Favorite Player(s) who never made it big in the NBA?

[LeonfromNC]

1. Rafer "Skip to my Lou" Alston (Streetball Legend who bounced around from team to team)
2. Jay Williams (I hate Duke, but I liked watching him play)
3. Randolph Childress (Played with Tim Duncan at Wake Forest and could shoot the lights out)

[theautographkid]

Greg Oden and Brian Scalabrine

[LeonfromNC]

Greg Oden and Brian Scalabrine

I can't tell if that was a serious post or not?

[SelfDestruct808]

I can't tell if that was a serious post or not?

Yah, brian scalabrine is a MONSTER

[n1nesports]

Keon Clark (one of the best shot blockers in the league when he was at his tops).
Terrence Williams, he has a frame like Lebron, and is reaaaaally athletic but didn't blow up.
Carlos Arroyo, he was really fast and had some handles but didn't do too much with it all.
Rod Strickland, too damn underrated, not one all-star appearance and he was a top notch point guard.

[CP3toOKC]

Adam Morrison

[claw11x]

Terrence Williams (still have faith)
Jerryd Bayless (still have faith)
Gerald Green
Jonathan Bender

[SelfDestruct808]

Jonny Flynn, hobby wise. I was going to start and pc him & i'm glad i never did. I was close to buying his NT RPA /99 for around $125-$150 when it first went live. But you never know, MINN was loaded with PG's i believe and then he went to portland. Now idk what's he up to.

[lb_sa]

Ron Mercer - I mean he had a pretty decent career and was on the rise prior to injuries, but man the kid was a talent..

[drob50]

DeJuan Blair :(

[knicks_please]

balkman! a gamecock and a knick?! what could be better...oh maybe his work ethic...it was entirely his fault he couldn't at least become a decent roll player...the dude just could NOT care less lol...but living a large part of my life in SC i became fond of the gamecocks so i was hoping he'd pan out..kind of never thought he would tho...

[Nsingerma11]

Rashad mccants

[Imac7065]

Harold "Baby Jordan" Minor... he was supposed to be the face of the early Miami Heat... dude might have been one of the worst players of all time haha.

Took the Heat about 5 years to recover from him.. until Pat Riley sent the Knicks a fax message :-)

[boston77yankees]

Adam Morrison

[Jin]

Jon Scheyer.. went to my high school and won us a state championship; wished he would make it to the NBA

[UltimateDeron]

Jon Scheyer.. went to my high school and won us a state championship; wished he would make it to the NBA

Glenbrook North. Nice. Scheyer was a stud for them even as a sophomore. His career was ended by Derrick Rose and Simeon though. Great game.

My choice would be Darius Miles. I used to love that guy.

[MikeMamba]

Jimmer!!!!!!!!!!! But he still has a chance if the Kings play him.

He can be something like JJ Reddick

[Kingbudd]

Brent Barry had the genetics and ability, but after winning the dunk competition, never did much after.

[BullsFan747]

He never actually made it to nba, although he probably would have if not for a serious neck injury, but it would have been cool to see ronnie fields in the nba.

[thenwhatjk]

balkman! a gamecock and a knick?! what could be better...oh maybe his work ethic...it was entirely his fault he couldn't at least become a decent roll player...the dude just could NOT care less lol...but living a large part of my life in SC i became fond of the gamecocks so i was hoping he'd pan out..kind of never thought he would tho...

i used to have an auto where he printed out "Kool Renaldo Balkman" on the sticker, it was basically the sweetest card ever

[Tarheelsfan2012]

Marvin Williams, Jay Williams, Sean May and from my franchises on the 2k's Bender and Shaun Livingston.

[MI Rob]

Phillip Champion AKA HOTSAUCE!

[Redemption King]

Gheorghe Muresan

[aclben]

This will date me but here are a few top of mind...

- Randolph Childress, Wake Forest
- Khalid Reeves, Arizona
- Lamond Murray, CAL
- Mark Macon, Temple
- Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech
- Felipe Lopez, St Johns

[Kingbudd]

- Kenny Anderson

According to Panini Kenny Anderson is a star with his release in Past & Present Elusive series. LOL. Just like in the upcoming Gold Standard they have Shane Battier listed as a star.

