The future of the NBA is being developed on college campuses across the country. A vast majority of the league today were once college students honing their craft and perfecting their basketball skills. Let’s take a look at which programs have produced the best talent, and which current NBA star is the best player from each major university:
Oklahoma State — Cade Cunningham
Honorable Mentions: Marcus Smart, Lindy Waters III
It hasn’t been the start many envisioned for the former No. 1 overall draft pick, but Cade Cunningham surely boasts the talent to be one of the league’s top guards. For now, he’s clearly the top players to come out of Oklahoma State. That includes former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart who had his first year in Memphis cut short due to injury. In a few year’s time, Cunningham could be a perennial All-Star and All-NBA candidate.
Wichita State — Fred VanVleet
Honorable Mentions: Landry Shamet, Craig Porter Jr.
By this point, everybody knows Fred VanVleet’s story. The diminutive guard was an excellent collegiate player for four years at Wichita State. The team made it to the Final Four during his freshman campaign, and he was named an All-MVC player in each of the following three seasons. Then, he went undrafted and signed with the Raptors where he ended up being a key cog during the 2019 title run. VanVleet signed a massive contract with the Rockets this past offseason, cementing himself as the top former Shocker in the Association.
Utah — Kyle Kuzma
Honorable Mentions: Jakob Poeltl, Delon Wright
There are currently just three former Utes signed to an NBA roster. And, all three of them are quality players. Delon Wright is buried at the bottom of Miami’s bench but has always been a strong contributor when called upon. Jakob Poeltl is a serviceable center that protects the paint and finishes around the rim. The best, though, is Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma who is currently enjoying his best season in the league. Kuzma has improved steadily since leaving LA and is now the type of do-it-all wing contending teams are constantly looking for.
Georgia Tech — Jose Alvarado
Honorable Mentions: Thaddeus Young, Josh Okogie
Alvardo is a fierce competitor whose contributions don’t always appear on a stat sheet. The backup point guard in New Orleans brings consistent energy while developing his offensive game. Despite being in the league for three seasons now, opponents still aren’t prepared for his defensive pressure in the backcourt. He’s stolen several inbound passes over the years. Those types of plays fire up his teammates and contribute to winning basketball.
Georgia — Anthony Edwards
Honorable Mentions: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Nicolas Claxton
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Edwards is arguably the most talented American player in the NBA — and perhaps the closest thing athletically we’ve seen to both Dwyane Wade and Michael Jordan. He’s taken his game up a notch this year, becoming the leader of the Timberwolves after a successful summer with Team USA. The next step for Edwards is taking Minnesota on a deep playoff run. With his charisma, natural ability, and work ethic, he’s on pace to become among the best players in the NBA.
Louisville — Donovan Mitchell
Honorable Mentions: Terry Rozier, Jordan Nwora
Not many could have predicted Donovan Mitchell’s eventual ascension into NBA superstardom while he was at Louisville. As a Cardinal, Mitchell showed immense potential but struggled as both a shooter and playmaker. Once he made it to the league, a switch seemed to flip. Mitchell emerged as an elite scorer with explosive athleticism and unlimited range. He’s since developed into one of the premier shooters in the game and a perennial All-Star. The next best Louisville player is likely Terry Rozier, who does a lot of the same things as Mitchell but at a less efficient clip.
Lehigh — CJ McCollum
If you thought CJ McCollum was the best NBA product to be produced out of Lehigh, you’d be correct. He’s the only NBA player out of Lehigh. Not just in the league today, but ever. When McCollum was drafted in 2013 he became the first and only player from the Patriot League team to do so. It’s not all that hard to see why. McCollum was dazzling for the program. He even led them to a historic win over Duke during the 2012 NCAA tournament. McCollum was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2016 and is regarded as one of the best players in the league who has yet to make an All-Star team.
Connecticut — Andre Drummond
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Hawkins, Andre Jackson Jr.
We could see an influx of former Huskies making an impact in the league soon. Jordan Hawkins is already an elite shooter for the Pelicans, and Andre Jackson Jr. figures to be a strong reserve for a top-tier Bucks squad. They will be joined shortly by a few players currently playing for the Huskies including Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan. However, we’re paying homage to a guy who played at Connecticut over 12 years ago. Andre Drummond is still among the top rebounders in the game. He doesn’t even get 20 minutes per game for the Bulls and still manages to haul in nearly 10-plus boards every night.
