Undrafted But Not Unwanted: NBA Style

The NBA draft will go two rounds this year. Sixty players will be drafted, and after they are, there will be hundreds of college and international athletes left looking for a job.

When a draft is so short, there is room for mistake. A team could draft two players and have them both be busts. Or, a solid player could go undrafted.

After the draft, teams will begin to hold workouts for the guys who were not picked. Some will get contracts, others will go to Europe. Of those who get contracts, some will become a start for their team.

Here is a look at the top five players currently in the NBA who went undrafted.

5. Udonis Haslem

So I admit to playing favorites with my No. 5 pick here, but getting to watch Haslem play routinely for the Heat has been a pleasure. The guy hustles every time he is on the court, regardless of the score. When you see him play you know he had to fight to get where he is as he does not take even a play for granted. Undrafted and overweight out of the University of Florida he started playing professional ball in Europe before the Heat signed him. So far in his NBA career he is averaging 10.0 points a game and 8.1 rebounds. His career field goal percentage is at 50 percent and there are few players in the game who play their role as well as he does.

4. Bruce Bowen

I was kind of surprised to learn Bowen was undrafted. When I think of defense, Bowen is one of the first names that comes to mind. Defense in the NBA is somewhat of a lost art, but Bowen is still masterful at after 15 seasons. He only averages 6.1 points a game and shoot 40 percent from the field, but his nominations from 2001-2008 to the NBA All-Defensive Team earn him the four spot on this list.

3. Brad Miller

I never really thought much of Miller until I watched his post-season with the Bulls. I knew he was a powerful force as an NBA big man, but I did not know about his long range shot. Miller has averaged 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds a game for his career. Miller has been in the league over 10 years and is still one of the games dominant big men. His play has earned him two All-Star nominations to date.

2. Jose Calderon

Watching this guy play is a sight. After six seasons in Europe he was able to adapt his style of play incredibly to the NBA. Calderon's career stats in the NBA are not all that impressive, but last year he showed us just how good he can be. After winning the job of starting point guard from T.J. Ford, in Toronto, Calderon averaged 12.8 points and 8.9 assists in 2009. In international play Calderon has helped Spain to emerge as a power. Did I mention he owns the NBA free-throw shooting percentage record?

1. Ben Wallace

Shocked he was not drafted? So was I. Wallace is a four-time Defensive Player of the Year which ties him for the record with Dikimbe Mitumbo. He also has been on the All-Defensive team six times. Aside from his defensive skills he has also been on the All NBA Team five times. Wallace has averaged 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals a game for his career.

Hope you enjoyed my top five. I know there are arguments for Marquis Daniels, Raja Bell, and Mike James (the first undrafted player to average 20 points a game over an entire season), but these are who I thought were most deserving.