Philadelphia 76ers player Tobias Harris has achieved a remarkable feat in the world of basketball, becoming the highest-paid NBA player in history to never have earned an All-Star selection, amassing a career salary of $211 million.


In an interview, Harris shed light on the challenges faced by players aiming for an All-Star spot, emphasizing that only a select few can secure this prestigious accolade.


Tobias Harris, born on July 15, 1992, began his NBA journey when he was drafted as the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft.


Currently under a lucrative five-year, $180 million contract that expires in the summer of 2024, he's set to earn an impressive $40.96 million for the upcoming season. Harris's most outstanding season to date was in 2018-19 when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers, featuring in 55 games and averaging 20.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.


Throughout his NBA career, Harris has participated in a total of 827 regular-season games, including 707 starts. His contributions encompass an average of 16.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game, with notable three-point shooting percentages: 47.8%, 36.9%, and 83.1%.


Despite never making an All-Star roster, Harris, who will be only 32 years old next summer, remains poised for the opportunity to secure another big contract.


Another active player who shares Harris's absence from All-Star honors despite amassing nearly $200 million in career earnings is CJ McCollum.


Born on September 19, 1991, McCollum was drafted as the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft. He boasts 665 career regular-season games, including 568 starts, with contributions of 19.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game.


McCollum's consistency shines through, having averaged 20 points per game for eight consecutive seasons, with his best numbers recorded in the 2020-21 season, where he played in 47 regular-season games for the Portland Trail Blazers and averaged 23.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 0.9 steals per game, displaying an impressive three-point shooting percentage of 45.8%, 40.2%, and 81.2%. In the highly competitive Western Conference, securing an All-Star nod remains an uphill battle for CJ.


Interestingly, the player who recently retired from the NBA, Jamal Crawford, also fell into the category of never having earned an All-Star selection throughout his career. He is renowned for his impressive career performance, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award three times.


Crawford's career saw him shine during the 2007-08 season when he played 80 regular-season games for the New York Knicks, contributing 20.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal per game. His three-point shooting percentages stood at 41%, 35.6%, and 86.4%.


Harris's sentiments regarding the All-Star selection process hold merit. All-Star selections consider not only individual statistics but also team performance.


For instance, in the 2014-15 season, the Atlanta Hawks had four players chosen for the All-Star Game, despite none being renowned for outstanding individual statistics.


This was primarily due to the team's remarkable record in the Eastern Conference, which propelled them to the top spot. This illustrates the impact of team success on All-Star selections.