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

#4 Richard "Pee Wee" Kirkland

Kirkland turned down an offer to play for the Chicago Bulls

Just like all the other streetball legends, Kirkland made more money hustling than the NBA could ever offer. During the '60s and '70s, Pee Wee would famously stop by the Rucker in a Rolls Royce and drop an effortless 50 on his opponents. There are rumours that he pulled the first-ever crossover and spin to the basket.

When he balled at Norfolk State, Coaches like John Wooden and Red Holzman were highly interested in his skills while Sports Illustrated dubbed him as "The fastest man in college basketball". Many believe he had an invaluable opportunity to play with the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at UCLA, but he preferred what the gangster lifestyle had to offer.

There is no doubt he would have turned into an elite NBA player, had he chosen a different path. Later, Pee Wee appeared in the 2012 documentary 'Doin’ It in The Park'.