While the voting format and framework of the NBA All-Star Game tend to make it a popularity contest, an unexpected player occasionally slips into the showcase.

Throughout the last two-plus decades, the contest has seen the surprise inclusion of Theo Ratliff and Kyle Korver, among several others. These unanticipated All-Stars either held a supporting role and/or didn't have huge production.

Surprise, for the record, is not equal to least deserving. Several well-known stars struggled in late-career seasons, but their popularity carried them into the exhibition.

The list reaches back to the 2000 NBA All-Star Game.

Dale Davis (2000)

Through the first eight seasons of his career, Dale Davis averaged 9.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.

Solid? Yes. All-Star? No way, right?

That question found its startling answer in 2000 when the Indiana Pacers big nudged his numbers to 11.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Davis had greater production in 1993-94, his third NBA season, but wasn't remotely on the All-Star radar.

Davis played 14 minutes in the 2000 showcase, finishing with four points, eight boards and one assist.

The Veterans in 2001

The first player to know is Theo Ratliff, a standout shot-blocker for the Philadelphia 76ers who peaked in 2000-01. He collected 12.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game to secure his All-Star nod.

Ratliff, who'd averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks prior to that campaign, missed the 2001 All-Star Game because of a season-ending wrist injury.

And we're only getting started.

Ratliff's replacement was Antonio Davis, a 32-year-old longtime reserve who enjoyed a career season with the Toronto Raptors.

Sacramento Kings center Vlade Divac finally picked up the All-Star call in his 12th season alongside Miami Heat forward and fellow 1989-90 debutant Anthony Mason.

What a year to be an NBA veteran, huh?

Jamaal Magloire (2004)

While 34-year-old Sam Cassell made his All-Star debut, Jamaal Magloire landed his lone appearance in the exhibition.

As his New Orleans Hornets teammate Jamal Mashburn missed the opening half of the season, Magloire edged into the conversation. The center's production improved from 10.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game to 12.1 and 9.4, respectively. Still, he finished fourth in voting at his position. But the coaches' vote awarded him a reserve spot.

Magloire didn't waste his opportunity in the spotlight.

Although the East narrowly fell 136-132, Magloire popped off with a team-high 19 points and eight rebounds.

Chris Kaman (2010)

Chris Kaman tallied then-best outputs of 15.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game during the 2007-08 season. But he, similar to Davis pre-2000, had fallen short of a top-five voting mark.

Why would the future expectation be a trip to the All-Star Game?

Even as the Los Angeles Clippers center registered 20.0 points per game before the All-Star break in 2009-10 (finishing the season with a career best of 18.5), he didn't crack the position's top five. Kaman, nevertheless, joined the club as a replacement for Brandon Roy.

Kaman notched four points in his 11 minutes, then slipped off the All-Star radar for the remainder of his career.

Kyle Korver (2015)

Kyle Korver's shooting prowess was well established by 2014-15. For over a decade, he'd knocked down a sizzling 42.5 percent of his three-pointers while attempting 4.4 per game.

That, however, wrapped up his scouting report.

Nothing changed for Korver that season, save for holding a starting role on a scorching Atlanta Hawks roster. While teammates Paul Millsap, Al Horford and Jeff Teague were chosen as reserves, Korver joined the East roster as an injury replacement for Dwyane Wade.

At least Korver drilled seven triples—tied for the seventh-most in All-Star Game history—in the 2015 spectacle.

Andrew Wiggins (2022)

On paper, Andrew Wiggins isn't a surprise. He entered the league as the first overall selection in the 2014 NBA draft, and top picks are supposed to have All-Star upside.

But his journey wasn't straightforward.

Wiggins held a featured role on the Minnesota Timberwolves and even averaged 23.6 points in 2016-17. However, he built a reputation for high-volume, low-efficiency scoring. His second contract—a five-year, $146.5 million pact—became an eyesore more than anything.

When did he become an All-Star? Naturally, when Wiggins shifted into a supporting role with the Golden State Warriors.

As the fourth-best player on the Golden State roster, his shooting rates soared—although he headed to the All-Star Game putting up a relatively modest 17.7 points per game. Thanks to a boost from K-pop star BamBam, Wiggins was named a starter.