25 Biggest Busts In Sports History

By Chris Ross

The 25 Biggest Busts in Sports History

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Busts are found throughout all of the sports world. Some players just don’t have what it takes to succeed at a professional level, and they end up flopping in their respective sports for a variety of different reasons. With that said, here are the 25 biggest busts in sports history.

25. Tony Mandarich, OT, Green Bay Packers

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25. Tony Mandarich, OT, Green Bay Packers

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Called the “best offensive line prospect ever,” Tony Mandarich never lived up to that distinction. It was eventually found out that Mandarich used steroids, and he was quickly out of the league.

24. Dan McGwire, QB, Seattle Seahawks

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24. Dan McGwire, QB, Seattle Seahawks

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Drafted 16th overall back in 1991, Dan McGwire, a massive 6-foot-8 prospect with a big arm, was supposed to be the next big thing. Instead, McGwire was never particularly effective at the professional level, and ended up a colossal bust.

23. Josh Hamilton, OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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23. Josh Hamilton, OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

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Although he has churned out a nice career over the last several seasons, Josh Hamilton was a huge bust for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Personal issues and drug abuse kept him from ever playing a game with the team. Luckily for Hamilton, he was able to get his life and career back on track.

22. Russell Cross, C, Golden State Warriors

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22. Russell Cross, C, Golden State Warriors

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Russell Cross lasted just one mediocre season in the NBA before being released. Cross average 3.3 points per game in his lone season.

21. Russell Erxleben, K, New Orleans Saints

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21. Russell Erxleben, K, New Orleans Saints

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Drafted with the 11th overall pick, it was very clear that the Saints were never going to get a good value in Russell Erxleben. After all, the team drafted a kicker in the first round. As it would turn out, Erxleben would never become good enough to hold down a starting job, and the Saints essentially wasted a pick.

20. Michael Olowokandi, C, Los Angeles Clippers

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20. Michael Olowokandi, C, Los Angeles Clippers

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A young, raw project when he was drafted, the Los Angeles Clippers did little to develop Michal Olowokandi's game. Olowokandi lasted just five seasons with the Clippers before being let go by the team.

19. Mike Mamula, DE, Philadelphia Eagles

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19. Mike Mamula, DE, Philadelphia Eagles

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Mike Mamula is a cautionary tale of a team putting too much emphasis on workout numbers. Based on the tape, Mamula shouldn't have been drafted anywhere near the first round, but the workout numbers got the Eagles to waste a first-rounder on his ineffective play.

18. Kwame Brown, C, Washington Wizards

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18. Kwame Brown, C, Washington Wizards

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Michael Jordan’s first pick, Kwame Brown was a total bust for the Wizards. His immaturity and lack of work ethic kept him from ever reaching the potential his athletic ability gave him.

17. Jason Smith, OT, St. Louis Rams

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17. Jason Smith, OT, St. Louis Rams

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Drafted at No. 2 overall back in 2009, Jason Smith was a massive disappointment for the St. Louis Rams. Smith never put in the effort to get better, and he’s out of the league as a result.

16. Rolando McClain, LB, Oakland Raiders

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16. Rolando McClain, LB, Oakland Raiders

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Although I praise Rolando McClain’s recent efforts to get his life back on track, there is simply no doubting that he was a bust for the Oakland Raiders. McClain’s immaturity off the field overshadowed what looked like a promising career.

15. Kurt Brown, C, Chicago White Sox

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15. Kurt Brown, C, Chicago White Sox

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Drafted No. 5 overall by the Chicago White Sox in 1985, Kurt Brown vastly underwhelmed. Brown failed to ever make it to the majors, and really never played up to his talent level.

14. LaRue Martin, C, Portland Trail Blazers

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14. LaRue Martin, C, Portland Trail Blazers

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Drafted No. 1 overall in the 1972 draft, LaRue Martin was a total flop in Portland. He was only able to average 5.3 PPG and 4.6 RPG over his four-year career, and was truly inept as an NBA player.

