In college basketball, there are always a few standout players who seem destined for greatness in the NBA. However, for whatever reason, not every star player can make a successful transition to the professional ranks.
That said, here are five college basketball stars who didn't quite make it in the NBA.
Trae Young
Trae Young exploded onto the college basketball scene with an incredible freshman season for Oklahoma Sooners. He achieved several remarkable feats at Oklahoma, most notably setting new NCAA single-game and single-season records for three-point field goals.
His performance was so impressive that he was quickly picked for the 2018 NBA Draft. But, unfortunately, despite all of his success in college, Trae hasn’t reached the same expectations in the NBA. Despite his mesmerizing shoots and crafty dribble skills, he has failed to make a great team impact and is yet to become a star player.
Nevertheless, his fans are hopeful that he may put together a couple of stellar seasons in the future.
Marvin Bagley III
Marvin Bagley III was a talented college basketball player with the ability to excel in both offense and defense. His college career was marked by amazing accomplishments, including being named 2018 AAC Player of the Year or ACC freshman of the year, among others.
Sadly, however, his NBA career has not been quite as illustrious as many had hoped, and he was quickly taken off the starting lineup due to unfortunate injuries. Although Bagley's NBA dreams have come up short thus far, his talent and passion remain undeniable, and it will be interesting to see what path he chooses next.
Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter Jr. is no stranger to the world of college basketball. He made an immediate impact during his freshman year with the Missouri Tigers, where he managed to average 10 points and 6 rebounds per game despite suffering a season-ending injury that left him sidelined for much of the season.
His talent seemed destined for a successful NBA career, but unfortunately, his back injury put a strain on his plans of making it to the stars. Michael may not have had a challenging career, he surely has left quite an impression on the college basketball scene through his hard work and determination.
Collin Sexton
Collin Sexton had an outstanding career at the University of Alabama, becoming a two-time All-SEC first-team player and earning conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2018. He was also an AP third-team All-American during his freshman year.
However, he has yet to get things going in the NBA, although he put up a solid 19 points and 3.3 assists per game last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. With lots of talent but still no true breakthrough performance in his first two seasons, Sexton will be looking to prove himself this upcoming season and prove that he has what it takes to make it long-term in the NBA.
Wendell Carter Jr.
Wendell Carter Jr. was a National Finalist for four-star recruits from Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. He went on to star at Duke University and declare himself eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft.
Unfortunately, his professional aspirations took a hit when he could not make it into the NBA after being picked 7th by the Chicago Bulls. However, despite not becoming an official part of the NBA roster, Wendell still demonstrated a lot of potential and promise during his college career.
As a freshman, he led Duke basketball in rebounds and blocks, averaging 13.5 points with 9 rebounds per game and eventually helping them get as far as the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament. His efforts showcased that while he may have been unsuccessful at taking his game to the pros, Wendell Carter Jr. still had what it took to make an impact on college basketball programs across the nation.
In Conclusion
College basketball season is on the horizon. And with it comes another chance for more young men to etch their names in history and leap to the NBA. Although some have successful careers and get closer to becoming legends like LeBron James or Kevin Durant, countless others fall short of expectations.
This year's class will be no different, with all the thrills and excitements to come. And as the season edges closer, you can catch the best odds on FanDuel NCAA basketball to make your prediction of the season.
