As we are in the middle of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, we observe that some college basketball alumni emerge as bright stars on the basketball floor. They have changed their luck from a small team at college to major players at the professional level, contributing a lot to their teams.
Below is an outline of five outstanding players whose performance in college can still be noticed in their prowess during the playoffs.
Top 5 Successful College Basketball Players Competing in the 2025 NBA Playoffs
Donovan Mitchell (Louisville)
Donovan Mitchell remains an exceptionally critical figure for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the first game against the Miami Heat, he came up with 30 points, which became his seventh consecutive 30-point performance in the inaugural playoffs game. This accomplishment matches the record set by Michael Jordan, the former being the NBA best.
Mitchell’s ability to score at will and leadership have served as strong pillars for the Cavaliers. His showing was so good that he had set a benchmark for the team as they are targeting a very deep postseason run.
Derrick White (Colorado)
Derrick White has become one of the most valuable players for the Boston Celtics. Scoring 30 points in the team’s Game 1 win against the Orlando Magic, White was clearly the one to lead the way and sank seven three-point shots.
The fact White was able to really engage himself in the crucial moments proves that he has made significant progress since his college years at the University of Colorado. The fulfillment of his roles is essential to the Celtics as they push for the championship.
In addition to scoring, White had remarkable contributions on defense, locking the paint with two blocks and a steal among which there was a block in transition that really got the team up high.
The way he played was particularly important since the stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had bad shootings, which pointed out White’s role as the main scorer and the one to provide stability.
Ty Jerome (Virginia)
Ty Jerome made a remarkable playoff debut for the Cavaliers, scoring 28 points off the bench, with 16 points in the fourth quarter alone.
His performance provided a significant boost to Cleveland’s offense, demonstrating his readiness for high-pressure situations and reflecting the skills honed during his time at Virginia.
Jimmy Butler (Marquette)
Precisely, Jimmy Butler’s maturity in the game certainly played a vital part in the Golden State Warriors’ triumph. His 38 scored points in the play-in game greatly supported the team in the win over Memphis Grizzlies.
With the playoffs on the line, Butler’s down-to-earth character and his years of fight are an extraordinary combination that enable the team to overcome any obstacle. Handedly.
JD Davison (Alabama)
JD Davison was elected MVP owing to the remarkable performance in the G League Next Up Game, in addition, getting the call-up by the Celtics for the main lineup. His energy and creativity bring a lot of options to the table for the Boston team.
Davison’s journey from Alabama to the NBA is living proof of his determination and is definitely one of the stories of a rookie contributing big time to his team in the playoffs.
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These players exemplify how collegiate excellence can translate into professional success, especially during the high-stakes environment of the NBA Playoffs.
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