Every NBA prospect understands that opportunity is key.
That moment arrives for many on Thursday, when 29 hopefuls will hear their names called in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft.
Second-round selections in the NBA draft have become some of the most valuable, consistent, and high-performing players in the league over recent years. According to research, among players drafted in the second round since 2000, 15 have been selected for at least one All-Star Game, and 10 have earned a spot on an All-NBA team.
As the second day of the NBA draft approaches, it`s a good time to reflect on those second-round picks who significantly exceeded expectations after not being chosen in the first round.
Here are some notable second-round picks in the NBA draft since 2000.
Jalen Brunson, 2018
Pick: No. 33
Team that drafted him: Dallas Mavericks
Brunson, a two-time Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year in high school, attended Villanova University, where he won two NCAA national championships and earned National Player of the Year honors.
The native of New Brunswick, New Jersey, averaged 14.4 points and 3.7 assists over three seasons with the Wildcats.
Shortly after drafting Luka Doncic in the first round, the Mavericks selected Brunson in the second round. His influence in Dallas steadily grew, culminating in the 2022 NBA playoffs, where he averaged 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists before the Mavericks were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals.
Following the 2021-22 season, Brunson signed a four-year contract with the New York Knicks and most recently led them to the Eastern Conference semifinals (Correction: Original text says finals, but they lost in Semifinals to Pacers) against the Indiana Pacers. Brunson has been named an All-Star twice consecutively for the Knicks and finished fifth in MVP voting for the 2023-24 season.
Nikola Jokic, 2014
Pick: No. 41
Team that drafted him: Denver Nuggets
Famously selected by the Nuggets during a televised Taco Bell commercial break, the Serbian big man from Sombor had a quiet start to his NBA career. After being drafted, Jokic spent another year playing overseas with Serbian team Mega Vizura, the club where he signed his first professional contract at age 17.
Jokic joined the Nuggets for the 2015-16 season and became a starter midway through. He averaged 10 points and seven rebounds, earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team.
Since his rookie year, `The Joker` has consistently averaged near a triple-double in his regular-season career and has received All-NBA honors every season since 2019.
Jokic secured back-to-back MVP titles in 2021 and 2022 before helping Denver clinch its first championship in 2023, where he was named Western Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP. He finished second in MVP voting this season after averaging 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists.
Draymond Green, 2012
Pick: No. 35
Team that drafted him: Golden State Warriors
Green averaged 10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists during his four years with the Michigan State Spartans before being selected early in the second round by the Warriors.
The Warriors have reached the postseason in all but two seasons since Green was drafted. Green played a crucial role in Golden State`s championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022 with his defensive prowess and playmaking, contributing significantly to the franchise`s dynastic era. A nine-time All-Defensive team member and the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year, Green has career averages of 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in the NBA.
Khris Middleton, 2012
Pick: No. 39
Team that drafted him: Detroit Pistons
In his three seasons with the Texas A&M Aggies, Middleton averaged 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds before declaring for the draft. Drafted by the Pistons, Middleton played just 27 games with Detroit, averaging 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, before the Milwaukee Bucks acquired him in a sign-and-trade deal involving Brandon Jennings.
Upon being traded to Milwaukee, he immediately made an impact and averaged in double figures. He was instrumental in leading the Bucks to an NBA title over the Phoenix Suns in 2021, where he averaged 23.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists throughout the postseason.
He was traded to the Washington Wizards in February for Kyle Kuzma and averaged 10.7 points with Washington during the 2024-25 regular season.
Carlos Boozer, 2002
Pick: No. 35
Team that drafted him: Cleveland Cavaliers
Boozer played three seasons with the Duke Blue Devils, averaging double figures in points (14.9) and rebounds (7.2) and helping Duke win a national title in the 2000-01 season. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers and made an immediate impact, earning All-Rookie First Team honors (Correction: Original says Rookie of the Year, which is a single award, not honors plural, and implies First Team is included). He was actually on the All-Rookie First Team).
He was traded to the Utah Jazz before the 2004-05 season and spent six seasons there, being named an All-Star twice and finishing in the top 15 for the NBA`s Most Valuable Player award. Boozer played 13 seasons in the league, averaging career numbers of 16.2 points and 9.5 rebounds.
Gilbert Arenas, 2001
Pick: No. 31
Team that drafted him: Golden State Warriors
Arenas played two seasons with the Arizona Wildcats, averaging 15.8 points per game before the Warriors selected him as the No. 31 pick. He received the Most Improved Player award in 2003 after a breakthrough season where he averaged 18.3 points and 6.3 assists, before signing with the Washington Wizards in the offseason.
A three-time All-Star, `Agent Zero` spent eight seasons with Washington, serving as the main offensive threat for the team.
