Looking Back at the 2009 NBA Draft Class: Where Are They Now?
Looking Back at the 2009 NBA Draft Class: Where Are They Now?
As I sit here watching modern NBA games filled with unicorn big men and positionless basketball, I can't help but feel nostalgic about the 2009 draft class. Having followed basketball religiously since my college days, I've developed this peculiar habit of tracking draft classes throughout their careers. There's something fascinating about watching these young prospects evolve – some becoming superstars, others fading into obscurity, and a few taking unexpected paths overseas. The 2009 class particularly stands out in my memory because it arrived during that transitional period when the league was shifting from traditional post play to the pace-and-space era we know today.
The 2009 NBA draft occurred at Madison Square Garden on June 25th, with the Los Angeles Clippers selecting Blake Griffin as the first overall pick. I remember watching the draft that night with my college roommates, arguing about which prospects would become busts and which would shine. The class included several players who would significantly impact the league's landscape, though we didn't fully appreciate it at the time. What made this draft particularly interesting was how it blended traditional big men with the emerging prototype of versatile wings and scoring guards. The league was beginning its analytical revolution, valuing three-point shooting and positional flexibility more than ever before, and this draft class perfectly captured that moment of transition.
Looking back now, the career trajectories have been fascinating to track. Blake Griffin, despite his injury woes, reinvent himself multiple times – from dunking phenom to playmaking big with a reliable three-point shot. Stephen Curry, picked seventh by Golden State, revolutionized basketball with his unprecedented shooting range. I'll admit I was among the skeptics who thought his game wouldn't translate to NBA physicality – how wrong I was. James Harden, selected third by Oklahoma City, developed into an MVP and scoring champion after being traded to Houston. The international prospects brought their own intrigue too, with players like Ricky Rubio generating buzz years before they actually joined the league.
What's particularly interesting is how many players from this class found success outside the traditional NBA path. While researching for this piece, I came across an interesting parallel in how some players developed their games overseas. Take for example the description of Abarrientos, who waxed hot in the second half by scoring 17 of his 20 points in that stretch, perfectly followed that instruction, running a pick and roll with Brownlee, who passed the ball back to the rookie playmaker. This kind of development story reminds me of several 2009 draftees who honed their skills in international leagues before making their mark. Players like Omri Casspi and Rodrigue Beaubois took unconventional paths that ultimately extended their careers beyond what might have been possible sticking exclusively with NBA teams.
The statistical legacy of this class is nothing short of remarkable. Curry alone has shattered numerous three-point records, making approximately 3,500 threes throughout his career as of my last count. Griffin put up impressive numbers too, averaging around 21 points and 9 rebounds during his prime Detroit years. Harden's scoring peaks were astronomical – I still remember his 2018-19 season where he averaged over 36 points per game, a number we hadn't seen since Jordan's heyday. Even role players from this class have compiled respectable careers; Danny Green became a three-point specialist on multiple championship teams, while Jeff Teague made an All-Star appearance in 2015 that surprised many analysts, myself included.
What strikes me most about tracking these careers is how unpredictable player development can be. The draft night consensus often gets overturned by actual performance, and the 2009 class exemplifies this beautifully. Who would have predicted that Curry would surpass Griffin in career achievements despite being drafted six spots later? Or that DeMar DeRozan, picked ninth, would develop into one of the league's most consistent mid-range scorers years after many had written off that style of play? These unexpected developments are what make following basketball so compelling for me – the constant reminder that potential isn't linear and development isn't predictable.
The international influence of this class deserves special mention. Players like Jonas Valančiūnas and Brandon Jennings brought different flavors to the game, with Jennings famously scoring 55 points in just his seventh NBA game – a rookie record that still stands. The global basketball community became increasingly interconnected during this era, and the 2009 draft class both reflected and accelerated that trend. I've noticed how European players from this class often displayed more well-rounded fundamentals, while American players tended to excel in athleticism and individual scoring – though these distinctions have blurred significantly in recent years.
As I reflect on where these players are now, the diversity of paths is striking. Some, like Curry and Harden, remain elite players more than a decade later. Others have transitioned to role players or mentors, while a few have retired entirely. What's fascinating is how their careers mirror the evolution of basketball itself – the increased emphasis on shooting, the decreased importance of traditional positions, and the global nature of the sport. The 2009 class will always hold a special place in basketball history, not just for its superstars but for how its members adapted to and shaped the modern game. They entered the league at a pivotal moment and left an indelible mark that we're still appreciating today.