NBA Power Rankings: Evan Turner and the 25 Most Disappointing Rookie Seasons

Throughout the NBA's long history, there have been many rookies who have both surprised and disappointed.

When you think of a surprise, you think Manu Ginobili, a guy who has produced a borderline Hall of Fame career with the hardware to show for it.

When you think disappoint, a streaming image of Darko Milicic might come into your mind.

Regardless, all NBA players have to start somewhere, whether it be up or down.

Here is a list of 25 of those players whose careers didn't get off on the right foot, and they ultimately disappointed.

Feel free to give me constructive feedback or suggestions since this topic required extraordinary research.

25. Kent Benson

Kent Benson was the number one overall pick of the 1977 NBA Draft.

He would never live up to his full potential, and it all started out with the way he played in his rookie season, when he averaged seven points and four rebounds.

To add injury to insult, Benson was punched in the face by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in just his second professional game.

24. Evan Turner

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Evan Turner #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a jumper against the New Orleans Hornets at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl

Evan Turner was selected second overall in last year's draft.

The 6'7 shooting guard, however, had a dismal rookie campaign, averaging just seven points while playing 24 minutes.

More recently, he missed a bunny that would've tied Game Five of the Sixers playoff series with the Heat with a minute to go.

23. Marvin Williams

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DENVER - DECEMBER 6: Marvin Williams #24 of the Atlanta Hawks chases the ball after the Denver Nuggets lost control of it in the second quarter on December 6, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a

On draft day 2005, the Atlanta Hawks were set to grab a point guard. After all, they needed one.

Instead they picked Marvin Williams, who would go on to average 8.7 points per game in 78 games, which isn't terrible but when you think of who they passed up it's fairly disappointing.

Oh yeah, and Chris Paul was picked after Marvin.

22. Shaun Livingston

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 17: Shaun Livingston #14 of the Los Angeles Clippers rests on the court during the game against the Houston Rockets at the Staples Center on December 17, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. The Clippers defeated the Rockets 89-81.

Shaun Livingston was supposed to revolutionize the way the point guard game was played.

He was 6'7, and was destined to be the first effective tall point guard since Magic Johnson.

Instead, he averaged a disappointing seven points and five assists in almost 28 minutes per game. Those are not exactly flattering numbers for a fourth overall pick.

21. Michael Olowokandi

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27 Oct 1999: Michael Olowokandi #34 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribbles the ball during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Bucks defeated the Clippers 109-96. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

Michael Olowokandi, who came out of Pacific, was the first pick of the 1998 draft.

His first season was filled with injury and doubt, as he averaged just eight points in 29 minutes of play. That's the equivalent of putting up just under 15 in 48 minutes.

Sadly, it would be one of "The Kandi Man"'s best seasons.

20. Trajan Langdon

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15 Jan 2001: Trajan Langdon #21 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards his player during the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Arena in Oakland in Oakland, California. The Cavaliers defeated the Warriors 107-101. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly u

It is hard to put this selection in permanent ink because Langdon only played 10 games, but the "Alaskan Assassin" put up just 4.9 points during those contests.

It must be that Duke gene.

19. J.J. Redick

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ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 28: J.J. Redick #7 of the Orlando Magic tries to drive past Flip Murray #6 of the Detroit Pistons in the first half in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2007 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 28, 2007 in

One of the greatest college basketball players of all-time, J.J. Redick is a prime example of somebody whose talents don't exactly translate well from the collegiate level to the professional ranks.

In his rookie season, 2006-07, Redick averaged just six points in 15 minutes of play.

18. Robert Traylor

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23 Feb 1999: Robert Traylor #54 of the Milwaukee Bucks in action during the game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bucks defeated the Bulls 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

At 6'8 and 284 pounds, Robert Traylor was an absolute mammoth of a man. 

He was selected sixth overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1998 draft, who then promptly exchanged him for Dirk Nowitzki.

He averaged just five points in 16 minutes as a rookie.

17. Shelden Williams

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LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 8: Sheldon Williams #33 of the Atlanta Hawks walks upcourt during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 8, 2006 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Shelden Williams is yet another example of an overhyped Duke Blue Devil who didn't get off on the right foot.

Williams, a 6'9 forward/center, put up just 5.5 points and 5.4 boards on average during his freshman campaign.

16. Pervis Ellison

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1993: Center Pervis Ellison of the Washington Bullets stands on the court during a game against the Denver Nuggets at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco /Allsport

The number one pick in 1988, "Never Nervous Pervis" Ellison is known as one of the NBA's biggest busts ever.

It all started out in that rookie season, where injury kept him out for 48 games, and even when he did play he only averaged seven or so points.

Alas, he would return the following season and win the Comeback Player of the Year award.

15. Kwame Brown

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WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 31: Kwame Brown #5 of the Washington Wizards is defended by Antoine Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics during the game at MCI Center on October 31, 2002 in Washington, D.C. The Wizards won 114-69. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Kwame Brown is a name that is snickered upon when mentioning in NBA roundtables.

Poor Kwame was the number one overall pick, and in his rookie season he averaged 4.5 points in over 14 minutes of play.

Well, at least he got to play with his Airness.

14. Mateen Cleaves

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1 Nov 2000: Mateen Cleaves #24 of the Detroit Pistons races down the court against the Boston Celtics at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 103-83. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/ALLSPORT NOTE TO USER: It is expressly u

Mateen Cleaves was the hero of the 2000 Michigan State Spartans basketball team that captured the hearts of many viewers by winning the national championship.

