WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The players from LeBron James' legendary 2003 NBA Draft

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Scott DavisOct 1, 2020, 22:45 IST
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The players from LeBron James' legendary 2003 NBA Draft

Reuters

  • The 2003 NBA Draft is regarded as one of the best of all time.
  • The first fives picks alone produced NBA legends like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade — some of the most successful players in NBA history.
  • Like all drafts, it also produced busts who didn't accomplish much in the NBA and fell out of the league quickly.
  • Today, many players are still involved in basketball while some have moved on entirely.

The 2003 NBA Draft remains one of the most legendary drafts in NBA history.

Though it may lack the depth of the classic 1996 Kobe Bryant draft, it was among the most top-heavy we've ever seen: LeBron James went first, and the top five picks were rounded out by Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade.

Of course, like all drafts, it also produced some famous busts, role players, and players who went into other fields after their playing days were over.

See what happened to the top 29 picks of the draft below:

Tony Manfred contributed to this report.

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LeBron James was picked No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron James was picked No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

James is in his 167h season and is still regarded as the best player in the NBA and one of the best players of all time, with four MVPs and three titles. He's now with the Los Angeles Lakers.

James is in his 167h season and is still regarded as the best player in the NBA and one of the best players of all time, with four MVPs and three titles. He's now with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Harry How/Getty
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Darko Milicic was picked No. 2 overall by the Detroit Pistons.

Darko Milicic was picked No. 2 overall by the Detroit Pistons.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Considered one of the biggest draft busts ever, Milicic played for six teams in ten years. He later played overseas, became a kickboxer, and then worked and lived on an apple farm in Serbia.

Considered one of the biggest draft busts ever, Milicic played for six teams in ten years. He later played overseas, became a kickboxer, and then worked and lived on an apple farm in Serbia.
"E:60"/ESPN

Read more: One of the NBA's most notorious draft busts is now a happy apple farmer in Serbia who laughs about his NBA career >

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Carmelo Anthony was picked No. 3 overall by the Denver Nuggets.

Carmelo Anthony was picked No. 3 overall by the Denver Nuggets.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A 10-time All-Star, Anthony bounced around after years with the Nuggets and Knicks. After falling out of the NBA, he had a solid comeback season with the Portland Trail Blazers.

A 10-time All-Star, Anthony bounced around after years with the Nuggets and Knicks. After falling out of the NBA, he had a solid comeback season with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Gerald Herbert/AP
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Chris Bosh was picked No. 4 overall by the Toronto Raptors.

Chris Bosh was picked No. 4 overall by the Toronto Raptors.
REUTERS/Peter Jones

Bosh's career took a turn when he was twice diagnosed with blood clots. Bosh attempted to make comebacks, but teams didn't want to sign him. He gave up on his comeback, and the Heat retired his number in 2019.

Bosh's career took a turn when he was twice diagnosed with blood clots. Bosh attempted to make comebacks, but teams didn't want to sign him. He gave up on his comeback, and the Heat retired his number in 2019.
Joe Skipper/AP
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Dwyane Wade was picked No. 5 overall by the Miami Heat.

Dwyane Wade was picked No. 5 overall by the Miami Heat.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Wade spent 14 of his 16 NBA seasons with the Miami Heat. He retired at the end of the 2018-19 season. He was a 13-time All-Star. He now is a basketball analyst and philanthropist.

Wade spent 14 of his 16 NBA seasons with the Miami Heat. He retired at the end of the 2018-19 season. He was a 13-time All-Star. He now is a basketball analyst and philanthropist.
Kathy Willens/AP
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Chris Kaman was picked No. 6 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Chris Kaman was picked No. 6 overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty

Kaman retired from the NBA in 2015-16. He played 13 seasons, making one all-Star team, and made $86 million. It's unclear what he does now, but he was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Kaman retired from the NBA in 2015-16. He played 13 seasons, making one all-Star team, and made $86 million. It's unclear what he does now, but he was inducted into the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
via WOOD TV8/YouTube
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Kirk Hinrich was picked No. 7 overall by the Chicago Bulls

Kirk Hinrich was picked No. 7 overall by the Chicago Bulls
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Hinrich played 13 seasons in the NBA, 11 of them with the Bulls. He now works with Sanford Power basketball, a training a facility in the midwest.

Hinrich played 13 seasons in the NBA, 11 of them with the Bulls. He now works with Sanford Power basketball, a training a facility in the midwest.
SUX Sports/YouTube

Source: Argus Leader

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TJ Ford was picked No. 8 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.

TJ Ford was picked No. 8 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Brian Bahr/Getty

Ford had to retire in 2012 because of a spinal injury. He now runs basketball camps for Texas high school players.

Ford had to retire in 2012 because of a spinal injury. He now runs basketball camps for Texas high school players.
Texas Longhorns/YouTube

Source: ESPN

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Michael Sweetney was picked No. 9 overall by the New York Knicks.

