We’ve gotten so used to the idea that of course everyone wants to play in the NBA that when someone doesn’t, it seems kind of odd.
It’s rare, but not everyone does. One notable guy who walked away was former Duke big man Marshall Plumlee, who found greater satisfaction as an Army Ranger. He’s never looked back.
Another is Brazilian legend Oscar Schmidt.
Schmidt spent most of his career in Italy but anyone who doubts he could have played in the NBA didn’t watch him absolutely torch the US team in Indianapolis in the 1987 Pan-Am games.