AI Reveals: 30 NCAA Superstars Who Turned Out to Be NBA Flops
Buzzer-beaters, flashy dunks, and nail-biting moments – college basketball is the breeding ground for stars, where players capture our hearts with their heroics on the court. But sometimes, their stardom is limited to the college game, and they fail to make a mark in the big leagues. We’re talking about the college basketball superstars who flopped in the NBA.
These players lit up the NCAA with their skills but couldn’t replicate their success in the NBA for one reason or another. In this list, we won’t be talking about your typical draft busts, but only players who played at least three seasons in the NCAA and were considered among the 100 greatest men’s college basketball players of all time. From Adam Morrison to Ed O’Bannon, AI ranked these players according to how badly they flopped in the NBA.
33. Drew Gooden
Drew Gooden was a force to be reckoned with during his time at Kansas, leading the nation in rebounding and helping the Jayhawks win their first conference title in years. His impressive college career earned him the fourth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, where he quickly made an impact as an All-Rookie first-teamer.
However, Gooden’s journey in the NBA was rocky, with multiple trades and team changes preventing him from finding a permanent home. While he enjoyed a solid 14-year career, Gooden never reached the stardom expected of him after his standout college years. Despite falling short of expectations, Gooden’s journey from college superstar to NBA journeyman is a testament to his resilience and determination.
32. Jason Williams
Jason Williams, known for his flashy plays and impressive stats in college, was poised for greatness in the NBA. However, multiple off-court incidents, including a drug suspension, saw him struggle to live up to the hype. Williams couldn’t shake his personal issues despite earning the nickname “White Chocolate” and showing flashes of brilliance on the court.
He bounced around to multiple teams and was involved in a verbal altercation with a columnist, leading to another trade. Williams’ career ended with solid but unspectacular performances, leaving fans to wonder what could have been had he been able to keep his personal life in check.
31. Ben McLemore
Ben McLemore’s time at Kansas was nothing short of impressive. He burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman, earning Second-Team All-American honors. He cemented himself as a surefire lottery pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. However, his transition to the NBA was not smooth sailing. Despite showing glimpses of potential, he never reached the stardom expected of him.
After four underwhelming seasons with the Sacramento Kings, McLemore’s career took a turn as he became a journeyman, bouncing around the league in search of a stable role. McLemore may still play in the NBA, but his career pales compared to his dominant college performance.
30. Wesley Johnson
After being named the Big East Player of the Year and leading Syracuse to a top seed in the NCAA Tournament, Wesley Johnson had high hopes going into the NBA Draft. Johnson was selected fourth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and is expected to become a star in the league. Unfortunately, his career never quite lived up to expectations.
Despite starting for two seasons in Minnesota, Johnson never reached the same level of success that he had at Syracuse, and he struggled to make an impact as he bounced around the NBA over the next decade. The Timberwolves also missed out on drafting several future All-Stars, disappointing Johnson’s NBA career.