8 Best undrafted talents to play for the Golden State Warriors
By Tyler Watts
6. Earl Boykins
Boykins played four years at Eastern Michigan, including averaging 25.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.9 steals in 36.9 minutes per game as a senior, but that was not enough for him to be drafted in 1998.
The 5’5 point guard is the second-shortest player in NBA history, and his size was a key factor in his struggles to get consistent opportunities. He played just 58 games total over his first three years, and he averaged just 10.9 minutes per contest.
Boykins finally found a consistent role with the Clippers in 2002, but he averaged just 11.2 minutes over 68 contests.
Wanting more playing time and without an offer for one, Boykins sat out at the beginning of the following season until the Warriors signed him with a need in the backcourt. The move paid off as he averaged 8.8 points and 3.3 assists in 19.4 minutes per game, which springboarded him into a backup point guard role in Denver the following season.
The 5’5 guard would help the Nuggets make the playoffs in each of the next three seasons, and he played 13 years in the NBA. Earl Boykins was fearless, and he put on a show in Golden State as the team dealt with injuries. It was a forgettable 2002-03 season where the Dubs won just 38 games, but Boykin injected plenty of energy.