The 2011 NBA draft was filled with incredible talent between the likes of Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Tobias Harris and more. It’s hard to believe that there were 14 players taken before Kawhi Leonard.
Today we will break down where those 14 players are now!
#14 Marcus Morris
Marcus Morris was taken with the 14th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. Marcus, the brother of Markieff has had a similar career path, he never really lived up to expectations however he’s been a solid role player throughout his career. Today Morris plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers and also seems to be headed towards retirement sooner than later.
#13 Markieff Morris
Markieff Morris was selected with the 13th pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. Morris definitely didn’t perform as well as expected however he has gone on to have a pretty solid NBA career. Morris has played for 8 NBA teams over his 13-year NBA career and has been a solid role player along the way. Today Morris plays for the Dallas Mavericks and looks as if he’s headed for retirement sooner than later.
#12 Alec Burks
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Alec Burks was taken with the 12th pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. Although Burks never lived up to the hype he has become a solid role player in the NBA, playing for 7 different teams throughout his career. Today Burks is a member of the New York Knicks and is looking to win his first NBA Championship.
#11 Klay Thomson
Klay Thomson was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 11th pick in the 2011 NBA draft. Klay quickly became an elite shooter alongside Stephen Curry and helped create the Warriors dynasty being nicknamed “The Splash Bros” Curry and Klay ran the league winning 4 NBA championships. Although Klay is struggling late in his career it’s safe to say that he was one of the best picks from the 2011 draft and easily one of the most successful if not the most.
#10 Jimmer Fredette
Jimmer Fredette was selected 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2011 NBA Draft. Fredette had one of the best seasons of college basketball anyone has ever seen in his senior season at BYU, however, that didn’t exactly translate over very well to the NBA where Jimmer heavily struggled. Fredette played for 4 NBA teams over 5 seasons and never got many minutes before most recently playing for the Shanghai Sharks of the CBA. Now Jimmer plays 3×3 basketball with hopes to make the 2024 Olympics.
#9 Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker was selected 9th overall by the Charlotte Bobcats (Hornets) in 2011, he went on to be one of the best players in the NBA for a while. Walker played for Charlotte from 2011 to 2019 before heading to Boston and playing for the Celtics for a couple of seasons before again being moved and having brief stints with the Knicks and Mavericks. Kemba is considered one of the best point guards of this generation and a great pick at number 9. Now Walker is playing overseas with the AS Monaco Basket and looking to retire sooner rather than later to enjoy family life.
#8 Brandon Knight
Brandon Knight was drafted 8th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. Knight didn’t live up to the hype and was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks just 2 seasons later before again being traded to the Phoenix Suns just over a year later. Knight was a mediocre NBA player that many consider one of the biggest busts from the class and bounced around 7 teams in the span of his 11-year NBA career that ended in 2022. Today Knight plays overseas for the AEK Athens and plans to continue that career path.
#7 Bismack Biyombo
Bismack Biyombo was drafted 7th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings and was quickly traded to the Charlotte Hornets before even playing a game. Biyombo is one of the more disappointing players from the draft class but has had a decent NBA career bouncing around between 6 different teams. Biyombo currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder and is planning on retirement soon.
#6 Jan Vesely
Jan Vesely was drafted 6th overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2011 NBA Draft, Vesely surrounded by top prospects just never panned out in the NBA averaging 3.6 PPG before leaving the NBA and joining the EuroLeague. Vesely has had a very successful EuroLeague career including being a 3- time EuroLeague first-team selection. He has since continued to play in the EuroLeague as one of the best players and looks to continue dominance overseas.
#5 Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valancuinas was drafted 5th overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2011 NBA Draft. Throughout his time in Toronto, he was a very solid player averaging at least 10 PPG and 8 REB every year from 2013 to 2019 when he was then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and became an even better player. Following his Grizzlies career he was traded in the 2021 offseason to the Pelicans where he has played a key role at the center position. Valanciunas is currently still playing for the Pelicans and overall has had a very successful career earning over $135 million in the NBA.
#4 Tristan Thompson
Tristan Thompson was drafted 4th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers and went on to be much like Freedom, just being a solid role player for multiple teams over his career. Today, Thompson is playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and looks to retire sooner rather than later.
#3 Enes (Kanter) Freedom
Enes Freedom was the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, Freedom was a solid role player during his NBA career for 5 different teams. Interestingly enough, he also had a very short stint in professional wrestling. Enes Freedom last played for the Celtics in 2022 and has since retired from NBA basketball and enjoys life with his family.
#2 Derrick Williams
Derrick Williams was drafted 2nd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and spent 2 and a half seasons there before being dealt to the Sacramento Kings. Following 2 seasons there he signed with the New York Knicks in 2015 and then the Miami Heat in 2016 before finishing his NBA career with the Cavs. Williams signed in China for the 2017-18 season and has played overseas since 2018.
#1 Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving was the first player taken before Kawhi Leonard and he turned out to be one of the best NBA players in modern NBA history, winning an NBA championship alongside Lebron in 2016 along with 8 all-star appearances, Irving is also a 3-time member of the All-NBA teams throughout his unbelievable career. Irving is now a member of the Dallas Mavericks looking to win another championship.