Michael Sweetney was picked No. 9 overall by the New York Knicks.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

He fell out of the league in 2007 after struggling with weight issues. As of 2019 he was an assistant coach at Yeshiva University and an advocate for mental wellness after opening up about his own struggles with depression.

He fell out of the league in 2007 after struggling with weight issues. As of 2019 he was an assistant coach at Yeshiva University and an advocate for mental wellness after opening up about his own struggles with depression.
DoctorNBA/YouTube

Source: New York Post, Hoops Hype

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Jarvis Hayes was picked No. 10 overall by the Washington Wizards.

Jarvis Hayes was picked No. 10 overall by the Washington Wizards.
Doug Pensinger/Getty

Hayes played seven seasons in the NBA. He is now an assistant coach at Georgia State University.

Hayes played seven seasons in the NBA. He is now an assistant coach at Georgia State University.
YouTube

Source: Jarvis Hayes/Twitter

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Mickael Pietrus was picked No. 11 overall by the Golden State Warriors

Mickael Pietrus was picked No. 11 overall by the Golden State Warriors
REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

He was a solid role player around the league for years, last playing in 2013. As of 2015, he was playing internationally. It's unclear what he does today.

He was a solid role player around the league for years, last playing in 2013. As of 2015, he was playing internationally. It's unclear what he does today.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
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Nick Collison was picked No. 12 overall by the Seattle Sonics.

Nick Collison was picked No. 12 overall by the Seattle Sonics.
Ronald Martinez/Getty

Collison played for the Sonics/Thunder for his entire career. He announced his retirement in May 2018 and the team retired his jersey in 2019. He now works with the Thunder's front office.

Collison played for the Sonics/Thunder for his entire career. He announced his retirement in May 2018 and the team retired his jersey in 2019. He now works with the Thunder's front office.
Rob Ferguson/AP

Source: Forbes

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Marcus Banks was picked No. 13 overall and traded to the Boston Celtics.

Marcus Banks was picked No. 13 overall and traded to the Boston Celtics.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Banks played internationally after ten years in the NBA. He has worked as an analyst on NBA TV and played in the Big3. He now runs a basketball academy.

Banks played internationally after ten years in the NBA. He has worked as an analyst on NBA TV and played in the Big3. He now runs a basketball academy.
J Pat Carter/Getty
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Luke Ridnour was picked No. 14 overall by the Seattle Sonics.

Luke Ridnour was picked No. 14 overall by the Seattle Sonics.
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Ridnour retired in 2016 after 12 years in the NBA. He occasionally trains basketball players and works with his son's basketball team.

Ridnour retired in 2016 after 12 years in the NBA. He occasionally trains basketball players and works with his son's basketball team.
William Jessup University/YouTube

Source: Yakima Herald

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Reece Gaines was picked No. 15 overall by the Orlando Magic.

Reece Gaines was picked No. 15 overall by the Orlando Magic.
Ed Betz/AP

Gaines played seven years in the NBA, and is now a coach on the Austin Spurs, the Spurs' G League affiliate.

Gaines played seven years in the NBA, and is now a coach on the Austin Spurs, the Spurs' G League affiliate.
Park Community Credit Union/YouTube
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Troy Bell was picked No. 16 overall and traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Troy Bell was picked No. 16 overall and traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
REUTERS

Bell only played one season in the NBA. He has since played overseas, most recently in Argentina. He is also an R&B artist.

Bell only played one season in the NBA. He has since played overseas, most recently in Argentina. He is also an R&B artist.
YouTube

Source: BC Interruption

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Zarko Cabarkapa was picked No. 17 overall by the Phoenix Suns.

Zarko Cabarkapa was picked No. 17 overall by the Phoenix Suns.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

He only played three years in the NBA. In 2015, he became the sports director of the Adriatic Basketball Association League.

He only played three years in the NBA. In 2015, he became the sports director of the Adriatic Basketball Association League.
ABA Liga/YouTube

Source: HoopsHype

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David West was picked No. 18 overall by the New Orleans Hornets.

David West was picked No. 18 overall by the New Orleans Hornets.
Elsa/Getty Images

West was a two-time All-Star, playing for four teams in 15 years. He retired in 2018.

West was a two-time All-Star, playing for four teams in 15 years. He retired in 2018.
Denis Poroy/AP
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Sasha Pavlovic was picked No. 19 overall by the Utah Jazz.

Sasha Pavlovic was picked No. 19 overall by the Utah Jazz.
REUTERS/Steve Wilson

After 10 years as a role player in the NBA, he returned to play in Europe. He was cut from the Greek club Panathinaikos in early 2016. As of 2018, he said he was retired and weighing his future.

After 10 years as a role player in the NBA, he returned to play in Europe. He was cut from the Greek club Panathinaikos in early 2016. As of 2018, he said he was retired and weighing his future.
via EuroHoops TV

Source: EuroHoops

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Dahntay Jones was picked No. 20 overall and traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Dahntay Jones was picked No. 20 overall and traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
REUTERS/Steve Wilson

Jones vounced around the NBA, last playing in 2017. He has since played in the Big 3 and appeared on several networks as an analyst.

