March Madness has produced some unforgettable stars, but not all found the same success professionally. Here’s a fresh look at 10 NCAA Tournament heroes whose NBA careers didn’t match their college brilliance.
Top 10 March Madness Players Who Did Not Pan Out in NBA
1. Greg Oden (Ohio State)
Dominating the paint for Ohio State, Oden averaged 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds in his lone collegiate season and led the Buckeyes to the 2007 national title game. Drafted first overall by Portland, he was expected to anchor their future. However, chronic knee injuries limited him to only 105 NBA games across five seasons, making him one of the league’s most unfortunate busts.
2. Adam Morrison (Gonzaga)
Known for his scoring outbursts, Morrisons scored 28.1 points per game during the 2005–06 season at Gonzaga and carried the Bulldogs to the Sweet 16. Drafted third overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2006, he struggled with the NBA’s physicality and defense. Injuries only worsened his situation. Though he later won two titles with the Lakers, he played a minimal role.
3. Ed O’Bannon (UCLA)
O’Bannon played a key role for UCLA in the 1995 national championship drive by racking up an average of 20.4 points and 8.3 rebounds. Chosen as the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament, he was thrust with the NBA’s high hopes. Despite being the ninth selection of the New Jersey Nets, he had to quit after a short stay of two seasons because of injuries and inconsistency.
4. Tyrus Thomas (LSU)
Thomas turned heads during LSU’s Final Four run in 2006, showcasing elite athleticism and shot-blocking. He averaged 12.3 points and 9.2 boards that year. Selected fourth overall by the Bulls in 2006—after being traded for LaMarcus Aldridge—Thomas never reached star status. Inconsistency defined his eight-year career, where he averaged 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds.
5. Jimmer Fredette (BYU)
“Jimmermania” peaked in 2011 when Fredette lit up college hoops, finishing his final season with 28.9 points per game. He hit 39% of his threes in college. Drafted 10th overall by Milwaukee and immediately traded to Sacramento, Fredette never adjusted to the NBA’s pace or defensive scheme—his career NBA averages 6.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.
6. Bo Kimble (Loyola Marymount)
Kimble rose to fame nationally when he scored 35.0 points in four games of the NCAA tournament 1990. Despite being drafted number eight overall by the Clippers, his scoring in the NBA was not the same. He played briefly and in quiet mode, and his career was over with 5.5 points per game.
7. Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State)
Cleaves was the floor general behind Michigan State’s 2000 championship, posting 11.8 points and 6.9 assists per game that season. Drafted 14th overall, he bounced between teams and saw limited minutes. Over six NBA seasons, he averaged just 3.6 points and 2.1 assists.
8. Marcus Fizer (Iowa State)
Averaging 22.8 points and 7.7 rebounds, Fizer powered Iowa State in the 2000 tournament. Selected fourth overall by Chicago, Fizer couldn’t adjust to the NBA tempo and suffered injuries that limited his impact. He ended with 9.6 points and 5.6 boards per game.
9. Sean May (North Carolina)
May starred in UNC’s 2005 championship run, earning MOP honors with 17.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game that season. He was drafted 13th by Charlotte, but conditioning issues and injuries limited him to four seasons. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.0 rebounds.
10. Rumeal Robinson (Michigan)
Remembered for his crucial free throws in Michigan’s 1989 triumph, Robinson scored 15.4 points and provided 5.1 assists on average in college.
KEEP READING: Top 10 Players Who Became Legends in Just 1 March Madness Run
He was the 7th pick in the 1990 draft, but he never managed to be an NBA player who could deliver performances without fluctuations.
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