was widely viewed as a franchise pillar for the Bulls post-MJ era.
After multiple attempts at a comeback, Williams finally decided to channel his inner frustrations as a former pro and devote his time to another profession – an NBA analyst. Working for ESPN, Williams previously covered college basketball but eventually worked his way up to become a television analyst for the NBA.
Darko Milicic (2nd overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft)
We certainly feel bad for Darko. The Pistons never really gave him a chance to be successful when they drafted him ahead of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the 2003 NBA Draft. That being said, the bust label hounded him like a wolf preying on a bunny anywhere he went in the NBA.
Whether it’s due to poor play or injuries, Milicic never really found his niche in the league and was out of an NBA job in 2012. The 7-foot Serbian surprised everybody when he embarked on a short-lived kickboxing career in 2014. He now owns and operates a 125-acre apple farm with plans to grow cherries in his native Serbia.
