The Top 10 College Ballers of the 2000s That Never Made It In The NBA

When the basketball is sent into the air tomorrow night in what I imagine will be a breath-snatching atmosphere in Lucas Oil Stadium, another Final Four, with it's own passion, story, and heroes will be upon us.

Past Final Fours have featured Cinderella at the ball, pitted David against Goliath, and have been the place where the Titans clash.

In the tireless and unpredictable journey through the NCAA Tournament, we've seen many illustrious careers come and go. Some have ended in championship triumph, while others have finished with the sting of defeat.

Some players saw their fame grow under the bright lights of the NBA. For the majority of the college stars however, the climax of fame was reached while they represented their university proudly.

Here's an ode to those players that we'll remember for their time on the college hardwood...

(Qualifications this particular list—Must have played all four years, without any NBA success following college)....

Second Team PG - Levance Fields, Pittsburgh

There weren't many players who fit more perfectly into the college game than Fields did. He proved that it's possible to stand below 6'0'' in your kicks, carry a little extra weight, and still play at the highest level.

Fields gradually improved in his four years in Oakland, and his senior year put the most fitting cap on his college career.

He never averaged more than 12 points per game, and was actually better during his last season, when he barely reached the double-digit scoring mark per contest.

Ice-water surely drifted through this man's veins. He took and hit countless clutch three's during Big East play, and who can forget his fearless jumpers against Xavier and Villanova in last year's tournament?

We all knew his game, size, and speed wouldn't translate to the NBA, that's what just made his time at Pittsburgh that much more interesting. Rarely did Fields not leave every last ounce of effort on the court.

Second Team SG - Steve Logan, Cincinnati

If this name doesn't instantly come to mind, Logan was the silky-smooth scorer who played along Kenyon Martin on some great Cincinnati teams during the early stages of the 2000s.

Though Martin has brought his dunking ways to the NBA and made a good name for himself, Logan never got the chance as a professional in America. Sad.

Logan averaged 22 points per game in 2001-2002, and was a first team All-American. He was a reserved, quiet player, who calmly dismantled his opponent's chance to win any basketball game. With Logan, it was lights out from deep, and even at 6'0'', there was no issue getting to the rack.

Martin was the physical and intimidating force, but Logan was the leader of those dominant squads.

If only Martin didn't get hurt....

Second Team SF - Daniel Ewing, Duke

Maybe a little out of position for the 6'3'' Ewing, but he did play a little small forward when J.J. Redick and Chris Duhon made up the Blue Devil backcourt during his time in Durham.

Ewing's numbers increased all four years at Duke, and no one performed better in the shadows of other stars. He shot over 40 percent from long-range in three of his four college seasons, and welcomed contact on slashes to the basket.

He was that one player who would hit the critical three when Redick, Duhon, or Jones were locked up, then would shut down your team's top scorer at the other end.

A fierce competitor, Ewing always showed up against Carolina. He defined collegiate combo guard.

An outstanding Dukie who had somewhat of an unheralded career.

Second Team PF - Craig Smith, Boston College

You want four years of steady production? Craig Smith's your guy. He averaged 20 a game his freshman season in the Big East, and hovered in that area the remainder of his career.

Smith, at 6'7'', 250, used his body to his full advantage, but was agile enough to create his own shot in the intermediate post.

He came to play every evening, and was a tenacious rebounder for Al Skinner, averaging eight or more rebounds in all four years at Chestnut Hill.

Smith deserves a lot more credit than he received while he was in college, a true frontcourt warrior.

Second Team C - Kevin Pittsnogle, West Virginia

Boy, were those WVU teams fun to watch.

Though Pittsnogle's head nearly scraped the wood when he stepped through a seven-foot tall walkway, he embraced the outside shooting touch given to him by the basketball gods.

Call him the impoverished man's Dirk Nowitzki.

He had a full repertoire of moves on the low post, and could get aggressive working down low if need be.

But because of his uncanny ability to knock down threes, he often brought shot-blockers out of the paint, thus opening up lanes for guys like Mike Gansey and Darris Nichols.

Seemed to really love his time atop Morgantown.

First Team PG - Salim Stoudamire, Arizona

Stoudamire mainly played the point during his career as a Wildcat, but this guy could flat-out shoot the rock.

He never shot below 40 percent from deep in his four-year career under Lute Olson, shot 50 percent from three his senior year, and 79 percent was by far the worst Stoudamire ever shot from the stripe.

Whenever Stoudamire released, you thought...count it. His unorthodox southpaw stroke made him one of the best three-point shooters of his time.

He really put on a shooting clinic every time out.

First Team SG - Gerry McNamara, Syracuse

G-Mac shined from the moment he stepped into the Dome his freshman season.

McNamara, a standout from Scranton, Pa., didn't enter college a top recruit, but sure played like one during his tenure at Syracuse.

He moved into his role of point guard and three-point specialist in the Orange's championship run of 2003, and never let up.

He'll be remembered for the various times he hit unthinkable shots, especially at Madison Square Garden during the Big East tournament...ask Cincinnati Bearcat fans.

He played exquisitely in Carmelo Anthony's shadow, and transformed into a team leader in his senior campaign.

McNamara was truly one of those college players who performed better on the biggest stages.

First Team PF - Julius Hodge, NC State

How long did Julius Hodge play college ball for? Seemed like the entire decade. This Harlem product willed his under-appreciated Wolfpack just about every night in the daunting ACC.

Hodge's impact was felt immediately in Raleigh, and each year his teammates relied on him more and more.

He's known for his gritty performance in a win against a supposed Final Four-bound UConn team in 2005, though Hodge got the job done in so many different ways, so many different times.

His lanky 6'7'' body and underrated athleticism made him puzzling for opponents to figure out.

Tough as nails.

First Team SF - Andre Emmett, Texas Tech

Though he didn't play his first season in Lubbock, Emmett absolutely exploded onto the scene as a sophomore in 2002.

He and Bob Knight battled during his career, but Emmett emerged one of the most disciplined, and best players the iconic Knight ever coached.

He shot 50 percent every season at Texas Tech, as a 6'5'', not overly athletic wing player, and became the Red Raiders all-time leading scorer.

Emmett played exactly how Knight wanted him to, and grew as a player each season.

A three-time All-American, he demonstrated how hard work can really pay off.

First Team C - Sheldon Williams, Duke

He's currently on the Celtics, but Williams will be remembered most for his time as the "Landlord" of Durham.

He entered college somewhat of a clumsy big man, but Coach K morphed Williams into one of the premier shot blockers of his era.

He averaged three blocks per game in all four years as a Blue Devil, and opponents didn't even consider entering the paint with him posted up inside the blocks.

Each season Williams' offensive production improved...in his senior season, he averaged 19 a game in a highly competitive ACC.

Your Thoughts....

By all means, this is just my opinion, it's nearly impossible to pick only 10 players.

There are so many other outstanding players who shined in college during the 2000s...Hollis Price, Adam Morrison, Alano Tucker, Acie Law to name a few...

Have additions to the list? Let me know below, would love to see a friendly debate...