Ranking the 10 biggest Kansas basketball NBA Draft busts of all-time
player. 211. . PF. Memphis Grizzlies. Drew Gooden. 6
2002 NBA Draft, selected 4th overall
Memphis Grizzlies, 2002-2003
Orlando Magic, 2003-2004
Cleveland Cavaliers, 2004-2008
Chicago Bulls, 2008-2009
Sacramento Kings, 2009
San Antonio Spurs, 2009
Dallas Mavericks, 2009-2010
Los Angeles Clippers, 2010
Milwaukee Bucks, 2010-2013
Washington Wizards, 2013-2016
The highest drafted player on the list thus far, Gooden is another example of someone who did not have the NBA career that a 4th overall pick is expected to. Although it is hard to criticize a player who lasted fourteen seasons in the league and played for ten separate teams, he could not even make it through his rookie season with the Grizzlies without being dealt to another squad.
He is one of KU’s many great big men throughout history. Gooden averaged 19.8 points and 11.4 rebounds as a junior, winning the Big 12 Player of the Year award and leading his team to the Final Four.
Let’s look at Gooden’s stats and one accolade across his career:
- 790 games played
- 11.0 points
- 7.1 rebounds
- 46.2% FG
- 2002-03 All-Rookie First Team
Solid player? Yes. Good enough to be a top-five pick in the NBA Draft? Probably not. Gooden was a journeyman in the NBA and was the most traded person in the league at one point. His inability to maintain a spot on a team is evidence that he was not too desirable of a player during the course of his career.