To make it big in one college sport is rare, but doing it in two is near superhuman. Across decades of college athletics, a select few athletes not only starred on the basketball court but also excelled in another sport. Some even went on to have legendary professional careers outside the hardwood.
There is no forgetting names like Donovan McNabb, who went from Syracuse quarterback to suiting up for Jim Boeheim’s squad, or Tony Gonzalez, who dunked his way to the Sweet 16 while also being a Cal football phenom. Then there’s Jimmy Graham, who bullied defenders in the paint at Miami before becoming a Pro Bowl tight end.
While all these names are relevant, seven names stand above the rest.
Who are the 7 Greatest Basketball Players Who Played Two Sports?
1. Wilt Chamberlain – Kansas
Wilt Chamberlain wasn’t just a titan of the hardwood; he was also a track and field star. At Kansas, he averaged over 29 points and 18 rebounds a game.
His track and field legacy cannot be forgotten. Chamberlain competed in the high jump and shot put and even ran the 440-yard dash. His blend of size, speed, and coordination made him one of the most complete athletes college sports has seen.
2. Dave DeBusschere – Detroit
Dave DeBusschere was a two-sport standout at the University of Detroit. He has a legacy that will be remembered on both the hard courts and the mound. He led the basketball team in scoring and rebounding for three straight seasons and also starred as a pitcher on the baseball team. His baseball career went beyond college, too.
DeBusschere pitched for the Chicago White Sox and remains one of the few athletes to play in both the NBA and MLB. In the NBA, he played with the New York Knicks, earning eight All-Star selections and two NBA championships. And just for good measure, he also became the youngest head coach in NBA history at 24.
3. Danny Ainge – BYU
Danny Ainge was a triple threat in high school, playing football, baseball, and basketball. But at BYU, it was all about hoops and the occasional MLB appearance. Ainge starred for the Cougars, averaging nearly 21 points per game and winning the Wooden Award in his senior season.
While doing that, he was also playing professional baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays during his college summers. Eventually, he ditched the bat and committed to basketball full-time, going on to play in the NBA for 14 years.
4. Jackie Robinson – UCLA
Jackie Robinson played four sports: basketball, baseball, football, and track. Robinson led the nation in punt return average, topped the Pacific Coast Conference in basketball scoring, and won the NCAA title in the broad jump. Eventually, he left the hoops behind and moved to MLB.
5. Charlie Ward – Florida State
Charlie Ward pulled off one of the most unique double-dips in sports history. At Florida State, he led the Seminoles to a national championship in football and won the Heisman Trophy in 1993. But instead of heading to the NFL, Ward took his talents to the NBA.
Ward was a clutch point guard and played a major role in FSU’s near-Final Four run in ’93. He eventually played 11 seasons in the NBA with the New York Knicks.
6. Scott Burrell – Connecticut
Scott Burrell at UConn amassed over 1,500 points, 750 rebounds, 290 assists, and 300 steals. He was drafted 20th overall in the NBA, but that’s only half the story. Burrell was also a first-round MLB pick twice.
Burrell was first picked by the Mariners, then by the Blue Jays. He chose to pitch in Toronto’s minor league system while still making significant contributions in college basketball. To this day, he remains the only athlete ever to be a first-round draft pick in two professional sports.
7. Tony Gwynn – San Diego State
Tony Gwynn was dishing dimes and draining jumpers at San Diego State. In fact, he played more years of college basketball (four) than baseball (three). Gwynn left SDSU averaging 8.2 assists per game in the 1979-80 season.
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Meanwhile, on the diamond, Gwynn’s batting genius earned him eight batting titles and a spot in Cooperstown. He’s still the only athlete in WAC history to be all-conference in two sports.
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