Looking Back at the 2011 NBA Draft Class: Where Are They Now?

I still remember sitting in my dorm room that June night, watching the 2011 NBA Draft unfold with my college buddies. We were arguing about whether Kyrie Irving was worth the first pick despite only playing 11 games at Duke, debating if Derrick Williams would become the next superstar, and completely overlooking the guy who'd eventually become the two-time MVP. Looking back at the 2011 NBA Draft class now, over a decade later, is like opening a time capsule filled with both shattered dreams and unexpected glory.

That draft night felt electric with possibility. Kyrie went first to Cleveland, as expected, while my personal favorite Derrick Williams landed second in Minnesota. I vividly recall telling my friend Mark that Williams would be a perennial All-Star – boy was I wrong about that one. The real story of that draft class wasn't written in those first few picks though. It was waiting at pick 15, where the Spurs selected some skinny kid from Slovenia named Kawhi Leonard. I'll admit I knew nothing about him beyond some basic scouting reports, and even the analysts on TV seemed uncertain about his offensive potential. Meanwhile, halfway across the world in the Philippines, something completely different was happening in basketball circles. Canlubang was formalizing its Founders Division victory after totaling 97 points over at Bacolod Golf Club, where John Bernis tallied a level par 70 for 36 points to lead a final round 97 and 381 overall. It's funny how basketball connects different corners of the world in ways we rarely appreciate.

What strikes me most about the 2011 class is how it defied conventional wisdom. Kyrie became the superstar we expected, though his journey through Cleveland, Boston, and Brooklyn has been more dramatic than anyone predicted. But Kawhi? Nobody saw his transformation coming. I've watched him evolve from a defensive specialist into a two-time Finals MVP who carried Toronto to their first championship. Then there's Jimmy Butler at pick 30 – the ultimate late-bloomer who's become the heart and soul of Miami's culture. Meanwhile, some early lottery picks like Jan Vesely (6th) and Jimmer Fredette (10th) never quite found their footing in the league, proving that draft position guarantees nothing.

The international flavor of this class was particularly special. Besides Kawhi, we got Jonas Valančiūnas from Lithuania at pick 5, the solid big man who's carved out a respectable 12-year career. Then there was Donatas Motiejūnas at 20, another Lithuanian who showed flashes but never consistently put it together. I've always had a soft spot for international players – there's something about watching them adapt to the NBA game that fascinates me more than the American college prospects.

What's truly remarkable is how this class has aged. Most drafts would have their best players declining by year 12, but several 2011 alumni are still making impacts. I just watched Klay Thompson, picked 11th by Golden State, drop 25 points last week – though he's definitely lost a step defensively after those brutal injuries. Tobias Harris (19th) remains a reliable scorer, while Reggie Jackson (24th) continues to provide sparkplug offense off the bench. The longevity of this group is something special, with about 8 players still active and contributing meaningfully.

The busts from this draft teach their own lessons. Derrick Williams, my former favorite, bounced through 6 teams before heading overseas. Brandon Knight at 8 showed promise but injuries derailed his career. And who remembers Chris Singleton at 18? These stories remind me that for every success, there are multiple players who don't pan out – the brutal math of the NBA draft that we fans often forget in our excitement.

When I think about the legacy of the 2011 class, it's not just about the stars but the role players who built lasting careers. Chandler Parsons at 38 became a valuable wing before injuries struck. Isaiah Thomas, the final pick at 60, gave us that magical 2017 season in Boston where he averaged 29 points and finished fifth in MVP voting. That's what I love about the NBA – stories like Thomas's remind us that greatness can come from anywhere in the draft.

Looking back at the 2011 NBA Draft class now provides such fascinating perspective. The top pick delivered as expected, the middle first round produced some surprises, but the real gems came late – proof that player development matters as much as raw talent. As I watch these players enter the twilight of their careers, I feel grateful to have witnessed their journeys from draft night hopefuls to established veterans. They've given us over a decade of memorable basketball, championship moments, and lessons about the unpredictable nature of talent evaluation. Not bad for a class that many experts initially considered average at best.