5 Best active NBA players who transitioned from the G-League

#2 Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside is among the NBA's best rebounders

Hassan Whiteside was selected with the 33rd overall pick Sacramento back in the 2010 NBA draft, although the then 21-year-old was sent to the Reno Bighorns after a brief two-minute outing for the Kings. Whiteside made a slow start to life with the Bighorns, although his impact increased during his 18-month spell, and he finished the 2011-12 season averaging 7.8 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Whiteside went on to play in Lebanon and China, before finally securing a permanent role in the NBA with the Miami Heat in 2014. The center made 324 appearances for the Heat over five seasons, averaging 14.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per contest. Whiteside was also named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 2017, and he is now a starter for a Portland Trail Blazers team hoping to contend for a title.

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#1 Danny Green

Danny Green has won two-titles during his career

Danny Green made 145 appearances during his four years with the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Cleveland Cavaliers saw enough to take him with the 46th overall pick of the 2009 NBA draft. Nevertheless, Green played just 20 times during his rookie year before being waived and was released by the San Antonio Spurs after making just two appearances.

Following his second release in less than a year, Green's NBA career was in the balance, although the then 23-year-old quickly bounced back thanks to an impressive 16-game spell with the Reno Bighorns. In the development league, Green averaged 20.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game - which was enough to earn a spot back on the Spurs roster.

The New York native soon went on to become a regular starter under Gregg Popovich - and won his first championship during the 2013-14 season. He has since developed into one of the NBA's best two-way players, and after helping Toronto to their first-ever title last season, he is now starring for the high-flying Los Angeles Lakers.