If you haven’t heard of Jeremy Lin by now, you must be living under a rock. SPORTSNET.CA put together a list of some other unlikely super stars.

Rich Franklin

Before turning to Mixed Martial Arts, 'Ace' was teaching high-school mathematics in Cincinnati, Ohio. After transferring careers, Franklin compiled a 28-6-1 record to go along with a reign as the UFC Middleweight Champion.

Fred Jackson

After not being offered a single scholarship as a high school senior in Texas, the Buffalo Bills running back attended Coe College, a Division-III school in Iowa. Jackson then spent two years playing arena football, a year in NFL Europe, then finally found a spot on the Bills roster. He has been a bright spot on the lowly Bills roster since his arrival in 2006.

Jose Bautista

He holds the distinction as the only player in MLB history to be on five different teams in a season. Bautista accomplished that feat in his rookie season no less. He finally found some consistent playing time with Pittsburgh, and was later traded to Toronto in 2008, but it wasn’t until the 2010 season that Bautista started cranking dingers left, right (rarely), and centre.

Ed Belfour

'The Eagle' was one of the best goaltenders of his generation, and was recognized for that last year with his induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame. But many people did't see that shining career coming; Belfour wasn't drafted.

Kurt Warner

Everyone knows the magnificent story of Warner, who wasn't offered an NFL job and was forced to work two other jobs; arena football league quarterback, and grocery clerk. He finally landed with the St. Louis Rams in 1998, and the following year led the Rams to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.

Fernando Valenzuela

The Dodgers rookie went a sensational 8-0 in the first eight starts of his 1981 rookie season, including five shutouts. That same year, he became the first and only pitcher to win both Rookie of the Year and Cy Young honours.

Ben Wallace

Undrafted, ‘Big Ben’ spent the first four years of his NBA career as a little-known centre in Washington and Orlando. He was then shipped to Detroit as a part of the Grant Hill sign-and-trade. He blossomed in the Motor City, winning four defensive player of the year awards.

Victor Cruz

Cruz took the NFL by storm this year after sitting out his rookie year with a knee injury. The undrafted rookie out of the University of Massachusetts had a brilliant campaign, playing a crucial role in the Giants Super Bowl seaosn.

Martin St. Louis

A three-time Hobey Baker finalist as the NCAA's top college player, St. Louis still wasn't drafted. He was cut by the Ottawa Senators, released by the Calgary Flames, before finally staying on with Tampa Bay and helping them win a Stanley Cup in 2004.