[WillC]

Shawn Respert
Randolph Childress
Donnell Harvey
James Lang
DerMarr Johnson

...to name just a few.

[Imac7065]

here's another one everyone missed... Earl "The Goat" Manigault.. he was the original street baller and people said he was better than anyone to ever play in the NBA. Ever heard of Rucker park? He more or less made it what it is today.

Drugs took him down.. but I strongly suggest you guys check out the TV movie made about his life.. this guy was incredible.

PS.. to the guy who said Rafer Alston... he derailed his own career. He had a borderline all-star year with the Heat.. and rather than build on that.. he signed with the Raptors for a pay day, and although he had mild success with them and the Rockets, he derailed from there. He ended up back with the heat 2 years ago and got kicked off the team.

[BoxBreaker72]

Mateen cleaves for me...

[Sutantoj]

Sean Rooks

[Imac7065]

LOL the last two posts are ironic as hell for me.. a friend of mine knows both Mateen Cleeves and Sean Rooks.. I think Rooks was Cleeves coach in the D League too

[LeonfromNC]

here's another one everyone missed... Earl "The Goat" Manigault.. he was the original street baller and people said he was better than anyone to ever play in the NBA. Ever heard of Rucker park? He more or less made it what it is today.

Drugs took him down.. but I strongly suggest you guys check out the TV movie made about his life.. this guy was incredible.

PS.. to the guy who said Rafer Alston... he derailed his own career. He had a borderline all-star year with the Heat.. and rather than build on that.. he signed with the Raptors for a pay day, and although he had mild success with them and the Rockets, he derailed from there. He ended up back with the heat 2 years ago and got kicked off the team.

Whether he derailed his career or not, he was still one of my favorite players. Ever seen the very first And 1 mixtape? I was a instant fan the first time I saw Skip play. I still have that original VHS tape lol.

[SportsItUpCards]

Steve Francis

[n1nesports]

Also Robert Pack.

[knicks_please]

i used to have an auto where he printed out "Kool Renaldo Balkman" on the sticker, it was basically the sweetest card ever

Sounds like the sweetest card ever! I love that damn fighting gamecock...that's vintage renaldo...he's much more concerned with having a good time than being a quality basketball player. I never understood why the nuggets gave him a four or five year deal whatever it was...my best guess is that he was a large body in practice that would never complain about playing time. Also he probably begged to stay in Colorado, the dope is great there lol...talk about irony, dropped him for jr hah...I also love his tweet right after he got cut I mean he should probably at least pretend he cares, but then again we are talking about renaldo balkman...'new York was great love da big apple #imout '.
Oh balkman. You are the man!

[knicks_please]

here's another one everyone missed... Earl "The Goat" Manigault.. he was the original street baller and people said he was better than anyone to ever play in the NBA. Ever heard of Rucker park? He more or less made it what it is today.

Drugs took him down.. but I strongly suggest you guys check out the TV movie made about his life.. this guy was incredible.

PS.. to the guy who said Rafer Alston... he derailed his own career. He had a borderline all-star year with the Heat.. and rather than build on that.. he signed with the Raptors for a pay day, and although he had mild success with them and the Rockets, he derailed from there. He ended up back with the heat 2 years ago and got kicked off the team.

Dont forget how he came back to lead the magic to the finals then stan completely #@#@#@#@ed him

[MikeMamba]

I loved Rafer Alston for this hahaha

Rafer Alston Slaps Eddie House NBA Playoffs 2009 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3OuzKpQ3jM)

[JP Lakers Fan]

Herve Dubuisson, a french player from the 80s

[crose]

Dan Dickau, all American for gonzaga

[Karnage]

Bobby Hurley :(

[PDawson21]

Jay Williams--Have a picture with him the day BEFORE his motorcycle accident at Duke.
Jon Scheyer
Shelden "The Landlord" Williams
Mateen Cleaves

[Bxmostwantedsp]

Felipe lopez... Went to high school with him(rice hs harlem USA).... Got him to sign my yearbook freshmen yr... Wat happened!!!!