Missouri — Michael Porter Jr.
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Clarkson, Kobe Brown
Michael Porter Jr. had a strange collegiate career. He played in just three games at Missouri due to injury. Originally slotted to be a top-5 pick, Porter Jr. slipped to the 14th overall pick due to medical concerns. The Nuggets took a chance on the sweet-shooting forward, and it’s paid dividends thus far. Porter Jr. helped the team capture the 2023 NBA title. He’s an excellent floor-spacer next to Denver’s two stars. He and fellow former Tiger Jordan Clarkson have never shied away from shooting the basketball.
Colorado — Derrick White
Honorable Mentions: Spencer Dinwiddie, Alec Burks, Jabari Walker
Derrick White stands head and shoulder above the rest of the former Buffaloes currently in the NBA. Spencer Dinwiddie has had his moments over the years and is currently trying to settle into a role for a Lakers team that desperately needs guard play. Alec Burks has been around the league and has always been a steady scorer. Jabari Walker is just getting his feet wet as a rotation player for the lottery-bound Blazers. And, then there’s White who has been an elite two-way player for the Celtics ever since joining Boston in 2022. White does a bit of everything on the floor and never looks out of sorts. He will be a key piece for a Celtics team that is looking to capture its first title since 2008.
Oklahoma — Trae Young
Honorable Mentions: Austin Reaves, Buddy Hield
The Sooner are well-represented in the league with three guards who have no trouble filling it up on the offensive end. Austin Reaves and Buddy Hield are capable of producing instant offense anytime they’re on the floor. But, neither is on the level of three-time All-Star Trae Young who is an offense all unto himself. Young is one of the few talents who could one day lead the league in PPG and APG. His career averages of 25.6 PPG and 9.5 APG are mightily impressive for a 25-year-old.
Maryland — Kevin Huerter
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Smith, Alex Len, Aaron Wiggins
The Terps have a starting five in the league, but it’s a group that would hardly make much noise. Sacramento’s Kevin Huerter is the best of the bench and would form a rangy backcourt next to Aaron Wiggins. In the frontcourt, Maryland has produced bigs Alex Len, Bruno Fernando, and Jalen Smith in recent years. Huerter was recently lost for the season after undergoing surgery but has been a solid two-way wing for both the Kings and Hawks.
Marquette — Jimmy Butler
Honorable Mentions: Wesley Matthews, Jae Crowder, Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Jimmy Butler took the mantle as the top player from Marquette from former teammate and fellow Golden Eagle great Dwyane Wade. Since entering the league, Butler has embodied toughness and grit. He never backs down from a challenge and always rises to the occasion. Those traits were likely formed during Butler’s collegiate years where he spent one year at junior college before three seasons at Marquette. He’s as battle-tested as they come and has come through in crucial moments more times than one could.
Texas AM — Khris Middleton
Honorable Mentions: Alex Caruso, Robert Williams III, DeAndre Jordan
Khris Middleton gets the nod here, but the gap is closing. The Aggies have produced two elite defensive-minded players Alex Caruso and Robert Williams. Unfortunately, both have been injury-prone throughout their NBA careers — possibly due to their high-octane style of play. Middleton has dealt with his ailments recently but is still a productive player when he’s on the floor. The Bucks would not have won the 2021 NBA title without Middleton making countless plays at the primary ball handler in crunch time.
Wake Forest — Chris Paul
Honorable Mentions: John Collins, James Johnson, Jake LaRavia
Many have tried to unseat the veteran PG, but none have succeeded. Chris Paul hasn’t played for Wake Forest for 20 years but is still managing to get buckets as an NBA player. Paul was once regarded as the best overall point guard in the league. Of course, those days are long gone. But, the 38-year-old remains one of the smartest players in the league and is just a couple of years removed from going 14-for-14 from the field in a playoff game.
Memphis — Jalen Duren
Honorable Mentions: Derrick Rose, James Wiseman, Precious Achiuwa
Who would have thought Jalen Duren would be the Memphis center who stands atop of this group? Just a few years ago, it seemed like former Tiger big man James Wiseman was destined for stardom. Wiseman was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft but was traded after playing just 60 games with the Warriors. Former league MVP Derrick Rose is still around, but Duren is the most impactful former Tiger currently. He’s a walking double-double threat and already among one of the best rebounders in the league.