His NBA career, though, is forgettable at best and it starts with how he performed as a Piston.

During the 2000-01 season, Cleaves shot just 40 percent and averaged just over five points per game.

It's hard to believe, but that was his best season— by far.

13. Tyson Chandler

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11 Dec 2001: Portrait of forward Tyson Chandler #3 of the Chicago Bulls during the NBA game against the New Jersey Nets at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Nets defeated the Bulls 107-93. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Tyson Chandler, the second pick of the 2001 NBA Draft, was, along with Eddy Curry, supposed to breakout and help the Bulls return to relevancy.

His rookie season, however, was filled with inconsistency, and the 7'1" Chandler averaged just six points and five boards per game.

Nonetheless, Chandler is now one of the game's biggest defensive intimidators.

12. Ed O'Bannon

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17 Nov 1995: Forward Ed O''Bannon of the New Jersey Nets looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game, 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Ed O'Bannon is another example of a guy who was pegged to become much greater than he actually was.

After he averaged six points per game in 20 minutes his rookie season, judgments were made and everyone had to stop and reevaluate  the 6'8 big.

11. Wayne Simien

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DENVER - DECEMBER 3: Kenyon Martin #6 of the Denver Nuggets and Wayne Simien #25 of the Miami Heat compete for a rebound in the second half December 3, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets won 101-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

A standout college star at the University of Kansas, Wayne Simien was taken by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft.

He averaged just 3.4 points per game for Miami that season, one that saw the team win the NBA Finals.

10. LaRue Martin

When he was drafted out of Loyola with the first pick of the 1972 draft, LaRue Martin was supposed to be one of the game's next great centers.

He did not get off on the right foot, averaging a paltry 4.4 points and shooting 39 percent, an absolutely pathetic clip for a center.

9. Stromile Swift

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17 Jan 2001: Stromile Swift #4 of the Vancouver Grizzlies makes a layup during the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Grizzlies 121-97. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the on

Stromile Swift, the second overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft and out of LSU, was a guy who the Grizzlies were ready to hand the keys to the franchise to.

Swift wouldn't accept them though, and although he played in a decent portion of 80 games he only put up 4.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

8. Luke Jackson

Luke Jackson is another good example of a guy who was totally overhyped in college.

In his rookie season, he averaged just 2.9 points in 10 games.

7. Austin Croshere

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31 Oct 2000: Head Coach Isiah Thomas of the Indiana Pacers talks to Austin Croshere #44 on the sidelines during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Pacers 98-85. NOTE TO USER: It is exp

A 6'10 forward, Austin Croshere was selected 11th by the Indiana Pacers.

In his first of nine seasons with the club, Croshere averaged a 2.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game before getting benched.

6. Jerome Lane

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Forward Jerome Lane of the Denver Nuggets moves the ball during a game at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado.

Jerome Lane was an absolute beast at Pitt, and he was picked in the first round by the Nuggets.

In his rookie season he disappointed, averaging just 4.8 points and 3.7 rebound, much different than the guy who put up 13 and 12 in college.

Here's a fun fact: Lane went to St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. Do you know anyone else who went there?

5. Chris Washburn

The third pick of the 1986 draft, Chris Washburn is a supreme example of a guy who threw everything he had away for drugs.

He was as big a headcase as anyone, and in his rookie season he averaged 3.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and shot 39 percent from the floor.

Don't do drugs, kids.

4. Hasheem Thabeet

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 25: Hasheem Thabeet #34 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 25, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 126-111. NOTE TO US

Hasheem Thabeet, the second overall pick of the 2008 draft, didn't exactly turn out the way everyone thought he would in his rookie season.

He averaged a terrible 3.1 points and a solid 1.3 blocks in 13 minutes per game for the Grizzlies.

3. Darko Milicic

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 21: Darko Milicic #31 of the Detroit Pistons is on the court during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at The Palace of Auburn Hills on November 21, 2004 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Pistons won 117-116. NOTE TO USER:

Coming out in the summer of 2003, Darko Milicic was supposed to be the NBA's next great big.

His rookie season produced moans and groans, and Darko scored a grant (and pathetic) total of 48 points in 34 games.

The reason Darko is so low on this list deals with the fact that he won the NBA title, and even if he wasn't a main catalyst the truth is that a ring dominates individual success any day.

2. Jonathan Bender

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3 Dec 2000: Johnathan Bender #24 of the Indiana Pacers is ready on the court during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks defeated the Pacers 92-80. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that

Jonathan Bender was picked fifth on the night of the 1999 NBA Draft by the Raptors, only to see his rights shipped to the Pacers.

It was there that he "enjoyed" a dismal rookie campaign, averaging just 2.7 points and shooting a pathetic 32.9 percent in just 24 contests.

1. Nikoloz Tskitishvili

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DENVER - DECEMBER 18: Nikoloz Tskitishvili #22 of the Denver Nuggets is defended by Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks during the game at Pepsi Center on December 18, 2002 in Denver, Colorado. The Mavs won 80-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

Coming out of Italy as a raw 19-year-old big, Nikoloz Tskitishvili's game was just about as confusing as the spelling of his name.

He played 81 games his rookie season, 2002-03, for the Denver Nuggets and blew the minds of fans by shooting just 29.6 percent and averaging an embarrassing 3.9 points per game.

Unfortunately for Tskitishvili, that would be his— gulp— best season ever.