Ranking the Best NBA Careers of NCAA Champions

It goes without saying that the best NCAA performances don't always translate into superlative NBA careers.

Conventional logic may suggest that NCAA champions have all the makings of NBA stars, but history isn't always so kind to these collegiate wonders. After taking Duke to a title in 2001, Jay Williams' career with the Chicago Bulls was tragically cut short by a motorcycle accident just two years later.

Other NCAA champions—like Christian Laettner—managed to stick it out in the NBA for years without discovering the potential seemingly guaranteed by so much early success.

Nevertheless, a few have managed to claim NCAA titles and standout NBA careers alike.

Here are 25 such crossover stars ranked by their professional accomplishments.

25. Joakim Noah (2007-Present)

Perhaps it's a bit soon to include Noah on this list, but by all indications he's well on his way to an NBA career marked by personal and team success alike.

The 6'11'' center won two NCAA championships with Florida in 2006 and 2007 and stands a good chance of helping the Chicago Bulls win their first title since Michael Jordan was around.

Noah has made a name for himself with defensive intensity and hustle, anchoring Chicago's low post while Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer do all the rest.

Few bigs in the NBA run the floor as well as Noah, and his hard work at both ends of the floor suggests he'll continue to be a formidable presence for a long time to come. The five-year, $60 million deal he signed with Chicago in 2010 guarantees he'll be doing so for the Bulls.

24. Al Horford (2007-Present)

Al Horford was Noah's teammate on those 2006 and 2007 championship teams, and his NBA career has gotten off to a similarly impressive start with the Atlanta Hawks. While Horford has been sidelined for most of this season with a torn pectoral muscle, he's already been named an Eastern Conference All-Star twice.

Only 25, the forward/center's best years may still be ahead of him.

Though Noah has the better odds of claiming an NBA championship in the near future, Horford has the inside track to personal accolades. The Dominican standout has a nice mid-range game and an arsenal of nifty post moves that should guarantee him 15-and-10-type numbers for the better part of the decade.

23. Jason Terry (1999-Present)

Jason Terry has averaged 15 points over his 13-year NBA career and earned a reputation as a lethal sixth man capable of making the clutch shot when needed.

He's also one of the few guys who's netted championships at both the collegiate and professional levels—he got one with Arizona in 1997 and with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.

Terry thinks he can play until he's 40 and may end up chasing rings with a contender like the Miami Heat if Dallas doesn't show him the money. That certainly wouldn't hurt his already noteworthy career accomplishments one bit.

22. Antoine Walker (1996-2008/Present)

For all intents and purposes, the Antoine Walker we all know stopped playing basketball in 2008 after an anticlimactic stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

However, the 6'9'' forward attempted a comeback this year in the Development League, keeping alive some hope that his 12-year NBA run isn't over just yet.

After claiming his NCAA championship with Kentucky in 1996, Walker went on to average 17.5 points and 7.7 rebounds in a professional career that saw him play with five different teams and win a title with the Miami Heat in 2006.

Walker's sometimes inconsistent play and penchant for taking deep three-pointers were sure to frustrate fans, but he stood out for his ability to play an inside-outside game that remains rare for players of his stature.

21. Richard Hamilton (1999-Present)

Richard Hamilton signed with the Chicago Bulls this season to give Derrick Rose another scorer on the wing, but he'll be best remembered for his nine seasons with the Detroit Pistons in which he often served as the team's featured scorer.

The masked sharpshooter won a championship with Connecticut in 1999 and played a central role in the Pistons' 2004 title.

Though Hamilton doesn't score as prolifically as he did in his prime, he's averaged 17.5 points for his career while shooting at 45 percent. At times, his mid-range jumper has been as accurate as anyone's, and the lanky shooting guard became a master of coming off screens and hitting quick shots. 

Don't be surprised to see Hamilton get another ring or two if he can hang on with the Bulls for another few years.

20. Carlos Boozer (2002-Present)

Carlos Boozer may be struggling to live up to expectations with the Chicago Bulls, but he's averaged close to a double-double for his career and put up fantastic numbers in his six seasons with the Utah Jazz, including two seasons in which he averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds.

In his 10th season, Boozer remains a very capable power forward even as he remains in search of his first NBA championship. He got his NCAA hardware in 2001 with Duke but so far has only gotten as close as the conference finals with the Jazz and Bulls alike.

19. Larry Johnson (1991-2001)

Larry Johnson played power forward for the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks, always managing to play bigger than one would expect from his 6'7" stature.

Thanks to his explosive ability inside and decent range, LJ was named to the All-Star team in 1993 and 1995—at his best, he averaged 22.1 points and 10.5 rebounds alongside Alonzo Mourning on the Hornets.

Johnson got his NCAA championship with UNLV in 1990, but the closest he came to an NBA title was the New York Knicks' loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the 1999 NBA Finals.

18. Jamaal Wilkes (1974-1985)

Jamaal Wilkes won two NCAA championships with Bill Walton and the UCLA Bruins, setting the stage for an impressive NBA career with the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers (along with a brief stint with the Clippers at the end of his run).