Indiana — OG Anunoby
Honorable Mentions: Eric Gordon, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jalen Hood-Schifino
It’s a bit ironic that the best current Hoosier is a defensive-minded wing. Indiana is historically known for producing excellent jump shooters, but Anunoby is the best player to come out of Indiana for quite some time. The former Raptor was traded to the Knicks this season and has been a seamless fit in Tom Thibodeau’s scheme. Veteran Eric Gordon is certainly the best three-point specialist from this group but is not on the same level as Anunoby currently.
North Carolina State — Dennis Smith Jr.
Honorable Mentions: TJ Warren
Dennis Smith Jr. and TJ Warren might be joined by another NC State product shortly. The best chance NC State has at getting another NBA player is if a team wants to take a chance on current Wolfpack star D.J. Burns. We’ll see how NBA teams react in 2024 to a left-handed bowling ball whose game most closely resembles Zach Randolph. Until then, the former top pick Smith Jr. takes the top spot for NC State. While he never developed into a start, Smith Jr. is a strong defensive guard who is still just 26 years old.
Purdue — Jaden Ivey
Jaden Ivey was an absolute blur at Purdue. He could kick it into a different gear and blow past any defender with ease. The Pistons selected him fifth overall in 2022 and it’s been a bit of an awkward fit. Perhaps a team that can spread shooters around an attacker like Ivey would make more sense schematically. This year, Ivey is the only former Boilermaker signed to an NBA roster. That will change sometime in 2024 when the 7’4″ giant Zach Edey eventually makes his league debut.
Alabama — Collin Sexton
Honorable Mentions: Brandon Miller, Herb Jones, Noah Clowney
Alabama has had its fair share of talent come through over the years. Brandon Miller is arguably the most gifted of the bunch and was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2023. He’ll likely take the top spot for the Crimson Tide in short order and not relinquish his ranking for several years. Herb Jones is among the best defensive wings in all of basketball, and young players like Noah Clowney and Keon Ellis are beginning to carve roles within their respective clubs. While Miller continues to develop, we still consider Collin Sexton to be the most impactful current Alabama player. He’s matured a ton since joining the Jazz and is an efficient scorer who can heat up instantaneously.
Iowa State — Tyrese Haliburton
Honorable Mentions: Georges Niang, Talen Horton-Tucker, Monte Morris
Anybody who watched Tyrese Haliburton at Iowa State could see he was going to eventually become an excellent NBA player. Though, he could blow past expectations set by even his biggest supporters. Haliburton is a true point guard who looks to pass first and is constantly trying to get his teammates involved. His funky shot release hasn’t hindered him at all in the NBA, as he’s shot nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc over his career. Already a two-time All-Star, the next step for Haliburton is making an All-NBA team and eventually finding success in the postseason.
California — Jaylen Brown
The former No. 3 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Jaylen Brown is the only former Cal Bear currently in the NBA. Brown has developed immensely since his lone season at Berkeley. He’s a multiple-time All-Star and has been in the spotlight his whole career playing for a perennial contender. Now, he’s got a long way to go to becoming the best Cal player of all time. That distinction is currently held by former All-NBA point guard Jason Kidd.
Syracuse — Jerami Grant
Honorable Mentions: Oshae Brissett, Cole Swider
A program that used to consistently churn out NBA talents, Syracuse has taken a massive hit. Jerami Grant and Oshae Brissett are the only former Syracuse players currently getting any sort of consistent minutes in the NBA. Cole Swider — who played just one season at ‘Cuse following three years at Villanova — is an end-of-bench option for the Heat. Brissett has been a decent reserve for the Celtics, but Grant is the obvious choice here. Grant has been sort of an afterthought playing for the Blazers over the last two seasons, but he still has plenty of game. If a contending team could lure him out of Portland, we could see Grant making a difference as a two-way wing in the postseason.
Weber State — Damian Lillard
Before Damian Lillard was drafted in 2013, there had been just nine NBA/ABA players to come out of Weber State. Among those players, only one scored over 1,000 points during their career (Willie Sojourner scored 1,868 points in four seasons). Recently, Lillard passed 21,000 career points. He’s completely lapped every former Weber State player ever. Since 2013, we’ve seen just one other Weber State product join Lillard in the NBA — 2016 draft pick Joel Bolomboy who lasted just 18 career games. Lillard is by far the best player to come out of Weber State and likely will be the best for quite some time.
