25 Biggest Busts In Sports History

By Chris Ross

The 25 Biggest Busts in Sports History

Ryan Leaf intro — 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

Tony Mandarich packers - Copy

25. Tony Mandarich, OT, Green Bay Packers

Tony Mandarich packers — 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

Dan McGwire Seahawks - Copy

24. Dan McGwire, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Dan McGwire Seahawks — 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

Josh Hamilton Rays - Copy

23. Josh Hamilton, OF, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Josh Hamilton Rays — 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

Russell Cross - Copy

22. Russell Cross, C, Golden State Warriors

Russell Cross — 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

Russell Erxleben

21. Russell Erxleben, K, New Orleans Saints

Russell Erxleben - Copy — 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

Michael Olowokandi

20. Michael Olowokandi, C, Los Angeles Clippers

Michael Olowokandi - Copy — 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

Mike Mamula

19. Mike Mamula, DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Mike Mamula - Copy — 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

Kwame Brown

18. Kwame Brown, C, Washington Wizards

Kwame Brown - Copy — 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

Jason Smith - Copy

17. Jason Smith, OT, St. Louis Rams

Jason Smith — 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

Rolando McClain

16. Rolando McClain, LB, Oakland Raiders

Rolando McClain - Copy — 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

Kurt Brown

15. Kurt Brown, C, Chicago White Sox

Kurt Brown - Copy — 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

LaRue Martin

14. LaRue Martin, C, Portland Trail Blazers

LaRue Martin - Copy — 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

Adam Morrison - Copy

13. Adam Morrison, SF, Charlotte Bobcats

Adam Morrison — 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

Charles Rogers

12. Charles Rogers, WR, Detroit Lions

Charles Rogers - Copy — 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

Darko Milicic - Copy

11. Darko Milicic, C, Detroit Pistons

Darko Milicic — 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

Chris Washburn

10. Chris Washburn, C, Golden State Warriors

Chris Washburn - Copy — 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

Robert Traylor

9. Robert Traylor, PF, Milwaukee Bucks

Robert Traylor - Copy — 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

Lawrence Phillips

8. Lawrence Phillips, RB, St. Louis Rams

Lawrence Phillips - Copy — 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

Joe Barry Carroll

7. Joe Barry Carroll, C, Golden State Warriors

Joe Barry Carroll - Copy — 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

Vernon Gholston

6. Vernon Gholston, DE, New York Jets

Vernon Gholston - Copy — 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

Art Schlichter

5. Art Schlichter, QB, Baltimore Colts

Art Schlichter - Copy — 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

Greg Oden

4. Greg Oden, C, Portland Trail Blazers

Greg Oden - Copy — 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

JaMarcus Russell - Copy

3. JaMarcus Russell, QB, Oakland Raiders

JaMarcus Russell — 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

Ryan Leaf - Copy

2. Ryan Leaf, QB, San Diego Chargers

Ryan Leaf — 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

Sam Bowie - Copy

1. Sam Bowie, C, Portland Trail Blazers

Sam Bowie — 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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