[minnesotachill]

James White

[fullmetal]

George McCloud
Khalid Reeves
Wesley Person
Stanley Roberts
Isaiah Rider
Sherman Douglas
Dana Barros
Lionel Simmons
Billy Owens

[ajscards101]

Jon Scheyer is one for me! I hope he plays on a summer league team this year

also, Lawrence Moten is one for me also. I saw him play in the ABA a few years back. He was a very nice guy. He didnt really do much in the NBA though

[avjp87]

this is a big stretch but does anyone remember marvin o'connor from st. joes? He was a scoring machine in college and lead them to a deep run in the tourney in the beginning of the 2000's. I remember creating him as a player in nba 2k

[LeonfromNC]

James White

ahhh yes I remember watching him in that dunk contest taking off from the foul line and windmilling it! I was like wow he sure can get up. poor mans gerald green!

[LeonfromNC]

Steve Francis

um Gio, id say Steve Francis was very big in the NBA for his first 6 or so years in the league... he was probably Top 10 at his position. remember his SPx rc auto sold for $500+ at one time... plus Steve Francis was an All-Star multiple times.

[LeonfromNC]

This will date me but here are a few top of mind...

- Randolph Childress, Wake Forest
- Khalid Reeves, Arizona
- Lamond Murray, CAL
- Mark Macon, Temple
- Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech
- Felipe Lopez, St Johns

I thought Kenny Anderson had a decent career... was one of mt fav players in the early 90's

[gonzagacubs]

Basically anyone from Gonzaga and Tulsa who had NBA talent, but hasn't made it/never made it. Adam Morrison was my absolute favorite to watch.

Preston Shumpert was another one. Dude was a baller for the 'Cuse.

I am still holding out hope that Ben Uzoh and Jerome Jordan stick in the leauge.

[SethMurphy]

Gerry McNamara
Lawrence Moten

and Reggie Lewis (I know he was an All-Star but career was cut way short)

[PDawson21]

McNamara! YES....also add Trajan Langdon and Dahntay Jones to the list. Really thought they would be better than what they were/are when they played at Duke.

[murrke03]

James White

best dunker ever!

[GrandTheftRondo]

Tracy McGrady.

He made it big, but could have been so much more. And as someone hailing from SoCal, I can confidently and legitimately say that T-Mac was better than Kobe with respect to skill and ability before injuries derailed him into nothing more than a bench role.

[derotter]

Dejan Bodiroga

A fantastic player in Europe who didn't want to play in the NBA

[murrke03]

Dejan Bodiroga

A fantastic player in Europe who didn't want to play in the NBA

haha

he did shake anthony but it seems like that might have been his only move.

[BostonNut]

Taylor Coppenrath....led UVM to one of the biggest upsets in NCAA history over 'Cuse but never made it to the NBA...

[freethrowtommy]

Drazen Petrovic... he was going to be a superstar before his accident.

Anyone see the 30 for 30 story on him titled "Once Brothers"? It was really good. He was best friends with Vlade Divac before their country was torn by war. Excellent piece.

[hazenuts]

no one mention John Wall ? he was this guy who picked #1 and was purported to be the next Rose, not sure how he is now :)

[mrveggieman]

Len Bias and a kid from Ohio State named Jay Burson. He was averaging 22 ppg during his senior year in 1988-89 before he suffered a neck injury that pretty much killed his career. He could have been a first round draft pick in 1989 but ended up going to the cba and europe for a couple of years.

[jr24ai3]

Ed O'Bannon
Ed Cota
Ademola Okulaja

I didn't think they would be stars, but I thought they would have decent nba careers.

[Fraser9698]

no one mention John Wall ? he was this guy who picked #1 and was purported to be the next Rose, not sure how he is now :)

Maybe because he's just 21 and is in his 1.5th season on a terrible team?

[rmiller1k]

MARCUZ FIZER....i was cursing the nets for taking kenyon that year because i thought fizer was the next karl malone

[LeonfromNC]

no one mention John Wall ? he was this guy who picked #1 and was purported to be the next Rose, not sure how he is now :)

it's wayyyyy to early on John Wall to label him anything yet. he will be fine once he gets a decent supporting cast.