Jones vounced around the NBA, last playing in 2017. He has since played in the Big 3 and appeared on several networks as an analyst.
FS1

Source: Bleacher Report

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Boris Diaw was picked No. 21 overall by the Atlanta Hawks.

Boris Diaw was picked No. 21 overall by the Atlanta Hawks.
Jamie Squire/Getty

Diaw played 14 seasons in the NBA, playing a key role in the Spurs' 2014 championship. He played professionally in France in 2017 and now appears to travel the world.

Diaw played 14 seasons in the NBA, playing a key role in the Spurs' 2014 championship. He played professionally in France in 2017 and now appears to travel the world.
via Instagram/Boris Diaw

Source: Boris Diaw/Instagram

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Zoran Planinic was picked No. 22 overall by the New Jersey Nets.

Zoran Planinic was picked No. 22 overall by the New Jersey Nets.
Ed Betz/AP

Planinic went back to Europe in 2006 and was the MVP of the 2012 Eurocup while playing for Russian team BC Khimki Moscow. He most recently played for the Turkish club Efes in 2014. His cousin is Clippers center Ivica Zubac.

Planinic went back to Europe in 2006 and was the MVP of the 2012 Eurocup while playing for Russian team BC Khimki Moscow. He most recently played for the Turkish club Efes in 2014. His cousin is Clippers center Ivica Zubac.
Wikimedia Commons
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Travis Outlaw was picked No. 23 overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Travis Outlaw was picked No. 23 overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

After seven seasons with the Blazers, Outlaw bounced around the league and eventually fell out in 2014 after being waived by the 76ers. He now hosts basketball camps in Mississippi.

After seven seasons with the Blazers, Outlaw bounced around the league and eventually fell out in 2014 after being waived by the 76ers. He now hosts basketball camps in Mississippi.
Matt Slocum/AP

Source: Columbus Dispatch, Starkville Daily News

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Brian Cook was picked No. 24 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Brian Cook was picked No. 24 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Cook last played in the NBA in 2014. After playing in Japan, Cook played in the Big 3 in 2018.

Cook last played in the NBA in 2014. After playing in Japan, Cook played in the Big 3 in 2018.
Grant Halverson/Getty
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Carlos Delfino was picked No. 25 overall by the Detroit Pistons.

Carlos Delfino was picked No. 25 overall by the Detroit Pistons.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Delfino last played in the NBA in 2013. He has since played internationally, most recently in Italy, but was cut by the team in 2018 for "almost violent behavior" with the coach.

Delfino last played in the NBA in 2013. He has since played internationally, most recently in Italy, but was cut by the team in 2018 for "almost violent behavior" with the coach.
Charlie Neibergall/AP

Source: EuroHoops

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Ndudi Ebi was picked No. 26 by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ndudi Ebi was picked No. 26 by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
REUTERS/Ron Kuntz

He played two years in the NBA and has played overseas, most recently in France.

He played two years in the NBA and has played overseas, most recently in France.
Auxilium Cus Torino/YouTube

Source: BeBasket

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Kendrick Perkins was picked No. 27 overall and traded to the Boston Celtics.

Kendrick Perkins was picked No. 27 overall and traded to the Boston Celtics.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Perkins was a successful role player for several teams. He last played on the Cavaliers in 2018. He is now an ESPN analyst.

Perkins was a successful role player for several teams. He last played on the Cavaliers in 2018. He is now an ESPN analyst.
via YouTube/ESPN
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Leandro Barbosa was picked No. 28 overall and traded to the Phoenix Suns.

Leandro Barbosa was picked No. 28 overall and traded to the Phoenix Suns.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Barbosa played 14 years in the NBA, winning Sixth Man of the Year and two championships with the Warriors. He last played with the Suns in 2017, then in Brazil. He officially retired this year.

Barbosa played 14 years in the NBA, winning Sixth Man of the Year and two championships with the Warriors. He last played with the Suns in 2017, then in Brazil. He officially retired this year.
FIBA
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Josh Howard was picked No. 29 overall by the Dallas Mavericks.

Josh Howard was picked No. 29 overall by the Dallas Mavericks.
REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Howard left the NBA in 2013 after an injury-plagued career. He became as head coach of the Piedmont International University basketball team in 2016 and in 2020 was hired as head coach of University of North Texas at Dallas.

Howard left the NBA in 2013 after an injury-plagued career. He became as head coach of the Piedmont International University basketball team in 2016 and in 2020 was hired as head coach of University of North Texas at Dallas.
WXII 12 News/YouTube

Source: Hoop Dirt

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Now, see how some of the NBA's biggest stars have changed over time...

Now, see how some of the NBA's biggest stars have changed over time...
David Zalubowski/AP
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