Drafting a center in the first round used to be the safest move in the NBA. Big man with size? Check. Shot-blocking upside? Check. But for every Tim Duncan or Joel Embiid, there are about five centers who made teams instantly regret using that early pick.
Whether it was injuries, outdated skillsets, or just flat-out bust status, these guys proved that height doesn’t always equal success. Here are NBA centers who heard their names called on night one, only to leave fans wondering, “Why?”
18. Daniel Orton
The Magic took him 29th overall in 2010, and he barely cracked their rotation. Orlando gambled on size and got a whole lot of nothing in return.
17. Adonal Foyle
Taken 8th overall in 1997, Foyle was supposed to anchor Golden State’s defense. He stuck around for a while but never came close to living up to a top-10 selection.
16. Rafael Araújo
Toronto picked him 8th overall in 2004, and he became a punchline almost immediately. His game didn’t translate, and fans never let the Raptors forget it.
15. Yi Jianlian
He had the height, the range, and the mysterious international hype. But the 6th overall pick in 2007 never adjusted to NBA speed and disappeared just as quickly.
14. Hasheem Thabeet
Taken second overall in 2009, Thabeet is the definition of “tall doesn’t mean talented.” Memphis skipped James Harden and Steph Curry for a guy who barely played.
13. Cole Aldrich
The Thunder drafted him 11th in 2010, expecting a gritty paint presence. What they got was a serviceable backup at best, and that’s being generous.
12. Patrick O’Bryant
Golden State took him 9th overall in 2006, and he gave them almost nothing—big body, minimal skill, and completely lost on the floor.
11. Vitaly Potapenko
Drafted 12th overall by the Cavs in 1996, he was decent but completely unworthy of a mid-first-round pick. He was outshone by just about everyone who came after him.
10. Robin Lopez
He has had a long NBA career, but as a 15th overall pick, his production never quite matched the investment—solid role player, but not a guy you build around.
9. Robert Swift
Seattle took him 12th overall in 2004, hoping for a high-upside project. Instead, they got a cautionary tale about drafting for size alone.
8. Hilton Armstrong
Picked 12th in 2006, he bounced around the league with little to show. Never quite found his footing, despite being given chance after chance.
7. Bismack Biyombo
Taken 7th in 2011, he looked like a defensive beast on paper. But his offensive limitations caught up to him fast, and he never developed beyond being a situational big.
6. Nikoloz Tskitishvili
Technically a power forward/center, Denver gambled with the 5th overall pick in 2002 and missed badly. He’s now a trivia question about bad drafts and broken scouting systems.
5. Michael Olowokandi
Taken first overall in 1998, “The Kandi Man” never came close to delivering. It’s one of the most infamous No. 1 picks in NBA history, and the regret is eternal.
4. Ekpe Udoh
Golden State took him 6th overall in 2010 and got a defensive specialist with no offensive tools. Not an excellent return for a top-10 selection.
3. Fab Melo
Boston used the 22nd pick in 2012 on Melo, hoping for a shot-blocking rim protector. He barely got any playing time before flaming out of the league.
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2. Saer Sene
Seattle again, this time with the 10th pick in 2006. His raw talent never materialized, and he struggled to stay on any roster.
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1. Darko Miličić
The Pistons picked him second overall in 2003, right between LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. He won a ring but spent most of his career proving why teams shouldn’t draft for need over talent.
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