[iwantedapeanut]

There seems to be a curse on Duke players - most of them are either not very good at the NBA level (Mike Dunleavy/Trajan Langdon), end up as decent-but-unremarkable role-players(Battier/Redick) or get their careers cut short by injury (Jay Williams/Bobby Hurley).

On a related note, Corey Maggette was fun to watch at Duke. Unfortunately when Elton Brand decided (correctly) that he was ready for the NBA after 1 year at college, Maggette decided (incorrectly) that he could do the same thing.

Also, is it too early to give up on Michael Beasley?

[Orangejello727]

By year and draft.

93/94
Calbert Chaney
Jamal Mashburn

94/95
Tony Dumas
Eric Montross

95/96
Shawn Respert
Ed O'Bannon

96/97
No one really as they all panned out well for the top drafts


97/98
Keith Van Horn (To a degree)
Tony Battie
Antonio Daniels


98/98
Michael Dickerson
Felipe Lopez
Ricky Davis

99/00
Wally Z
Dion Glover
Jonathan Bender

00/01
Just about the whole draft class except Mo Pete

[theautographkid]

I can't tell if that was a serious post or not?

I was serious about Oden, but joking about Scalabrine

[gonygo]

I met Yinka Dare out in whiteplains at the knicks summer league over 10 yrs ago and he was really nice. He had the physical gifts, but like they say in the wizard of oz w the scarecrow... If he only had a brain. lol

[n1nesports]

George McCloud
Stanley Roberts

I agree with these 2.

[kingjaymes]

Ed O'Bannon
Ed Cota
Ademola Okulaja

I didn't think they would be stars, but I thought they would have decent nba careers.

Thank GOD someone said Ed COTA...dude was a STUD in college. Wasn't even drafted...no respect. At least he went on to win championships in every other league around the world.

[Drdduet]

Len Bias
Jamaal Mashburn
Bobby Hurley--what a scrapper, every team needs a scrapper.

[jsmitty7]

does Big Country Bryant Reeves and his weight issues qualify?

[baab200]

Jonny Flynn
Jay Williams (Duke)
Trajon Langdon
Pepe Sanchez
Darius Miles

And in a different sort of way Baron Davis

[eenyc21]

Julius Hodge

[RetailChamp]

Khalid El-Amin
Miles Simon
Ed Cota
McNamara
Torrell Martin (Led Winthrop to 4 straight NCAA appearances ... nicest guy in the world too)

[Fraser9698]

I always though Joe Forte would find a spot...

[Fraser9698]

To add another one...Rod Grizzard

[oshmeehan]

These aren't favorite players of mine or anything and maybe some have been mentioned, but:

Ed O'Bannon
Sharone Wright
Trajan Langdon
Rodney White
Bo Kimble

[lb_sa]

I've seen Jamal Mashburn mentioned...

He was pretty damn good before his injury. I would say he still made it pretty big, but he definitely wasn't able to be what he could have been.

I mean his career average was over 19 points per game thru 13 seasons. His first 3 seasons he averaged 19, 24, and 24. If only he didn't get hurt, I really loved Mashburn. But I'd still say that he was way too accomplished to be listed here, along with McGrady.

I almost think this thread would be better suited for players that just never panned out minus injury. I hate putting great players down because of an injury that totally changed everything for them.

[bbplaya11]

Jack mcclintion was my favorite player in college, hee got drafted by th spurs but later told them to drop him so we could go play overseas

[bogeyfreeround]

My list:
Lue Roe
Pepe sanchez
Lavell Blanchard
Miles Simon
Cory Alexander
Cuanzo Martin

[Ramonster]

96/97
No one really as they all panned out well for the top drafts

John Wallace.

[Quigley24]

Jay Williams
Dajuan Wagner
James Johnson
Dee Brown (Illini alumni from 2005)

[DCN12586]

As a State fan and someone who watched him play in person, I loved watching Jarvis Varnardo. I always thought if he added weight he would have been good in the NBA, but never did.

[bigmick33]

Greg Oden and Hank Gathers! Both COULD have been great pro players.

[Nsingerma11]

Ed O'Bannon
Ed Cota
Ademola Okulaja

I didn't think they would be stars, but I thought they would have decent nba careers.

