Basketball History: 5 Greatest players of all time outside the NBA

#2 Joe "The Destroyer" Hammond

Hammond's name is etched amongst the greatest Rucker Park legends.

Hammond got his middle name through his natural tendency to destroy all kinds of defences.

The Rucker Park in Harlem is the most famed outdoor court in the world. In what veteran observers call the greatest streetball game ever played in 1970, Joe walked into a game in the second half and dropped 50 points on Dr J in a double-overtime loss.

Hammond also set a Rucker Park single-game record with 82 points. New York Times described him as being the best streetball player ever.

Legend has it that while in high school, Joe Hammond turned down a $50,000 offer from the Lakers and a three-year deal with the ABA because he was making more cash balling in the streets.

Unfortunately, he took up the drug game for the long haul and as a result is currently a recovering addict having done a couple of bids in prison as well. In 2010, Hammond filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Foot Locker and Nike for using his name and image of merchandise without his permission.