Davidson — Stephen Curry
Who could forget Stephen Curry’s magical run at Davidson? Sporting an even slimmer frame and less facial hair, Curry was a one-man show for the Wildcats as they made an Elite Eight appearance in 2008. NBA teams were wary about Curry’s ability to hold up at the next level, allowing him to drop to the Warriors in the draft. The rest, as they say, is history. Curry is the only player to be drafted out of Davidson since 1996.
St. Vincent-St. Mary’s — LeBron James
Honorable Mentions: Malaki Branham
While St. Vincent-St. Mary’s technically isn’t a college, it will forever be known as the old stomping grounds of LeBron James. Outside of the Greater Akron area, few had ever heard of this high school. That was until James had his high school games broadcast on ESPN. Now, you can purchase knock-off St. Vincent-St. Mary’s jerseys are online everywhere. It’s fun to think where LeBron would’ve possibly attended college. However, akin to Lower Merion and Kobe Bryant, the institution and player will forever be linked.
Washington State — Klay Thompson
Honorable Mentions: Mouhamed Gueye
Here’s another program not totally known for producing high-level basketball talent. Despite going to high school in talent-rich Southern California, Thompson slipped through the cracks and ended up on the Palouse. It was here that he developed into a lottery pick. Golden State saw someone with the upside of a 3-and-D player — though Thompson shattered that mold and became one of the most prolific two-way guards in the history of the league. He’s a massive reason why Golden State enjoyed the dynasty that it did. Without Thompson, the Warriors aren’t winning multiple titles.
San Diego State — Kawhi Leonard
Honorable Mentions: Jalen McDaniels
It’s difficult to envision both UCLA and Arizona missing on a player so gifted sitting in their proverbial backyards. SDSU did a terrific job scouting Kawhi Leonard out of high school. While initially thought of as a rugged defender with decent athleticism, he developed into so much more. We watched as Leonard quickly became among the best players in the entire NBA. He led the Spurs to immense postseason success despite being a young player. While his departure ruffled more than a few feathers, he’s still played at a very high level for the Clippers (when able to stay healthy). There’s no doubt Leonard will one day be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Fresno State — Paul George
Honorable Mentions: Orlando Robinson
There aren’t a lot of choices here. Regardless, Paul George — an expected future Hall of Famer — is the best player coming from Fresno State. The long wing is as smooth as it comes from an offensive standpoint. Rarely do you have such a fluid athlete possessing guard-like skills from the perimeter as well as driving to the cup. George demonstrates a sweet turnaround jumper from the baseline, and also some above-average defensive skills (when engaged) in one-on-one situations. People also tend to forget how potent of a player he was going toe-to-toe against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers when leading a young Pacers team himself.
Arizona State — James Harden
Honorable Mentions: Luguentz Dort
Harden is one of the best hoopers to ever come from ASU. Entering the league, you watched a player with a ridiculously high basketball I.Q. paired with an equally as impressive skill set. As he got older, bigger, and stronger, Harden would bully anyone trying to check him at the top of the key. There was a period where he was unstoppable as an isolation scorer. This point in his career has faded a bit, but the passing ability and wherewithal to involve teammates remains very good.
Michigan State — Draymond Green
Honorable Mentions: Jaren Jackson Jr., Miles Bridges
The future Hall of Famer is the top dog here. Jaren Jackson Jr. likely will take the mantle from Green once he retires, but you can’t discount the impact Green has had on both the Warriors and the NBA as a whole. Few players possess his mental brilliance on the defensive end of the floor. You can point to his lack of scoring and shooting percentage, but he does everything else at a historically brilliant level — especially being a power forward hovering around 6’6″.
Florida — Bradley Beal
Honorable Mentions: Al Horford, Dorian Finney-Smith
With a bit of an older crew for this program, Bradley Beal holds the distinction currently as the premier player from Florida. His role has changed considerably since coming over to Phoenix. He was the face of the Washington Wizards franchise for years until becoming option No. 3 behind Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in the Valley of the Sun. Regardless, Beal is a professional scorer, and a multi-time All-Star for a reason.
Oregon — Dillon Brooks
Honorable Mentions: Payton Pritchard, Bol Bol
Dillion ‘The Villain’ lands here as the best player hailing from Oregon. By way of Canada, he was an all-conference player before eventually making it into the NBA as an irritant of the highest order. But dissimilar from most gnat-like tiny guards, Brooks is a robust 6’7″ wing with legitimate physicality. He can even score a little bit, too — evidenced by his resurgence with the Houston Rockets.
