NBA Players Whose Careers Ended Too Soon

Ranker NBA
Updated December 19, 2019 2.4k votes 834 voters
List Rules
Vote up the athletes you wish had played longer.

While not known as the most physically demanding sport, basketball still takes a tremendous toll on atheltes' bodies, meaning the list of NBA players whose careers ended too soon is long and unfortunate. While some players made their mark in the short time they had before injuries or tragedy took them out of the game, some were not around in the league long enough to showcase the full extent of their talents.

Perhaps the most famous NBA player to have his career cut short is Magic Johnson, who famously left the NBA after a shocking HIV diagnosis. Then, there is Len Bias, who died before even getting to play a game in the league. Other popular players like Yao Ming and Penny Hardaway, while they did not suffer the same tragic end as Bias, were forced to retire after multiple injuries made the game impossible to play.

So check out this list of the top basketball players whose short careers left fans wondering what might have been if not for injuries or tragedies or just not wanting to put their bodies through the pain anymore. Vote up the players you wish you could have seen hit the court again and the ones you think retired too early.

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