From Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox lighting it up in Sacramento after Kentucky to RJ Barrett and Cam Reddish’s Duke-to-Knicks journey, these college-to-pro moments are iconic.
But amidst the many names, there are few who made the history of the hardwood as duos and trios.
Top 5 College Basketball Teammates Who Made It in the NBA
Walter McCarty, Ron Mercer, and Antoine Walker | Kentucky
There is no talking about NBA history without talking about Kentucky. And back in the late ‘90s, the Boston Celtics had their mini-Wildcat reunion.
Walter McCarty, Ron Mercer, and Antoine Walker weren’t just teammates; they were part of the 1996 squad dubbed “The Untouchables.”
The team had nine future NBA players. Walker was the first to land in Boston, a No. 6 pick in ’96. Mercer followed as the Celtics’ top pick the next year. McCarty was drafted 19th in ’96 but made his way to Boston in ’97.
Together, they played brilliant games for the Celtics and showed the world that the blue-blood chemistry doesn’t fade.
Tony Delk, McCarty, and Walker | Kentucky
A few years later, the Boston Celtics drafted more Kentucky Wildcats. This time, Tony Delk joined McCarty and Walker for a 2001-03 run.
Delk was the high-scorer on that 1996 UK title team, dropping 17.8 a game. Delk landed with the Celtics in 2002. For fans, it felt like a college reunion tour, but with NBA stakes and green jerseys for a change.
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo | Villanova
Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo all played for the New York Knicks after their hard-court journey in Villanova.
They helped the Knicks survive Philly in Round 1 and get an early edge over the Pacers. Brunson’s leading with 36.6 points a game, Hart’s getting 12+ boards, and DiVincenzo’s threes were everything the team needed.
And they had done it all before. In Villanova, they were roommates and even two-time champions.
Grayson Allen, Justice Winslow, and Tyus Jones | Duke
Before Grayson Allen, Justice Winslow, and Tyus Jones wore the Grizzlies jerseys, they wore Duke’s blues and whites.
In 2015, they led the Blue Devils to a national title. Winslow and Jones left for the NBA right after, while Allen stayed longer.
A few trades and years later, all three of them were playing together in Memphis in 2020. It wasn’t a long run, but it was a full-circle moment.
DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic | USC
DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic didn’t overlap for long at USC, but their Trojan roots run deep in their NBA story. DeRozan was the high-flying one-and-done in 2008–09, while Vucevic developed into a first-round pick two years later.
KEEP READING: Colleges With the Most NBA Players in 2025
Fast forward a decade, and they reunited in Chicago, bringing West Coast ties to the Windy City.
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