The NBA Draft is an event filled with hope and potential, where teams and fans alike dream of landing the next superstar.
However, not all #1 NBA draft picks lives up to the huge hype that comes with their potential.
Biggest NBA Draft Busts
Here, we examine five of the biggest busts in NBA Draft history, delving into their career stats and a brief outline of their careers.
1. Sam Bowie (2nd Overall, 1984)
- Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Lakers
- Career Stats: 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists per game
Sam Bowie is often remembered more for who was picked after him than for his own career. Drafted second overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1984, Bowie was selected ahead of Michael Jordan, a decision that has haunted the franchise.
Injuries plagued Bowie throughout his career, limiting his potential. Despite showing flashes of talent, including a career-high average of 14.7 points per game with the New Jersey Nets, Bowie’s time in the NBA is largely seen as a missed opportunity for Portland.
Perhaps an unfair number 1 given his talent and horrible run with injuries. Just unlucky to be picked ahead of the greated basketballer of all-time.
2. Michael Olowokandi (1st Overall, 1998)
- Teams: Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics
- Career Stats: 8.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks per game
Selected first overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1998 NBA Draft, Michael Olowokandi, also known as “The Kandi Man,” failed to live up to his top-pick billing.
His best season came in 2002-03 when he averaged 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. However lack of development, and injuries ruined his career.
Olowokandi played for the Clippers, Timberwolves, and Celtics but never became the dominant center many expected.
3. Kwame Brown (1st Overall, 2001)
- Teams: Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Bobcats, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers
- Career Stats: 6.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists per game
Kwame Brown made history as the first high school player to be drafted first overall when the Washington Wizards selected him in 2001. Despite his physical gifts, Brown struggled with the mental and emotional aspects of the game.
His career was marked by inconsistent play and off-court issues. Over 12 seasons, Brown played for seven different teams but never averaged more than 10.9 points per game, which he achieved in the 2003-04 season with the Wizards.
Many would say that being paired with the greatest player of all-time, and also possibly the most critical teammate of all time in Michael Jordan might have ruined his confidence straight out of the gate.
4. Darko Miličić (2nd Overall, 2003)
- Teams: Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics
- Career Stats: 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.9 blocks per game
Darko Miličić was selected second overall by the Detroit Pistons in the famed 2003 NBA Draft, ahead of future stars like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Darko struggled to find his place in the NBA, often finding himself on the bench during his time with the Pistons.
Despite winning an NBA Championship in 2004, his contribution was minimal. Over a 10-year career, Darko never averaged double figures in points, with his best season being 2009-10 when he averaged 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game with the Timberwolves.
Nicknamed the “Human Victory Cigar”, Milicic usually only entered the game when coach Brown was certain that the Pistons had the game signed, sealed and deliverd.
5. Adam Morrison (3rd Overall, 2006)
- Teams: Charlotte Bobcats, Los Angeles Lakers
- Career Stats: 7.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists per game
Adam Morrison was a college sensation at Gonzaga, leading the nation in scoring and earning a reputation as a clutch performer.
Drafted third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2006, Morrison was expected to bring his scoring prowess to the NBA. 
However, injuries and inconsistency quickly derailed his career. After two unremarkable seasons with the Bobcats, where his highest scoring average was 11.8 points per game as a rookie, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Morrison won two NBA Championships with the Lakers but played a minimal role on those teams, often finding himself on the bench.
The Biggest NBA Busts – Sometimes the stats don’t tell the true story…
The stories of Sam Bowie, Michael Olowokandi, Kwame Brown, Darko Miličić, and Adam Morrison serve as cautionary tales about the unpredictability of the NBA Draft.
Each player entered the league with high expectations but ultimately fell short for various reasons, whether it be injuries, or the pressure of living up to their draft status.
While their careers may not have lived up to the hype, they each left a lasting impact on the teams that selected them and the history of the NBA Draft.
