Derrick Rose, Dražen Petrović, Arvydas Sabonis... The greatest "What if" in NBA history

In the world of the NBA, there are stories that never materialized due to injuries or tragedies, and some of these are among the saddest "what could have been" in sports. Here, we remember some of the talents whose potential was cut short, leaving an indelible mark on the history of basketball.

Yao Ming

Yao Ming, chosen as the first pick in the 2002 draft, had a promising career in the NBA with averages of 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 486 games, standing out for his skills in the low post and shooting touch. However, his career was derailed by injuries, especially foot problems, which caused him to miss many seasons and prematurely end his career, playing only five games after the age of 28. Despite his success in the NBA, the amount of international tournaments with the Chinese national team during the offseason also affected his durability, making him one of the biggest "what could have been" of the 2000s.

Ben Wilson

Ben Wilson, one of the top prospects in college basketball in the 80s, was murdered in Chicago before being able to play his final high school year. In his previous season, he led his team, Simeon High School, to a state championship and was considered one of the best prospects in the United States. His tragic death, just days before starting his senior season, left the city of Chicago and the basketball world with a profound sense of loss as many believed he could have been an NBA star, a tragedy documented in the acclaimed film Benji.

Reggie Lewis

Reggie Lewis, a cornerstone of the early 90s Celtics, was a talented guard who averaged 20.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in his prime. His career was tragically cut short when, during a 1993 playoff game, he collapsed on the court due to a heart condition, which ultimately cost him his life a couple of months later. Lewis, who had been an All-Star selection and was considered one of the rising stars of the NBA, left a void in the Celtics as many believed he could have led the team in the post-Larry Bird era, possibly becoming a Hall of Famer.

Oscar Schmidt

Oscar Schmidt, known as the "King of the Ball" in Brazil, was one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history, although he never played in the NBA. Schmidt, who refused to join the NBA to continue representing his country in international competitions, led Brazil to several important victories, including a historic win over the United States at the 1987 Pan American Games. Despite his incredible talent and offensive skills, Schmidt stayed out of the American league due to his commitment to his national team, leaving many wondering what he could have achieved in the NBA if he had taken a different path.

Bernard King

Bernard King, one of the standout figures of the New York Knicks in the 80s, was an explosive scorer who averaged 32.9 points per game in the 1984-85 season. However, his career was derailed by a severe knee injury that kept him away from competitive basketball for over a year. Despite his comeback with the Washington Bullets and subsequent Hall of Fame induction, many wonder what his legacy would have been if he hadn't suffered those injuries, as King was at his peak when he was forced to halt his career.

Greg Oden

Greg Oden, considered one of the greatest prospects of his generation after a standout college season with Ohio State, was selected as the first pick in the 2007 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, knee injuries, which had been a problem during his college career, continued to affect his performance in the NBA. Despite having impressive talent, Oden only played a total of 82 games during his professional career and never reached the expected level, becoming one of the great "what could have been" stories in the NBA.

Bill Walton

Bill Walton, one of the towering figures in college basketball with his UCLA legacy, seemed destined to be an NBA superstar when he was chosen as the first pick in the 1974 draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. However, injuries, particularly in his feet, marked his career and limited his potential. Despite winning an MVP and a championship with the Blazers, Walton struggled with injuries for most of his career, preventing him from reaching his full potential, although his skill and personality made him a memorable and successful player in the NBA.

Ralph Sampson

Sampson was a monumental promise in the 80s, with an innovative style of play for his 7 feet 4 inches size. He was a three-time College Player of the Year and surprised the NBA with his ball-handling ability and perimeter shooting. Despite his strong start in the league, where he won the Rookie of the Year award and reached the Finals alongside Hakeem Olajuwon, knee and back injuries ultimately limited his career, leaving us with the uncertainty of how far he could have gone alongside Olajuwon on the Rockets.

Brandon Roy

Roy was a scoring machine in his early years, winning the Rookie of the Year award and being named an All-Star three times. Kobe Bryant even considered him the toughest player to guard in the Western Conference. However, knee injuries forced him to retire before turning 30, leaving Blazers fans and the NBA wondering what he could have achieved if his body had allowed him to prolong his career.

Arvydas Sabonis

Considered a skilled giant and brilliant passer, Sabonis dominated European basketball in the 80s and early 90s. But by the time he finally reached the NBA in 1995, his chronic injuries had severely affected his game. Still, he showed flashes of his unique skills with the Portland Trail Blazers. If he had arrived in his prime, he likely would have altered his team's destiny in the 90s.

Drazen Petrovic

Petrovic was a lethal shooting guard with impeccable shooting. After gaining respect in the NBA and Europe, his career and life were cut short by a tragic car accident. Reggie Miller, a legend in his own right, considered him the best shooter he had faced. Petrovic, still on his rise, had the potential to become a much bigger star.

Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway

Hardaway shone in his early seasons with the Orlando Magic, being the perfect partner for Shaquille O’Neal. However, a knee injury in the 1996 playoffs robbed him of his unique agility. Although he remained a respected player, he never regained the level that had placed him among the league's best.

Derrick Rose

Rose made history as the league's youngest MVP at 22, leading the Chicago Bulls as one of the dominant forces in the East. However, a series of serious knee injuries interrupted his career. His explosiveness and unique ball-handling ability were traits that, without the injuries, could have propelled him to a prominent place in the history of point guards.

Grant Hill

Hill was a phenomenon in his early years, a versatile forward capable of doing it all on the court and, for many, the "LeBron James" of the 90s. However, a series of ankle injuries during his time with the Orlando Magic derailed his trajectory. Although he had a long career, his most productive years were hampered, leaving many wondering what more he could have achieved alongside Tracy McGrady.

Len Bias

Considered a talent on par with Michael Jordan, Bias was drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1986 but tragically passed away shortly after due to a cocaine overdose. The tragedy not only devastated the Celtics franchise and the NBA but also created an eternal "what could have been" in sports. His potential to change the game and join a championship team made him one of the deepest "what could have been" in basketball history.

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