Louisiana State — Naz Reid
Honorable Mentions: Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas
Paying homage to a couple of great big men hailing from LSU (Shaquille O’Neal, Bob Petit), Naz Reid holds the distinction currently as the best player to have played at LSU. He’s one of those guys that would start on most teams, yet comes off the bench for the upstart Timberwolves based on circumstance. With Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert present, Reid becomes the de facto third big in the rotation — and without a doubt the best reserve big man in the NBA today.
Washington — Dejounte Murray
Honorable Mentions: Markelle Fultz, Jaden McDaniels
The University of Washington — and the city of Seattle as a whole — has a very rich basketball history. Murray falls in line with many who’ve come before him. The electric guard has proven himself to be an above-average point guard in this league. With a spider-like length and terrific short-area quickness, he pairs with Trae Young to form a very dynamic backcourt. We’ll see how much longer Murray stays in Atlanta. The Lakers have been reportedly lurking in the weeds with the hopes of eventually landing him.
Tennessee — Tobias Harris
Honorable Mentions: Josh Richardson, Grant Williams
Dalton Knecht might be saying something about this ranking sooner rather than later. However, until he’s in the league producing, the veteran forward gets the nod here. Harris has had an interesting career trajectory. Billed initially as an elite scorer, he’s taken somewhat of a back seat in that capacity playing with Joel Embiid, James Harden, Jimmy Butler, and now Tyrese Maxey. That’s not to say he’s not an important player for the 76ers. Harris can defend decently well, and he can still shoot/score the basketball.
Virginia — Trey Murphy III
Honorable Mentions: Malcolm Brogdon, De’Andre Hunter
The perfect glue guy. Trey Murphy III is someone you want on your roster. A swing off-guard/forward with positional versatility, you can throw him on the floor and not worry about his headiness. Along with impressive mental acuity, he can defend multiple positions and also space the floor with above-average skills from beyond the arc. If he were on a team with fewer primary scoring options, you’d probably hear a lot more about Murphy. With that said, pundits and analytics-driven writers love his game.
Florida State — Scottie Barnes
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Isaac, Devin Vassell
Scottie Barnes represents Florida State basketball exceptionally well. Head coach Leonard Hamilton seeks out long, athletic players with gigantic upsides and positional versatility. Barnes fits this description perfectly — as he functions oftentimes as a pseudo-point forward. Defensively he’s made major gains in his game. Offensively, his 6’9″ frame enables him to see over defenses when involving teammates. Barnes is just scratching the surface of his immense potential.
Ohio State — D’Angelo Russell
Honorable Mentions: Mike Conley Jr.
Ohio State doesn’t have many players to pull from in the professional ranks. With Mike Conley toward the end of his career, D’Angelo Russell is the best ex-Buckeye. While inconsistent on both ends of the floor, he’s actually been quite good this year alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He’s the guy who can space the floor, pick out a pass in transition, and also create off the dribble. Say what you will about his lack of concentration/effort defensively, but Russell knows how to create offense whether shooting or with the pass.
North Carolina — Coby White
Honorable Mentions: Harrison Barnes, Cameron Johnson, Cole Anthony
This one might surprise you. North Carolina has an immensely rich basketball tradition. However, the talent coming out of the school hasn’t exactly been great in recent years. Coby White was a first-round pick a few years ago. Just when it looked like the Bulls were ready to move on, he exploded for a fantastic 2023-24 campaign. Aggressive and lightning-quick, White loves attacking the lane off the bounce. He’s also even developed into a knockdown shooter from three in the process.
Texas — Kevin Durant
Honorable Mentions: Myles Turner, Jarrett Allen
Despite being known more so as a football school, Kevin Durant has tried to dispel that myth by becoming arguably a top-10 player of all time. Regardless of what you may think of his decision to team up with Steph Curry and form a superteam, Durant is as skilled a scorer as this league has ever seen. He’s also the most unique scorer the league has seen to date. We’ve never witnessed a 7-footer with such a vast offensive repertoire. There’s literally nothing Durant can’t do on a basketball court.
Gonzaga — Domantas Sabonis
Honorable Mentions: Chet Holmgren, Kelly Olynyk, Jalen Suggs
Chet Holmgren is making a beeline for this top spot. However, for at least the next couple of seasons, it should be comfortably held by Domantas Sabonis. The son of a former NBA player, Sabonis has been better than anyone has really expected. A walking double-double, he can score with either hand in the paint. He’s excellent at carving out space with his body on the boards. Sabonis is highly active, aggressive, and uber-competitive. He, along with De’Aaron Fox, are the two reasons why this franchise is now relevant.
