Every year, only 60 prospects around the world stand a chance to get drafted. As such, numerous players remain undrafted. But there have been those who have climbed the ranks of the league without the NBA draft. One of the greatest undrafted players is a Miami Heat legend. While you might have already guessed the 3x NBA champion’s name, he recently got special recognition from a legendary American rapper.

This happened recently when rapper Rick Ross was asked by Mike Miller to draw parallels between his legacy and that of an NBA player. During the latest episode of the OG’s podcast, the $150 million rich rapper made the comparison between himself and Udonis Haslem. Without giving much thought, Ross mentioned that any undrafted player who had endured the longest in the NBA is someone shares a similar legacy to him.

Rick Ross said, “A player that wasn’t drafted, and now that motherf****r own a team.“ The co-host quickly pointed out his former teammate, Udonis Haslem, who is currently the Vice President of basketball development for the Miami Heat.

The 3x NBA champion appreciated him and emphasized that the rapper had witnessed the hardships the NBA veteran had persevered through. The 2002 NBA draft might not have seen Haslem’s name called, but it only fueled his determination to make it as a professional athlete. 

An underrated force, Udonis Haslem played a crucial role in all three of Miami’s championship victories in 2006, 2012, and 2013. Not just impressive numbers and statistics, the oldest player of the Heat has constantly shown great leadership skills that are essential to the Heat culture.

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He is one of the brightest success stories of the undrafted NBA players. He is not the only one. Another undrafted player who reached the NBA championship is Rockets guard Fred VanVleet. 

Undrafted player Fred VanVleet defied all odds

The Rockford, Illinois native anticipated a first-round selection during the 2016 NBA Draft. However, he was passed over in the first round. Unfazed, he declined second-round offers and challenged himself to get better opportunities as an undrafted talent.

The turning point for VanVleet came when the Raptors added him to their 2016 NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas. After showing out in Nevada, VanVleet earned the trust of the Raptors’ coaching staff. By the 2017-18 season, he had secured a pivotal role with the Toronto Raptors.

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And in poetic fashion, it was during the 2019 NBA Finals that he truly shone. Fred VanVleet played a crucial role in Toronto’s championship triumph.

Becoming a champion saw VanVleet become a highly coveted free agent. In the 2019-20 season, he became a full-time starter, earning a four-year, $85 million contract; the largest for an undrafted free agent in NBA history. Who is your favorite undrafted NBA star? Let us know in the comments section below.