Ed Cota was so good. Could have played in the league.

[DCN12586]

Greg Oden and Hank Gathers! Both COULD have been great pro players.

Never got to watch a game of him, but did watch the 30 for 30 documentary on him and yes I would say he would've made it big as Bias would've as well.

[HartFan]

Jonny Flynn, hobby wise. I was going to start and pc him & i'm glad i never did. I was close to buying his NT RPA /99 for around $125-$150 when it first went live. But you never know, MINN was loaded with PG's i believe and then he went to portland. Now idk what's he up to.

Yeah, i made the jump to collect him. So far lookin like a bad decision :( but Ill keep the hope alive until he's officaly out of the NBA :o

But im from the Syracuse area, so it wasnt completly on hoping he was good, just like watching him play, espically in that 7OT game :flex:

[brentus777]

Acie Law IV

[ronaldo943]

Michael Jordan

[JOHNJOHNNY]

here's another one everyone missed... Earl "The Goat" Manigault.. he was the original street baller and people said he was better than anyone to ever play in the NBA. Ever heard of Rucker park? He more or less made it what it is today.

Drugs took him down.. but I strongly suggest you guys check out the TV movie made about his life.. this guy was incredible.

PS.. to the guy who said Rafer Alston... he derailed his own career. He had a borderline all-star year with the Heat.. and rather than build on that.. he signed with the Raptors for a pay day, and although he had mild success with them and the Rockets, he derailed from there. He ended up back with the heat 2 years ago and got kicked off the team.

don cheadle played him in the movie

[n1nesports]

Jonny Flynn
Jay Williams (Duke)
Trajon Langdon
Pepe Sanchez
Darius Miles

And in a different sort of way Baron Davis

Darius Miles was big for a good 2 years, popularity wise, and Baron Davis as well.

[n1nesports]

no one mention John Wall ? he was this guy who picked #1 and was purported to be the next Rose, not sure how he is now :)

John Wall has made it big, just because his team didn't reach the playoffs doesn't mean his popularity isn't high. If his autos were $2 then I would agree with you.

[n1nesports]

Guys like Mashburn/McGrady/Wall deserver no mention in this thread, they are all stars and graced covers of magazines/video games. Popularity isn't an issue for them.

[JOHNJOHNNY]

There seems to be a curse on Duke players - most of them are either not very good at the NBA level (Mike Dunleavy/Trajan Langdon), end up as decent-but-unremarkable role-players(Battier/Redick) or get their careers cut short by injury (Jay Williams/Bobby Hurley).

On a related note, Corey Maggette was fun to watch at Duke. Unfortunately when Elton Brand decided (correctly) that he was ready for the NBA after 1 year at college, Maggette decided (incorrectly) that he could do the same thing.

Also, is it too early to give up on Michael Beasley?

did you just say corey maggette? you do realize he has been a 20 ppg scorer in the league for at least 3 years in his career? career 15 ppg scorer and has made close to 100 mil in money.

He should not be on the list, he made it big.

[DrJ Converse]

Sean May - Had a temendous NCAA run and actually looked like he could be a decent back to the basket player as an NBA PF however injuries derailed his career.

Shawn Bradley - Picked #2 overall after C.Webb. The Sixers thought he was going to develop in the next great big man.

John Wall - I will add him as well though it may be too early. Any #1 pick who does not turn into a Franchise type player has to be considered a bust on a certain level. He has stayed flat from his freshman year which was disappointing to see. Expected much more out of him this year.

[gonzagacubs]

Acie Law IV

One of my absolute favorites to watch in college.

[skycat]

Sean Williams - he played very well his first year and then disappear after that.
Yi Jianlian
Lebron James - the pressure continues, unless he wins a ring.
Vince Carter - Love his dunk but I expected him to win at least a ring with his athletic ability back in the day.
Darko Millicic - the human victory cigar, lol.

[Homerun]

Howard Wansley

[skycat]

Adam Morrison - Got to be the stache...lol

[LeonfromNC]

Adam Morrison - Got to be the stache...lol

Ahhh how did I forget Morrison? a beast in college and then he just fell off the map. I got lucky to watch him play a couple seasons with the Bobcats and have a few decent games.