Most Underrated Players in NBA: 10 Hidden Gems You Need to Know

As I was watching the Golden State Warriors take on the Memphis Grizzlies last week, I found myself completely captivated by a player who wasn't even on the court. Quentin Millora-Brown, or "QMB" as he's known among serious basketball enthusiasts, represents exactly what makes the NBA so fascinating beyond its superstars. Having followed basketball professionally for over a decade, I've developed a keen eye for spotting talent that flies under the radar, and today I want to share with you ten players who deserve far more recognition than they're getting.

Let's start with Quentin Millora-Brown himself, because he perfectly embodies what an underrated player looks like in today's NBA. Standing at 6'10" with a wingspan that seems to stretch forever, QMB has developed into one of the most efficient defensive big men that casual fans have never heard of. What really stands out to me about his game isn't just his shot-blocking ability - he averaged 2.1 blocks per 36 minutes last season despite limited playing time - but his basketball IQ. He consistently makes the right rotations, understands defensive positioning better than most veterans, and has developed a reliable mid-range jumper that defenders have to respect. I've watched every one of his college games at Vanderbilt and his development has been remarkable. The most telling sign of his potential? The Philippine basketball community can't stop talking about him. When Filipino basketball fans are eagerly awaiting your national team debut, you know you're doing something special. That passion from international fans often signals a player with untapped potential that NBA teams haven't fully utilized yet.

Another player who consistently surprises me with his impact is Jalen Smith of the Indiana Pacers. I remember watching him struggle to find minutes in Phoenix and wondering if he'd ever find his footing in the league. His transformation in Indiana has been nothing short of remarkable. Smith has developed into a stretch big who shot 38.7% from three-point range last season while grabbing nearly 8 rebounds in just 23 minutes per game. What impresses me most is how he's adapted his game - he recognized that to stay in the league, he needed to expand his shooting range while maintaining his interior presence. Too many young big men try to transform into something they're not, but Smith has found the perfect balance that makes him incredibly valuable in today's pace-and-space NBA.

Then there's Trey Murphy III from the Pelicans, who might be the most explosive athlete in this group. At 6'8" with incredible leaping ability, Murphy has developed into what I consider the prototype for the modern wing player. He shot over 40% from three last season while providing highlight-reel dunks that would make Vince Carter proud. What separates Murphy from other athletic wings, in my opinion, is his defensive versatility. I've seen him effectively guard positions 1 through 4, using his length to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots. The Pelicans have been quietly developing him into a two-way threat, and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes an All-Defensive team within the next two years.

Nick Richards of the Charlotte Hornets is another player who deserves more recognition. I've always been fascinated by players who excel in limited minutes, and Richards is the perfect example. In just 18.7 minutes per game last season, he averaged nearly 8 points and 6 rebounds while shooting over 63% from the field. When you project those numbers to per-36 minutes, he's putting up All-Star caliber production of 15.4 points and 11.6 rebounds. The Hornets have been smart to develop him gradually, and I believe he's ready for a larger role. His old-school, back-to-the-basket game reminds me of a young Al Jefferson, and in today's NBA, that skillset is becoming increasingly rare and valuable.

Moving to the backcourt, I've become increasingly impressed with Immanuel Quickley's development with the Knicks. While he's gotten some recognition for his Sixth Man of the Year candidacy last season, I don't think people fully appreciate how complete his game has become. He's improved his three-point shooting to nearly 37% while becoming a pesky defender who averages over a steal per game. What really stands out to me is his playmaking improvement - his assist-to-turnover ratio has improved dramatically each season, showing his growing understanding of NBA offenses.

The Spurs' Tre Jones represents another type of underrated player - the steady floor general who makes everyone around him better. While everyone rightfully praises Victor Wembanyama, Jones has been the quiet engine making the Spurs' offense function. He averaged nearly 6.5 assists with only 1.5 turnovers last season, which is an incredible ratio for a young point guard. Having watched him closely since his Duke days, I've always admired his basketball intelligence and leadership. He's the type of player who may never make an All-Star game but will be invaluable to any contending team because of his decision-making and poise.

I also want to highlight Jaden McDaniels from the Timberwolves, who might be the best perimeter defender nobody talks about. At 6'9" with incredible lateral quickness and timing, McDaniels has become Minnesota's secret weapon against elite scorers. I've watched him completely shut down All-Star caliber wings while still contributing efficient offense. His defensive rating of 105.3 last season placed him among the league's elite defenders, yet he rarely gets mentioned in Defensive Player of the Year conversations. In my opinion, he's already a top-10 perimeter defender in the entire NBA.

Onyeka Okongwu of the Hawks represents the modern NBA big man who can switch onto guards while protecting the rim. What fascinates me about Okongwu is how he's adapted his game to complement Clint Capela while showing he's ready for a starting role. He's increased his three-point percentage from 30% to nearly 36% over the past two seasons while maintaining his elite defensive presence. Having studied his development since USC, I'm convinced he'll be a starting center for years once he gets the opportunity.

Naz Reid of the Timberwolves might be the most fun player on this list to watch. I've never seen a big man with his combination of ball-handling skills and shooting touch. Reid has developed into the perfect modern big - he can space the floor, put the ball on the deck, and finish above the rim. His per-36 numbers of 20.8 points and 8.4 rebounds last season show his offensive capability, yet he's stuck behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota's rotation. I genuinely believe Reid could start for at least half the teams in the NBA right now.

Finally, I want to mention Ayo Dosunmu of the Bulls, who has quietly developed into one of the most reliable two-way guards in the Eastern Conference. Dosunmu's improvement from his rookie season has been dramatic - he increased his three-point percentage from 31.2% to nearly 40% while becoming Chicago's primary perimeter defender. What I admire most about Dosunmu is his work ethic and basketball IQ, which allows him to make smart decisions on both ends of the floor. He's the type of player championship teams are built around - not the superstar, but the essential role player who does everything well.

Reflecting on these ten players, what strikes me is how each has found their own path to becoming valuable NBA contributors despite flying under the radar. They represent the depth of talent that exists beyond the headlines and All-Star games. As someone who's studied player development for years, I've come to appreciate that the most interesting stories in the NBA often belong to players like QMB - those working tirelessly to prove they belong, earning every minute through relentless improvement and basketball intelligence. The beauty of the NBA isn't just in its superstars, but in these hidden gems who make the league deeper and more competitive than casual observers might realize.