By Clarissa Hamlin
Once again, basketball buffs are wildin‘ out. They yell at fouls, cuss at players missing jumpers, or get downright ratchet if their beloved ball team loses by just a point or few.
Dubbed March Madness, this marathon of college games captivates b-ball fiends to no end. Each year, we see a new crop of ballers that emerge as trailblazers, but we cannot forget the greats that paved the way. So we rounded up 17 game-changers that went hard in the paint during their NCAA journeys – and reveal where they are now.
Related: You Loved Them Then! Where Are They Now?!
1. Jay Williams
Then
The intrepid former Duke University guard led the Blue Devils to the NCAA National Championship in 2001. Myriad injuries in a nearly fatal motorcycle accident ended his one-year career with the Chicago Bulls in 2003.
Now
He found rebirth as an ESPN sports analyst, pictured at the April 2010 Rising Stars Youth Foundation Dinner honoring him in New York City.
2. Harold Miner
Then
The “Baby Jordan” player piled up points and dunks in leading USC to the No. 2 seed in the 1992 tournament. He went on to do a four-year NBA stint from 1992-96.
Now
Miner resides in Las Vegas as a family man and nutrition buff. He smiles for fans during a game at his alma mater USC on Jan. 15.
3. Doug Christie
Then
While at Pepperdine University from 1989-92, he led the Waves to consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. He proved resilient throughout his lucrative 15-year pro career, which ended in 2007.
Now
He expanded his talent off the court with a sports management company and writing books including one with wife Jackie, of VH1’s Basketball Wives LA. He attended the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) All-Star Gala in Feb. 2011.
4. Greg Oden
Then
As an Ohio State University freshman from 2006-07, Oden and his team were tournament runner-ups in the NCAA Men’s Division Championship.
Now
The 25-year-old injured free agent is examining NBA teams during his recovery from micro fracture surgery, sitting courtside at a Portland TrailBlazers and Chicago Bulls game in Nov. 2010.
5. Derrick Rose
Then
The talented Chicagoan and point guard took his high scoring skills all the way to the #1 tournament seed as a University of Memphis Tiger from 2007-08. He is now a coveted and admired player for the Chicago Bulls.
Now
Tearing his knee last year, Rose is recovering and planning his comeback. He analyzes the play at a March 2012 Chicago Bulls’ game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena in Georgia.
6. Stephen Curry
Then
The powerhouse performer had one of the most memorable NCAA performances in 2008, scoring high in back-to-back games as a Davidson College Wildcat. His on-court prowess propelled him to the NBA in 2010.
Now
Recently, the Golden State Warriors Guard returned to the game after a damaged ankle took him off the court. He plays at a Feb. 27 game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
7. Stephon Marbury
Then
The former Georgia Tech Guard dominated the scene, en-route to the Regional Semi-finals of the 1996 NCAA tournament. The Milwaukee Bucks drafted him before he played with the New York Knicks.
Now
He plays overseas for the Beijing Ducks in China. While home, the New York native shopped with his family in the city’s Soho Neighborhood in late 2009.
8. Mateen Cleaves
Then
One of the top 75 all-time March Madness players took the Michigan State Spartans to the winner’s circle in the 2000 NCAA Championships. He then spent 6 years as part of the Detroit Pistons and other NBA teams.
Now
He parlayed his popularity into an NBA analyst position for Fox Sports Detroit. Last November, Cleaves smiled for the cameras at the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Announcement Ceremony.
9. Ray Allen
Then
The three-pointer king was on guard at UConn, which earned no. 2-seed in the NCAA tournament more than once from 1993-96. He is one of the most recognizable players with a 16-year pro career including championships, and a breakout role in 1998’s “He Got Game.”
Now
This season, Mr. Allen joined the Miami Heat after a successful run with the Boston Celtics. He poses in uniform during media day at the American Airlines Arena in Miami last September.
Michigan’s Fab Five
The iconic University of Michigan’s “Fab Five” were a talented group of freshman recruits – Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson. Their statement-making shaved heads, baggy shorts, black socks and shoes complimented their forward-thinking approach to basketball. They led the Michigan Wolverines to two consecutive NCAA final appearances in 1992 and 93, which were major losses.
10. Chris Webber
Then
The unofficial leader of the “Fab Five” caught major criticism for his infamous timeout that reportedly cost Michigan to lose to North Carolina in the 93’ game, and his role in the Ed Martin Recruitment Scandal. However, Webber went on to become a five-time NBA All Star with a solid 15-year pro career.
Now
The baller-turned Turner Sports Analyst started his film company, Webber Productions last year. He showed off his pearly whites at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
11. Jalen Rose
Then
One of the group’s go-to-guys, Rose sunk many jump shots as a Michigan guard. He added onto those records in his 13-year NBA career.
Now
Rose commands attention as an ESPN sports analyst. The outspoken baller hosted the November 2011 Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez boxing fight weigh-in in Las Vegas.
12. Juwan Howard
Then
The Fab Five’s rock-solid defender and rebounder stretched his skills into an 18-year-and-counting career including a 2012 championship with the Miami Heat.
Now
The power forward is still heating up the court with his defense skills, pictured in last year’s ESPY Awards press room in Los Angeles.
13. Jimmy King
Then
The Fab Five forward supported the Michigan team before completing a brief NBA stint from 1995-97.
Now
He makes his money as a financial strategist, pictured at a Feb. 8 “Hardcore Pawn” reality TV show fundraising event in Detroit.
14. Ray Jackson
Then
Rounding out the group, Jackson’s NCAA influential run at Michigan was his last, for he did not play in the NBA unlike the other members.
Now
The philanthropic family man runs non-profit Rise Up, Inc., which helps youth in their social, academic and athletic development. He poses at the D1 Nation’s I-35 Challenge at an Austin, Texas high school in late 2011.
15. Cuttino Mobley
Then
Apart of the University of Rhode Island’s mens basketball program, he took them to the elite eight of the 1998 NCAA tournament before completing his 10-year NBA career.
Now
Mobley filed a lawsuit last year against the Knicks and Madison Square Garden for “forcing him to retire” due to his heart condition in 2008.
16. Wayne Simien
Then
The “big, bruising” power forward was a solid post defender and free throw shooter for University of Kansas from 2001-02. He helped the team to dominate the NCAA sweet 16 before his two years pro with the Miami Heat.
Now
The University of Kansas campus minister spoke at the After Dark event at Lied Center in Kansas in early 2011.
17. Rick Fox
Then
The former baller sunk a crucial last minute winning shot for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels during the 1990 men’s college NCAA tournament. After which, he became a three-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers before retiring in 2004.
Now
The actor and producer lent his talents to roles from 2008’s Meet the Browns to the hit BET series, The Game. He walked the carpet at Equality Now 20th Anniversary in New York City last April.
For more trips down memory lane, check out You Loved Them Then! Where Are They Now?!