13. Adam Morrison, SF, Charlotte Bobcats

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13. Adam Morrison, SF, Charlotte Bobcats

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Poor shooting efficiency, poor defense and injuries are the main reasons why Adam Morrison never worked out in the NBA, and it’s sad that all of his talent went to waste. Morrison could have been one of the better small forwards in the league, but he never worked hard enough to meet expectations.

12. Charles Rogers, WR, Detroit Lions

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12. Charles Rogers, WR, Detroit Lions

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Thought to be an elite receiving prospect, Charles Rogers was nothing but a headache for Detroit. Because of various off-field issues, Rogers ended his career with just 36 receptions and 440 yards.

11. Darko Milicic, C, Detroit Pistons

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11. Darko Milicic, C, Detroit Pistons

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Had he received more consistent playing time, Darko Milicic probably would be one of the better centers in the NBA. However, the Pistons decided to waste Milicic’s talents on the bench instead. It doesn’t help that Milicic went before guys like Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

10. Chris Washburn, C, Golden State Warriors

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10. Chris Washburn, C, Golden State Warriors

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Although he eventually cleaned himself up, Chris Washburn’s NBA career was ruined by a drug addiction. Washburn had the talent, but poor choices off the court really derailed his career.

9. Robert Traylor, PF, Milwaukee Bucks

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9. Robert Traylor, PF, Milwaukee Bucks

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Originally drafted by the Dallas Mavericks, Robert Traylor was then traded later on draft night to the Milwaukee Bucks. In return, the Mavericks received Pat Garrity, and more notably Dirk Nowitzki. It’s pretty obvious who won that trade.

8. Lawrence Phillips, RB, St. Louis Rams

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8. Lawrence Phillips, RB, St. Louis Rams

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Drafted at No. 6 overall in 1996 despite plenty of character concerns, Lawrence Phillips quickly made the St. Louis Rams regret their decision to draft him. Phillips never really got himself back on track, and the Rams were forced to cut ties with him.

7. Joe Barry Carroll, C, Golden State Warriors

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7. Joe Barry Carroll, C, Golden State Warriors

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Joe Barry Carroll was actually a very talented player, but the assets that Golden State had to give up to select him make him a bust. Not only did the team have to trade away Robert Parrish, but also the No. 4 overall pick, which eventually became Kevin McHale. Carroll was good, but not that good.

6. Vernon Gholston, DE, New York Jets

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6. Vernon Gholston, DE, New York Jets

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Drafted No. 6 overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, Vernon Gholston was supposed to become an elite pass rusher for the New York Jets. However, after three seasons with the team and still no sacks, Gholston was released, and he is now out of the NFL entirely.

5. Art Schlichter, QB, Baltimore Colts

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5. Art Schlichter, QB, Baltimore Colts

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Art Schlichter had all the talent in the world, but gambling totally derailed his career. Schlichter never really played in any meaningful games, and he is now in prison for his gambling.

4. Greg Oden, C, Portland Trail Blazers

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4. Greg Oden, C, Portland Trail Blazers

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If he could’ve remained healthy, Greg Oden would be one of the best centers in the NBA. However, a plethora of injuries led to him playing only 82 total games with the Trail Blazers. Oden can only hope that the Miami Heat decide to bring him back in 2014, or else his career could be over.

3. JaMarcus Russell, QB, Oakland Raiders

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3. JaMarcus Russell, QB, Oakland Raiders

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If athletic ability was the only thing an NFL quarterback needed, JaMarcus Russell would be fine. However, an NFL quarterback needs a lot more than just talent to succeed. Russell was never in shape, and it eventually cost him a spot in the league.

2. Ryan Leaf, QB, San Diego Chargers

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2. Ryan Leaf, QB, San Diego Chargers

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Ryan Leaf is perhaps the most high-profile bust in history. Taken one pick after Peyton Manning, Leaf never panned out while Manning has lead a Hall-of-Fame career.

1. Sam Bowie, C, Portland Trail Blazers

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1. Sam Bowie, C, Portland Trail Blazers

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The third and final Trail Blazers center to appear on this list, Sam Bowie was actually a decent enough player. But between injuries and that fact he was selected one pick before Michael Jordan, Bowie is considered the biggest bust in history.

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