They could have been world-beaters or they already got there – and lost it all.

If there is a lesson to be learnt here, it’s don’t do drugs kids.

Here is a list of some of the best athletes in their chosen field and they either were derailed before they got to reach their full potential, or fame went to their heads and they found out the fall from the top of the pile is often a long one.

David Thompson – NBA

David Thompson was one of the most talented players to ever play professional basketball. He had an athleticism that is still rarely seen today. Thompson averaged over 22 points per game over his nine year NBA career, and has the third highest single game scoring effort in the history of the NBA: 73 points. He scored 51 in the first half, and sat out most of the second.

Thompson had the potential to possibly be the greatest player ever, yet his struggles with alcohol and cocaine caused his career to be cut short.