A three-time All-Star, Wilkes' crowning achievement was playing an important complementary role on four championship teams. Beyond his sound defensive skills, Wilkes averaged 17.7 points and 6.2 rebounds over the course of a 12-year career.

17. Danny Manning (1988-2003)

Danny Manning was an NCAA champion with Kansas and went on to have a productive 15-year career in the NBA.

While injuries took their toll on Manning's career, he averaged 22.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his finest season. The 6'10" forward brought a versatility to the game that was ahead of its time and earned two NBA All-Star selections to show for it.

We may never know how good a healthy Manning could have become over time, but he certainly laid the blueprint for long small forwards like Luol Deng.

16. Glen Rice (1989-2004)

Glen Rice notched titles at both the collegiate and professional levels—with the Michigan Wolverines in 1989 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000.

His most significant NBA contributions came with the Miami Heat, however, where he averaged 20 or more points in three of his six seasons. Rice helped put Miami's expansion club on the map and carved out a niche as the young franchise's biggest star.

The three-time All-Star averaged over 18 points per game for his career and was a consistent long-range threat, even beating out Reggie Miller at the 1995 All-Star Long Distance Shootout.

15. David Thompson (1975-1984)

If one or two outstanding seasons made a professional career, few would be better than David Thompson's. The four-time All-Star won his college title in 1974 with North Carolina State but saved his best individual performances for the NBA.

The 6'4" guard had a Kobe-like season in 1977-1978, nearly snatching the scoring title from George Gervin while averaging 27.2 points (on 52 percent shooting), 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Nevertheless, Thompson struggled to remain such a prolific scorer, and his career took a downturn after 1981 thanks to injuries and off-court difficulties.

14. Bill Walton (1974-1987)

Bill Walton won two championships with UCLA and then another two at the pro level with the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics.

The two-time All-Star was named NBA Finals MVP in 1977 and the league MVP in 1978. A world-class defender and rebounder, Walton's career took a bit of a dive due to untimely foot and ankle injuries.

In comparison, the center's collegiate career was even more dominant—he was twice named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player and was named College Player of the Year three times.

13. Jerry Lucas (1962-1974)

Jerry Lucas won an NCAA title in 1960 with the Ohio State Buckeyes and went on to become a seven-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion with the New York Knicks in 1973.

He made three All-NBA first teams with the Cincinnati Royals and became one of the league's most dominant rebounders. From 1964 to 1969, only Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell had more rebounds. Lucas got his share as a forward, no less.

Lucas was eventually traded to the Knicks and provided New York critical depth in the paint with Willis Reed struggling through injury in 1972 and facing reduced minutes the subsequent season.

12. Carmelo Anthony (2003-Present)

After winning the NCAA championship as a freshman with Syracuse in 2003, Carmelo Anthony left for the bright lights of the NBA, eventually finding his way to the even brighter lights of New York City.

It took him no time at all to become one of the game's most prolific and talented scorers, capable of playing an inside-outside game that would make most wing players of his profile envious. In his 10 seasons thus far, Anthony averages 24.6 points and 6.3 boards per game.

Despite the occasional criticism that he has a difficult time sharing the ball and takes possessions off on defense, it's hard to argue with Anthony's production and ability to dominate in the clutch. Thanks to his size, speed and arsenal of moves, this isn't a guy most players want to guard.

11. Grant Hill (1994-Present)

After a fairy-tale college career in which he twice won the NCAA championship with Duke, Grant Hill's pro career has had its ups and downs.

In his first six seasons with the Detroit Pistons, he never averaged fewer than 19.9 points a contest, 6.4 rebounds or five assists—all figures from his rookie campaign.

The 6'8" small forward brought a broad skill set to the table and outstanding defense to boot. He averaged 1.8 steals a game in three separate seasons with the Pistons and still remains one of the NBA's most intelligent defenders at 39.

Hill's career took a detour when he worked out a sign-and-trade to the Orlando Magic only to spend more time sidelined with injury than on the court with his new team. After seven frustrating seasons in Orlando, the seven-time All-Star has reinvented himself as a veteran role player with the Phoenix Suns.

10. James Worthy (1982-1994)

James Worthy was a fundamentally sound model of versatility for the small forward position, completing a series of talented Lakers lineups for 12 years.

After winning an NCAA championship with North Carolina in 1982, Worthy earned three championships and seven All-Star selections with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was named NBA Finals MVP in 1988—a fitting acknowledgement of his ability to compete at the highest level while remaining ever the team player.

In his best all-around season, Worthy averaged 21.1 points, six rebounds and 3.6 assists, paving the way for future lengthy forwards who could seemingly do it all.

9. Gail Goodrich (1965-1979)

Twice an NCAA champion with UCLA, Gail Goodrich went on to spend most of his 14 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning an NBA title in 1972.

The 6'1" guard made it to five All-Star games and retired as the 11th-leading scorer in NBA history in 1979.

