Andrew Wiggins, Yao Ming, more

Annual NBA All-Star Game festivities are one of the most anticipated events during the NBA season. Especially in the All-Star Game, fans look forward to seeing the best players of the season play together and showcase their talents with little or no defense.

With The start of the 2025 All-Star Game announced on Thursday, there are sure to be surprises. Although voting and statistics play an important role in the selection of the All-Star game, some players who do not deserve to be included find their way to the team. In fact, some of them even appear as newbies to the game.

For example, the forward of the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins caught everyone off guard when he was selected as the starter for the 2022 All-Star Game. Wiggins’ struggles in the 2023-24 seasonit seems even more surprising that he started an All-Star game once. Here’s a look at Andrew Wiggins and the most unlikely All-Star starters ever.

Andrew Wiggins: 2022

Statistics: 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game

Playing fourth fiddle to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, fans were a bit shocked to see Wiggins’ name in the Western Conference starting lineup. While his numbers were decent, there were only other players who deserved that spot.

But for Wiggins, an approval from BamBamstar K-Pop artist, played a huge role in securing first-place NBA All-Star votes. Add in injuries to stars like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Anthony Davis, and the stars aligned for Wiggins to secure a starting spot.

Dick Maguire: 1956

Stats: 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists per game

If you score less than double figures per game, it’s hard to say how anyone can make the All-Star Game, let alone start in it. Yet Dick McGuire managed to do it in 1956 despite having the worst season of his career.

Perhaps playing at Madison Square Garden must have boosted his popularity. Being a New York Knick at the time had some advantages.

AC Green: 1990

Statistics: 12.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists per game

AC Green was one of the key pieces that led to three NBA championships for the Los Angeles Lakers. Although his role was crucial, he’s pretty sure he didn’t deserve to start the NBA All-Star Game.

However, it helps your popularity to play alongside Vlade Divac, Magic Johnson and James Worthy. It was obvious that Hall of Famers Chris Mullin or David Robinson deserved that starting spot over Green, who went scoreless in his first and only All-Star appearance.

BJ Armstrong: in 1994

Statistics: 14.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game

After the three-pointer, everyone cheered for the Chicago Bulls. However, what do you do when you can’t vote for Michael Jordan? You vote for the next best quarterback on the Bulls team, which turns out to be BJ Armstrong.

In fairness, in 1994, Armstrong was in the midst of a career-best scoring season. Furthermore, prior to that season, he also led the league in 3-point percentage with a red-hot 45.3 percent clip.

Anthony Mason: 2001

Statistics: 16.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game

Anthony Mason was one of the best scorers in the league during his time. Although he was a solid player, the only time he was selected as an All-Star starter was on a header.

During the game, Mason started over future Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, who averaged a solid double-double of 10.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. Mason finished the game scoreless with four rebounds. On the other hand, Mutombo dominated the game with six points and 22 rebounds.

Steve Francis: 2004

Statistics: 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists per game

While playing for Houston, Steve Francis was consistent until the 2003-04 season. But despite his lowest scoring season for the Rockets, it was enough to earn him an NBA All-Star selection. Despite his mediocre output, Francis was chosen to start over Ray Allen and Sam Cassel, who averaged 23 points and 19.8 points, respectively.

Stats: 13.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game

Although Iverson had a legendary career, his final season in the NBA was nothing short of impressive. He appeared in just 28 games overall and was unhappy with his role with the Grizzlies.

However, the thought of retirement certainly prompted fans to vote him in as an All-Star starter. Fans simply wanted to get one last look at The Answer before he left the league after the season.

Yao Ming: 2011

Statistics: 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists

Yao Ming is probably the best basketball player to come out of Asia. He was an All-Star every season in the NBA and was eventually inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. However, his starting spot in the 2011 All-Star Game certainly raised some eyebrows.

Yao played in just five games during the regular season due to injuries. Furthermore, his numbers certainly didn’t have All-Star numbers. However, if you’re the proud product of (at the time) the most populous basketball nation like China, getting votes should be a piece of cake.

Statistics: 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game

When it comes to the heart and soul of a team, Kevin Garnett was at the center of it during his run with the Boston Celtics. He played an instrumental role in Boston’s 2008 championship.

In doing so, he cemented a decorated legacy in the league. However, it can be argued that he did not deserve a starting spot in the 2013 All-Star game.

KG started over Joakim Noah, Brook Lopez and Tyson Chandler despite his so-so numbers. One could also argue that the All-Star scorn of Al Horford and Al Jefferson would also be a good reason to start.

Statistics: 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists per game

There is no doubt that Kobe Bryant is one of the best scorers in the game. Equipped with a Mambo mentality, the late Bryant was nearly impossible to guard. However, Bryant certainly didn’t earn a starting All-Star position in 2014 with his play on the court.

Bryant played in just six games and posted his second-worst career total, the lowest since his rookie season. Even though he didn’t play in that game due to injury, fans respected Bryant enough to get more votes than even Stephen Curry.