Curated playlist
Point guards
- Luka DončićAt seven, Luka Dončić played basketball against boys up to ten years old.
- Jerry WestThe NBA logo is a silhouette of Jerry West, and he was never paid for it.
- Stephen CurryVirginia Tech offered Stephen Curry only a walk-on spot. He later became the NBA's all-time three-point leader.
- Isiah ThomasIsiah Thomas scored 25 points in one Finals quarter on a badly sprained ankle. It was a 1988 NBA Finals record.
- Leandro BarbosaLeandro Barbosa won a Sixth Man of the Year Award without starting most nights.
- Denzel WashingtonIn 2025, on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the actor Denzel Washington said that the emphasis in his first name belongs on the first syllable. His mother had moved it to the second syllable so that young Denzel would answer to her call and not his…
- Tony ParkerTony Parker was nearly sent home from a Spurs camp after 10 minutes. A highlight tape won him a second chance.
- Magic JohnsonMagic Johnson told the world he had HIV from the free throw line in 1991. He was 32 and a five-time NBA champion.
- Kyrie IrvingKyrie Irving was born in Australia to two American parents. His father had followed basketball there.
- John StocktonJazz fans greeted John Stockton's 1984 draft pick with stunned silence.
- Bob CousyBob Cousy broke his right hand falling out of a tree, and it helped make him ambidextrous.
- Steve NashIn grade eight, Steve Nash told his mother he would become an NBA star.
- Chauncey BillupsChauncey Billups went from a draft bust to NBA Finals MVP. The Pistons guard led a 2004 upset of the Lakers.
- Terry RozierTerry Rozier's first NBA start was a triple-double. He had 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
- Walt FrazierWalt Frazier had 36 points and 19 assists in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. Willis Reed played two minutes.
- Becky HammonBecky Hammon went to Spurs practices on a knee injury and left as a coach.
- Ben SimmonsBen Simmons went first overall in the 2016 NBA draft without ever playing in the NCAA tournament.
- Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderShai Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted by Charlotte and traded the same night. He never played a game for the Hornets.
- Wat MisakaWat Misaka played for the New York Knicks in 1947, then quit basketball to become an engineer.
- Damon JonesDamon Jones hit an overtime shot in 2006 that won Cleveland a playoff series.