The start of the 2025 NCAA Tournament is right around the corner and fans are gearing up for it. The few weeks of the tournament are some of the more exciting of the sports calendar year as many people get invested in the games.
Every year, we see players come out from nowhere to have their big moments. But we also see star players simply take over the lead their teams to victory.
However, we have also seen plenty of college stars don’t pan out at the next level. Here are some of the biggest March Madness stars who flamed out in the NBA:
5. Emeka Okafor, UConn
Okafor played in 103 games for the Huskies, averaging 13.8 points and 10.6 rebounds during that time. The big man helped UConn win the NCAA title in 2004, where he averaged 17.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per game that season.
However, his NBA career fell short. Okafor was drafted No. 2 overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2024. Okafor never seemed to put things together in the league despite all the hype.
The center bounced around, finishing his career during the 2018-19 season. His final career averages were 12.0 points and 9.7 rebounds over 616 games played.
4. Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Hansbrough was one player who many expected to be a sure thing at the next level. After leading the Tar Heels to a title in 2009, many believed he was ready for the NBA.
In 120 games played for North Carolina, Hansbrough averaged 20.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. His four years at North Carolina were special and still seen as one of the better runs in the school’s history.
But Hansbrough faltered and his career never really got started. The big man was selected with the No. 13 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers.
By 2016, he was out of the NBA entirely. Hansbrough finished his career by averaging 6.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.
3. Bo Kimble, Loyola Marymount
Kimble is best known for his time with Loyola Marymount after transferring from USC. The forward almost willed the Lions to the Final Four, averaging 35.0 points per game over four games.
Kimble used this to be taken with the No. 8 pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1990 NBA Draft. After averaging 22.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game in college, Kimble felt ready for the NBA.
Many were excited about this potential after his success in college but things never panned out. His NBA career was short, with Kimble only averaging 5.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.
2. Jimmer Fredette, BYU
Many wanted Fredette to succeed in the NBA but the sharpshooting guard just never lived up to the hype. Fredette was special with BYU, averaging 18.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
In his final season with the Cougars, he put up 28.9 points per game. Fredette shot 39 percent from 3-point land throughout his collegiate career but it never translated to the NBA.
Fredette was the No. 10 pick of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks but was immediately traded to the Sacramento Kings. “Jimmermania” swept Sacramento but he was off the team just a few years later.
For his NBA career, Fredette averaged 6.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
1. Adam Morrison, Gonzaga
Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Unfortunately, Morrison is the cream of the crop of failed March Madness stars. His run at Gonzaga was extremely memorable and had NBA teams incredibly excited for his potential.
In 95 games for the Bulldogs, he averaged 19.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. This includes his 2005-06 season, where he put up 28.1 points per game.
Morrison led the Bulldogs to the Sweet Sixteen where they fell short to UCLA. The forward then entered the NBA and was selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2006 NBA Draft.
His potential was never met as Morrison struggled to adjust to the NBA level. For his career, Morrison averaged 7.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
More news:
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