Villanova — Jalen Brunson
Honorable Mentions: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Kyle Lowry, Donte DiVincenzo
The Big Apple is in love with Jalen Brunson. A tough, physical guard out of Villanova, nobody saw the former second-round pick developing into an All-NBA type. Brunson is excellent at using both his body and various angles on the floor. He’s not an explosive athlete, yet he gets to his spot on the floor with regularity. A confident player with moxie and bravery, there’s no wonder that those supporting the Knicks love him. He’s arguably the most popular Knicks player since Carmelo Anthony.
Southern California — DeMar DeRozan
Honorable Mentions: Evan Mobley, Nikola Vucevic
DeRozan has consistently been the best Trojan for over a decade. Before making his way to Chicago, DeRozan etched his name into Toronto Raptors lore — becoming one of the franchise’s most successful and beloved players. A quick stop in San Antonio was far from memorable, though moving to Chicago has been challenging from a winning standpoint — though positive for his career on a personal level. An efficient scorer (particularly in the midrange), DeRozan’s game has expanded positively in a way few saw coming out of USC.
Arizona — Lauri Markkanen
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Gordon, DeAndre Ayton
The Finnish flamethrower has become a very good player. His career stalled a bit in Chicago with the Bulls. Much of that has to do with the volatility surrounding that franchise. When he came to Utah, Markkanen’s game went up another level. He was suddenly attacking the rim with ferocity and wasn’t shy in roasting dudes off the bounce/spotting up from anywhere on the floor. With how impressive he’s developed, Markkanen appears to be Utah’s best player moving forward. If the Jazz were to make him available, a plethora of teams would be vying for his services.
Kansas — Joel Embiid
Honorable Mentions: Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr.
There’s no other choice here. Embiid — when healthy — is one of the best players in the league today. His skill set is immensely unique, pairing the footwork of Olajuwon, the power of O’Neal, the shooting ability of Nowitzki, and the defensive prowess of Mutombo. While Wilt Chamberlain often gets top billing as the best Jayhawk, Embiid is certainly now in the conversation as one of the top five players to hail from Lawrence.
Michigan — Franz Wagner
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Poole, Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, Mo Wagner
Michigan’s alum representation in the NBA has dipped a bit from where it once was. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some talented ex-Wolverines currently in the league. Wing Franz Wagner is the best of the bunch at this current time. The versatile forward can toggle between both forward spots — and even the two-guard role if need be. He’s an athletic, aggressive player with real mismatch skills. He’s firmly entrenched himself as a core pillar within Orlando’s franchise.
UCLA — Jrue Holliday
Honorable Mentions: Zach Lavine, Lonzo Ball, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Anderson, Norman Powell
Holiday is the guy here. Growing up in Los Angeles and attending UCLA briefly, he was a prep phenom at Campbell Hall in North Hollywood. Initially pegged as a scoring guard, he morphed somewhat into more of a combo guard with an emphasis on winning basketball rather than personal accolades. As rock-solid as they come, every single team in the NBA would love to have Holiday starting in its backcourt. He does all of the little things requisite to winning.
Kentucky — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Honorable Mentions: Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Jamal Murray, De’Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Julius Randle, Tyrese Maxey
Kentucky is LOADED with elite talent. Say what you will about John Calipari and his coaching prowess (or lack thereof), but he knows how to recruit. Kentucky has been a factory of high-end NBA talent. In this list, you could make a case for both Anthony Davis and Devin Booker. However, we’ll roll with SGA — the OKC guard who’s essentially become one of the best guards in the league. Slitherly, decisive, crafty, and utterly lethal, there’s nothing he can’t do on the basketball court.
Duke — Jayson Tatum
Honorable Mentions: Kyrie Irving, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero
Tatum has arrived as a true superstar in the NBA. Duke’s potential starting five would rival any other college in a hypothetical pickup game setting. In terms of the best individual player, Tatum has recently taken the mantle from Kyrie Irving as the creme de la creme hailing from Durham. He’s the best player on arguably the best team in the league. We’re curious to see whether he can get Boston over the hump — and by over the hump we mean to win a title. He should be a fixture on the Olympic roster, too.