Stephen Curry the greatest player taken in the 2009 NBA draft.
As we all know now, Curry, arguably the greatest shooter the world has ever seen, was selected as the 7th overall pick by the then-lowly Golden State Warriors in the 2009 NBA draft. He went on to become a two-time league MVP, a Finals MVP and won four championships with the Golden State Warriors.
With all the accolades Stephen Curry gathered in his career, he eventually became a global icon that rivals Michael Jordan and LeBron James’s popularity. Truth be told, nobody in the world knew that Curry would be this good as he was often viewed as too small and too skinny for the pros after a stellar career in Davidson.
In today’s list, we will discuss who were the six players drafted before Stephen Curry and where they are now.
6th Overall Pick – Johnny Flynn – Minnesota Timberwolves
How don’t the Wolves take Stephen Curry here? This was a baffling pick for the Wolves as they had just selected another point guard in this draft(with Rubio going at five). While Flynn had a great career at Syracuse, he failed to replicate the success in the NBA.
Although he was included in the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team in 2010, injuries hampered his ability to perform in subsequent years, which would later become his downfall from the top.
Where he is today?
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Considered a bust, Flynn only lasted three years in the NBA. He took his act overseas, playing a year in Australia. But after a two-game stint in Italy in 2014, Flynn officially retired from the game.
5th Overall Pick – Ricky Rubio – Minnesota Timberwolves
Months before the draft, there was a legitimate noise that Rubio could be the best prospect in this class. The Spaniard has played pro ball since he was 14 years old and started for Spain’s national team in their silver medal run during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
After sitting out for two years due to a hefty buyout clause from his former team, FC Barcelona, Rubio finally suited up for the Wolves in 2011. He didn’t become a superstar but he was a starter for most of his career in the NBA.
Where he is today?
After suffering injuries and bouncing around several teams in the league, Rubio has decided to take a break from basketball after the 2022-2023 season ended to focus on his mental health. He decided to retire from the NBA early in 2024. However, Rubio somewhat surprised everybody when he decided to sign with FC Barcelona for the rest of the season barely a month after deciding to quit the NBA.
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4th Overall Pick – Tyreke Evans – Sacramento Kings
It was actually Evans who took home the Rookie of the Year award in this draft. The 6’6” guard from Memphis averaged 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists for the season. Everybody thought he’d be the next big thing in the league, but his stardom never arrived.
After bouncing from a few teams in the 2010s, he was banned from the league for violating the terms of its Anti-Drug Program in 2019.
Where he is today?
After almost three years away from the NBA, Evans successfully appealed for his reinstatement but failed to convince any team to sign him in 2022. He had an unforgettable seven-day stint in the G-league and decided to continue his career in Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto in Venezuela in 2023.
3rd Overall Pick – James Harden – Oklahoma City Thunder
Harden’s rise to the top wasn’t witnessed by OKC as he was dealt to the Rockets in 2012. It was a dilemma between keeping power forward Serge Ibaka or Harden, and the latter got the boot. With Houston, Harden became one of the best scorers the league has ever seen and went on to win the regular season MVP award in 2018.
He is a ten-time All-Star and six-time member of All-NBA teams. In addition, Harden was the league’s scoring champion for three successive years during his time with the Rockets.
Where he is today?
After his time with Houston, he was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets. Harden’s stint there didn’t last more than a season and he was on the move again, this time with Philadelphia. He wasn’t the scoring machine he was once was, but still pretty good by NBA standards. However, Harden asked for a trade again and was eventually dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers at the start of the 2023-2024 season.
2nd Overall Pick – Hasheem Thabeet – Memphis Grizzlies
The Tanzania-born Thabeet enjoyed a stellar career at UConn and was a renowned defensive monster in the college ranks. Desperately needing a man in the middle, Memphis was quickly enamored by Thabeet’s abilities and grabbed him the second he was available in the 2009 NBA draft.
But Thabeet’s success in college was never replicated in the NBA. During his rookie season, he was assigned to the G-league to hone his game and the move was seen as a huge red flag among NBA circles.
Where he is today?
The 7’3” big man became one of the biggest busts in NBA history and only lasted five years in the NBA. He has since carved a nice career in Asia – particularly in Taiwan – but decided to go home and play for Pazi in the Basketball Africa League in 2023.
1st Overall Pick – Blake Griffin – Los Angeles Clippers
Back in 2009, nobody questioned Griffin’s status as the obvious selection for the top spot in the draft. Blake was named the National College Player of the Year in 2009 after a couple of great seasons with Oklahoma.
Unfortunately, Griffin sat out what is supposedly his rookie season due to an injury. But when he came back in 2010, Griffin gave life to the lowly Clippers and instantly became a huge draw for the team with his electrifying dunks and stellar play. He went on to become a six-time All-Star and a three-time member of All-NBA teams.
Where he is today?
Sadly, after a decade of highlight reels, Griffin suffered numerous injuries along the way and bounced around the league recently due to his depreciating athleticism. After mostly riding Boston’s bench last season, Blake was not signed during the 2023-2024 season and is currently a free agent.
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