Nicknamed "Stumpy" by teammate Elgin Baylor, Goodrich overcame his modest frame and the odds that came with it to become one of the most talented and intelligent players in the game. At his peak, he averaged 25.9 points in 1971-1972.

8. Isiah Thomas (1981-1994)

Isiah Thomas won an NCAA championship with the Hoosiers in 1981 and two NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990.

Thomas' career line speaks for itself—he averaged 19.2 points, 9.3 assists and 1.9 steals in 13 seasons with Detroit. His quickness and intensity set the bar for point guards even as Magic Johnson redefined the position's possibilities.

The 6'1" guard was named to 12 All-Star teams and awarded the NBA Finals MVP in 1990. Paired with Joe Dumars as the Pistons' off-guard, Thomas helped anchor one of the league's all-time great backcourts.

7. Patrick Ewing (1985-2002)

Patrick Ewing won his NCAA championship with Georgetown in 1984 and went on to collect just about every professional honor except for another title.

The 7'0" center defined the Knicks' most successful campaigns in the 1980s and '90s. An 11-time All-Star, Ewing had his finest season in 1989-1990 with 28.6 points and four blocks per game. One of the NBA's all-time greatest centers, Ewing played for 17 seasons and stood out at a time when the league also featured icons like David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon.

He never collected the MVP awards or championships that Robinson and Olajuwon earned, but there has perhaps never been a Knick that was more deserving.

6. Bob Cousy (1950-1963, 1970)

While it's hard to imagine Bob Cousy's slight frame surviving for long in today's NBA, he went on to an epic professional career after attending Holy Cross and winning the NCAA championship in 1947.

Cousy was selected to the All-Star game 13 times and won six championships with the Boston Celtics, playing an integral part in a dynasty that remains mind-blowing to this day. An MVP in 1957, Cousy laid the groundwork for all-time great point guards like John Stockton and the current elite like Chris Paul.

In his best campaigns, he averaged in the neighborhood of 20 points and eight assists—production that continues to set the bar for world-class play from the point.

5. John Havlicek (1962-1978)

John Havlicek's 1960 championship with Ohio State was only the beginning of a historic basketball legacy.

He ranks 12th all-time in NBA scoring (and first among the Boston Celtics—the only team for whom Havlicek ever played), but the 6'5" guard is equally known for his clutch play and ability to excel on both ends of the court.

Havlicek also popularized the sixth-man role early in his career, setting a precedent now taken for granted in the context of spark plugs like James Harden, Jason Terry and Jamal Crawford.

Perhaps most impressively, he won eight NBA championships and earned 13 selections to the All-Star Game—accomplishments that come around a precious few times each generation.

4. Magic Johnson (1979-1991, 1996)

Magic Johnson won an NCAA championship with Michigan State, but he'll be forever remembered by his legendary career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

As a pro, Magic won five championships, three MVP awards, three NBA Finals MVP trophies and 12 selections to the All-Star game.

Beyond the accolades, though, he revolutionized the game with an unprecedented versatility that arguably wasn't approached until the arrival of LeBron James. In Johnson's fifth season, he averaged 17.6 points along with a remarkable 13.1 assists and 7.3 rebounds.

Never had the NBA seen a point guard with Johnson's size and penchant for triple-doubles. It really hasn't seen one since either.

3. Bill Russell (1956-1969)

Comparing Bill Russell's career to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's is one of the game's most enduring debates. While Russell arguably had the more dominant professional career after twice winning the NCAA championship with San Francisco, Kareem gets the edge on this list due to the more competitive league he confronted in his 20 seasons.

That's not a knock on Russell, who—after all—did have to face off against rival Wilt Chamberlain. Nevertheless, before the dimensions of the NBA changed markedly in the 1970s and 1980s, Russell and Chamberlain dominated the game to the point of absurdity.

Russell became the prototypical defense-first rebounder who still managed to score and pass the ball plenty. He won an astounding 11 NBA championships and five MVP awards while earning 12 All-Star selections and leading the league in rebounding five times.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969-1989)

A three-time NCAA champion with UCLA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went on to become one of the NBA's most dominant big men of all time.

And he did it with finesse.

Kareem's numbers are difficult to imagine: 19 All-Star selections, 10 All-NBA First Team selections, six NBA championships and six MVP awards. In his career with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, he regularly averaged more than 27 points per game while ranking near the top of the league in rebounds and blocks.

Unlike so many other talented bigs who struggle to integrate their physical tools with elite skill, Kareem remains arguably the best all-around big ever to play the game.

1. Michael Jordan (1984-1993, 1995-1998, 2001-2003)

Michael Jordan's 1982 championship with North Carolina inevitably feels like an afterthought given a professional career whose legendary dimensions may never be matched.

MJ averaged 41 points a game in the 1993 NBA Finals and scored 35.8 in the '92 NBA Finals. You know all the rest. The six NBA Finals MVP awards and 14 appearances at the All-Star game speak for themselves.

The otherworldly production will always stand out, but Jordan's most lasting legacy may be just how good he made this game look and his unparalleled determination to finish nothing short of first. His competitive edge changed what it meant to lead an NBA contender and dominate the postseason.