Chris Washburn
Chris Washburn is considered one of the worst NBA players due to several critical factors: he was selected third overall in the 1986 NBA draft, but played only 72 games over two seasons, averaging just 3.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game—numbers far below expectations for such a high draft pick.
His brief career was plagued by poor effort, lack of development, health issues, and multiple drug problems, including three failed drug tests that led to a lifetime NBA ban. Washburn showed little improvement and was often criticized for his attitude and lack of commitment; experts and media consistently rank him among the biggest draft busts in NBA history.
Michael Ruffin
Michael Ruffin is often listed among the worst NBA players due to his extremely limited offensive skills and poor statistical output despite a lengthy nine-year career.
Ruffin averaged just 1.7 points per game, with a 41% field goal percentage and just two seasons scoring over 2 points per game.
As a power forward/center, he offered little on offense, once posting an offensive rating as low as 71, one of the worst ever recorded.
Ruffin became infamous for a 2007 late-game blooper that cost his team a win, highlighting both his limited skill and questionable basketball decision-making.
He contributed mainly defensive effort and rebounding but is still remembered as a symbol of poor NBA offense.
Kwame Brown
Kwame Brown, selected first overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards, is frequently labeled as one of the NBA’s most disappointing draft picks. Across a 12-year career spanning 607 games and seven teams, including the Wizards, Lakers, and Sixers.
Brown averaged 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Despite his physical attributes and draft pedigree, Brown rarely met expectations as a franchise cornerstone and often struggled with consistency, becoming synonymous with the term “draft bust”.
While he contributed defensively and had sporadic, productive seasons, his lack of development and underwhelming progression cemented his legacy among players with the worst reputations in NBA history.
Anthony Bennett
Anthony Bennett, the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, is widely regarded as one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history.
Over four seasons and four teams, he averaged just4.4 points and3.1 rebounds per game, failing to meet expectations as a franchise cornerstone.
Bennett struggled with consistency, conditioning, and confidence, never establishing himself as a reliable NBA rotation player.
His underwhelming career progression and lack of impact solidified his reputation as the NBA player with one of the worst records for a top draft pick.
Rafael Araujo
Rafael Araujo, selected eighth overall by the Toronto Raptors in2004, is often cited as one of the NBA’s least impactful lottery picks.
Over three seasons and 139 games, Araujo averaged just2.8 points and2.8 rebounds, struggling to contribute beyond limited minutes.
Despite his size and draft pedigree, he failed to develop into a reliable rotation player, posting poor efficiency and minimal defensive impact.
His underwhelming career and lack of progression solidified his reputation as an NBA player with one of the worst records for a high draft pick.
Greg Oden
Greg Oden, selected first overall in the2007 NBA Draft ahead of Kevin Durant, is regarded as one of the most injury-plagued players in NBA history, often labeled the league’s biggest draft bust.
Over seven seasons, Oden played just105 games due to repeated knee surgeries, averaging 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.
His career was defined by unfulfilled potential and missed opportunities, as injuries prevented him from becoming a franchise cornerstone.
Despite flashes of dominance when healthy, his record is among the worst for a top draft pick, symbolizing how injuries can derail even the most promising NBA careers.
Darko Milicic
Darko Milicic, selected second overall in the2003 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, is frequently labeled one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history.
Over 10 seasons and 468 games with six teams, Milicic averaged just 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, failing to meet expectations as a franchise center.
Despite flashes of potential, he never developed into a consistent NBA contributor, often serving as a backup or bench player.
His underwhelming career progression and lack of impact solidified his reputation as an NBA player with one of the worst records for a top draft pick.
Adam Morrison
Adam Morrison, selected third overall in the2006 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats, is often cited as a draft bust due to his underwhelming NBA career.
Over three seasons and161 games, Morrison averaged7.5 points and2.1 rebounds per game, struggling with efficiency and defense.
Despite flashes of scoring ability, he failed to develop into a consistent rotation player and was rarely a reliable contributor.
Morrison’s career is marked by limited impact and unmet expectations, solidifying his reputation as one of the NBA’s most disappointing high draft picks.
Michael Olowokandi
Michael Olowokandi, selected first overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, is widely regarded as one of the league’s most disappointing top picks.
Over nine seasons and 500 games, he averaged 8.3 points and 6.8 rebounds, failing to develop into a franchise cornerstone or dominant center.
Despite his size and athleticism, Olowokandi struggled with consistency, efficiency, and impact, never becoming an All-Star or elite defender.
His underwhelming career and lack of progression solidified his reputation as an NBA player with one of the worst records for a first overall selection.
Sun Yue
Sun Yue, selected 40th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2007 NBA Draft, is considered one of the least impactful international picks in NBA history.
Over his NBA career, he played only 10 games, averaging 0.6 points,0.2 assists, and 0.1 steals per game, with minimal defensive or offensive contribution.
Despite being a key player in China’s national team and the CBA, Sun struggled to adapt to the NBA’s pace and physicality, rarely seeing court time.
His brief, underwhelming stint solidified his reputation as an NBA player with one of the worst records among draft picks.