The first round of the NBA Draft is an eventful night in every offseason, bringing us great surprises and leaving us questioning whether these prospects can shape the future of the team that drafts them. Although there were no surprises toward the very top with the Kentucky duo of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins being selected in the top-five picks, there were multiple teams that took swings on some highly-touted college prospects who just never reached their fullest potential, quickly becoming the worst whiffs of the 2010 NBA Draft.
Five Worst Whiffs in the 2010 NBA Draft
Evan Turner (2nd overall)
With the No. 2 overall pick, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ohio State guard Evan Turner. Turner was coming off a season where he averaged 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, six assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He became a consensus first-team All-American and 2010 National Player of the Year while sweeping the 2010 college basketball season player of the year awards. In addition, Turner led Ohio State to a Big Ten title win where he won Big Ten tournament Most Outstanding Player. It was truly a historic individual season for Turner.
However, early into his NBA career, it was an entirely different story. His slight flaws coming out of college turned into gaping holes in his game during his time in Philadelphia. Spacing became a key factor throughout the 2010s, and Turner was unable to adapt his all-around skills onto an NBA floor.
The 76ers drafted him to begin their initial step forward in the long process of their rebuild, but he was soon traded to the Indiana Pacers during the 2013-14 season due to his inefficient play. Over his decade long career, Turner was a viable role player on some highly-competitive Boston Celtics teams. However, he never lived up to his No. 2 pick billing.
Wesley Johnson (4th overall)
Two picks later, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Syracuse wing Wesley Johnson who was a 23-year-old college prospect. Johnson had an intriguing college journey, playing his first two seasons with Iowa State before transferring to Syracuse. With the Orange, he improved significantly, earning 2010 Big East Player of the Year with averages of 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game.
It all went downhill for Johnson after his first taste of NBA action. In his first two seasons in Minnesota, Johnson only averaged 7.7 points per game on horrific all-around efficiency. Even with his elite efficiency from all three levels in his final collegiate season, Johnson could never match the same rhythm in the pros.
As an older prospect, Johnson had little room for error to prove himself to NBA teams. He was drafted during a dark time for Minnesota after they had just passed on Stephen Curry twice in the top-10 of the 2009 NBA Draft for Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn. The team needed to hit on the No. 4 selection by creating a fun pairing with Kevin Love. However, Johnson only added to a long list of Minnesota draft mistakes, passing on wing prospects like future All-Stars Paul George and Gordon Hayward in the process. Not to mention, it set up the Timberwolves’ second failed attempt at developing an elite Syracuse prospect.
Ekpe Udoh (6th overall)
The Golden State Warriors entered the 2010 NBA Draft with high expectations. After drafting Curry in the previous draft, they prepared to set themselves up with another top-10 selection to add to their young core. As a result, they targeted Baylor center Ekpe Udoh with the No. 6 overall pick. In his single season with the Bears, he averaged 3.7 blocks per game and claimed a position on the 2010 Big 12 All-Defensive team, cementing himself as one of the best defensive players in the nation.
Similarly to Johnson, Udoh was another 23-year-old rookie, and similarly to Johnson, Udoh became a trade asset to acquire a more proven player at his position in Andrew Bogut. Udoh’s shot-blocking ability remained disruptive as he averaged 1.6 blocks during his first two seasons in the Bay. However, he failed to live up to top-10 pick expectations in Golden State as his offensive impact raised concerns about his long-term fit in the league.
For the Warriors, their decision to select Udoh is a very forgotten point in the process of their dynasty’s construction. The selections of Curry and 2011 first round pick Klay Thompson truly eclipse the organization whiffing in 2010. Luckily, the selection of Udoh didn’t set them back like it would for most teams.
Cole Aldrich (11th overall)
Later into the lottery, the New Orleans Hornets selected Kansas center Cole Aldrich, immediately trading him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for additional draft capital. The draft capital didn’t turn into much. However, it doesn’t take away from the Thunder’s draft whiff of Aldrich. During his three-year college career, Aldrich became a defensive force for the Jayhawks, averaging 3.1 blocks per game in his two seasons as a starter. This included becoming a two-time Big 12 DPOY while leading his team to a 2009 national championship victory in his sophomore season.
The Thunder moved on from him after two seasons where he never averaged over eight minutes per game. Ultimately, Aldrich never played a significant impact in the NBA, barely receiving any playing time, only earning a career-high of 16 minutes per game with the New York Knicks in 2014-15.
Xavier Henry (12th overall)
With the following pick, the Memphis Grizzlies would select Aldrich’s Kansas Jayhawks teammate Xavier Henry. Henry stepped up as a starter in his freshman season, averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Due to his elevated play, he was able to earn Big 12 All-Freshman honors. The Grizzlies took a swing on the 19-year-old. However, for a lottery selection, the chance Henry got in Memphis was as brief as it can be.
Compared to the collegiate level, the NBA was a new beast for Henry. In his rookie season, Henry’s performance showed why he could’ve used additional college experience and development. His elite three-point efficiency (41.5%), which became a strength in college never fully translated during his time in the NBA. By his sophomore season, he was already on his second team, and by his age-23 season, his NBA career was over.
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