LA’s draft history: Ranking every #3 overall pick

2 Nov 2000: A closeup of Darius Miles #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers looking on during the game against the Vancouver Grizzlies at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Grizzlies defeated the Clippers 99-91. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
2 Nov 2000: A closeup of Darius Miles #21 of the Los Angeles Clippers looking on during the game against the Vancouver Grizzlies at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Grizzlies defeated the Clippers 99-91. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
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Benoit Benjamin
Benoit Benjamin (Photo by Stephen Dunn/NBAE/Getty Images)

3. Benoit Benjamin

LA Clippers stats: 13.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.8 bpg

At a moment’s notice, it felt as though Benoit Benjamin was capable of taking over a game. The hulking big men lumbered up the court, dug his heels into the paint, and dominated on the inside.

Taken with the third overall pick in the 1985 NBA Draft, Benjamin dropped a cool 11.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Although Benjamin had his moments throughout the course of his career, he never quite made the leap to superstardom.

During his six seasons in LA, Benjamin’s career high came during the 1988-89 season with averages of 16.4 points per game and 8.8 boards. Regardless of his nightly averages, however, Benjamin’s LA bunch was never good enough to make a postseason run, failing to make the big dance each season he donned the white, blue, and red for Clipper faithful.

With no playoff success in sight, Benjamin was eventually dealt to the Seattle Supersonics. His NBA carousel wouldn’t stop there, however, as Benjamin bounced from team to team, putting up insignificant numbers along the way.