10 NBA Draft Picks Who Missed Entire Rookie Seasons

Several prominent NBA draft picks have missed their entire rookie campaigns due to severe injuries, military obligations, or other commitments. Notable examples include former top picks Greg Oden, Ben Simmons, and Blake Griffin, as well as second overall pick Chet Holmgren and third pick Joel Embiid, all of whom were sidelined by injuries before making their delayed professional debuts.

Other listed players faced different pathways to the court. Hall of Famer David Robinson completed two years of military service before joining the San Antonio Spurs, Larry Bird finished his college degree at Indiana State, and Richard Dumas served a substance abuse suspension before playing in the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns.