CBH Basketball League: From Cut to Court — Real Stories of Overlooked Talent
At CBH (Can’t Buy Height) Basketball League, we believe that rejection is not the end—it’s the beginning. Many of the greatest NBA players were overlooked, cut, or misunderstood early in their careers. CBH exists to find and develop tall, gifted athletes who may have been overlooked by schools, coaches, or traditional systems.
Michael Jordan — Cut from Varsity
In 10th grade, Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school varsity team. He was placed on JV while another player made varsity. Jordan channeled the pain of that rejection into relentless training, turning what could have been a dream-ending moment into a Hall of Fame career. Today, his story is one of the most referenced examples of perseverance in sports history. “It was embarrassing… they posted the roster, and my name wasn’t on it.” – Michael Jordan
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Didn’t Make JV in 9th Grade
SGA, now an NBA All-Star and Finals MVP, didn’t make the junior varsity team in his freshman year of high school. He joined the freshmen team instead, led them to a city championship, and began to transform his game. Today, he is proof that ninth-grade cuts don’t define a future. “It just shows that things take time… you’ve got to work through it.” – SGA
Markelle Fultz — Cut from Varsity as a Freshman
Fultz was tall but slow and awkward his freshman year at DeMatha Catholic. He was cut from the varsity team, played JV, and refined his craft. Eventually, he became one of the top high school players in the country and was selected as the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft. “Not making the team made me lock in on getting better.” – Markelle Fultz
Nate “Tiny” Archibald — Nearly Quit After Being Cut
At DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, Archibald was cut from varsity and almost dropped out. A few coaches saw his potential and encouraged him to return. He became a college star and NBA Hall of Famer—famous for being the only player in history to lead the league in scoring and assists in the same season.
Why This Matters for CBH
These legends shared something in common: they were doubted, overlooked, or misunderstood. Just like them, many tall middle school and high school boys are:
- Seen as “too slow,” “too raw,” or “not coordinated enough”
- Pigeonholed into one position with little development
- Discouraged by coaches who don’t see beyond the current moment
At CBH, we believe those are the players worth fighting for. We don’t see height as a burden—we see it as untapped potential waiting to be unlocked.
CBH is the place where schools may have missed you—but we won’t.
CBH Basketball League exists for the tall athlete who was benched, cut, or overlooked. Like Jordan, SGA, Fultz, and Archibald, your story isn’t finished—it’s just beginning. And we’re here to help you write the next chapter.
CBH’s Role in These Journeys
- Spotting overlooked talent: Just as schools missed these stars early, CBH is designed to find and nurture tall athletes who slip through the cracks.
- Fueling growth mindset: We teach players to view early setbacks as opportunities—not failures.
- Investing in process over status: CBH is where work begins, not ends. If schools give up, we lean i
- Providing tailored mentorship: Players gain access to role models who turned rejection into motivation.
📌 Why This Matters for CBH
- These stories show how raw, tall talent can go unnoticed—especially in middle school.
- CBH isn’t just a league; it’s a second chancefor overlooked bigs to develop the skills missing in early environments.
- We are the home for players who weren’t picked early—because ultimately, selection isn’t final; preparation is.
