50 Famous NBA Players From Connecticut: Best Men Of All Time
Meet 50 famous NBA players from Connecticut. Explore their careers, achievements, and how they became some of the best men in basketball history.
Jul 25, 202522.5K Shares513.5K Views
Connecticut has produced a remarkable array of NBA talent, with players who have left indelible marks on the league through their skill, dedication, and achievements. From Hall of Famers to rising stars, these men have showcased the state's rich basketball heritage.
This article delves into the careers of 50 distinguished NBA players hailing from Connecticut. Each profile highlights their journey, from early beginnings to professional milestones, underscoring their contributions to the sport. Whether it's the sharpshooting prowess of Ray Allen, the defensive dominance of Marcus Camby, or the emerging talents of Stephon Castle and Donovan Clingan, Connecticut's influence on basketball is profound and enduring.
Corny Thompson
Cornelius Allen "Corny Thompsonwas born on February 5, 1960, in Middletown, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 225 pounds, he played as a power forward and occasionally as a center . Thompson attended Middletown High School, where he led his team to three state championships and a 76-game winning streak . He then played college basketball at the University of Connecticut (UConn) from 1978 to 1982, leading the team in scoring all four years and finishing with 1,810 points and 1,017 rebounds.
In the 1982 NBA Draft, Thompson was selected in the third round as the 50th overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks . He played one season with the Mavericks, appearing in 44 games and averaging 2.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game . After a knee injury and subsequent release from the Mavericks, Thompson continued his professional career overseas . He played for Pallacanestro Varese in Italy from 1984 to 1990, then for Joventut Badalona in Spain from 1990 to 1994, where he won the EuroLeague championship in 1994 and was named Spanish League Finals MVP in 1991 . He concluded his playing career with León in Spain from 1994 to 1996.
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Chuck Aleksinas
Charles John "Chuck Aleksinas" was born on February 26, 1959, in Litchfield, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 260 pounds, he played as a center and was known for his physical presence on the court. Aleksinas attended Wamogo High School, where he had an outstanding basketball career, averaging 40.1 points and 19 rebounds per game in his senior year. He set multiple school records and was highly recruited by college programs.
He began his college basketball career at the University of Kentucky, where he was part of the team that won the NCAA championship in 1978. After two seasons, he transferred to the University of Connecticut (UConn), where he played from 1980 to 1982. At UConn, he averaged 12.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and was named to the All-Big East Second Team in 1981.
In the 1982 NBA Draft, Aleksinas was selected in the fourth round as the 76th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls. However, he did not play for the Bulls and instead began his professional career in Europe with Estudiantes de Madrid in Spain during the 1983–84 season. He joined the Golden State Warriors for the 1984–85 NBA season, appearing in 74 games and averaging 5.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. After his stint in the NBA, he returned to Europe, playing for teams in Spain and Italy until his retirement in 1990.
Throughout his professional career, Aleksinas did not win an NBA championship ring. He also did not receive notable NBA awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. After retiring from professional basketball, he returned to his hometown of Morris, Connecticut, where he operates a business specializing in rare auto parts.
Tharon Mayes
Tharon Mayeswas born on September 9, 1968, in New Haven, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, he played as a shooting guard. Mayes attended Hillhouse High School in New Haven, where he led the team to a state championship in the 1985–86 season. He then played college basketball at Florida State University from 1986 to 1990. During his senior year, he averaged 26.2 points per game, leading the Seminoles in scoring. Over his college career, he totaled 1,260 points.
Mayes went undrafted in the 1990 NBA Draft but began his professional career in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He was named to the CBA All-Rookie Team in 1991. He later played in the NBA during the 1991–92 season, appearing in 24 games with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Clippers. In the NBA, he averaged 4.1 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. Mayes did not win an NBA championship ring. After his NBA stint, he had an extensive international career, playing for teams in countries including Belgium, the Philippines, Germany, Spain, and Israel.
Following his playing career, Mayes became involved in youth basketball programs and coaching. He has worked in various locations, including Toronto, Florida, Boston, and his hometown of New Haven. In December 2024, he was named the interim boys' basketball coach at Career High School in New Haven.
Marcus Camby
Marcus Cambywas born on March 22, 1974, in Hartford, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds. Camby played as a center and power forward, known for his strong defense, shot-blocking, and rebounding skills. He attended the University of Massachusetts (UMass) from 1993 to 1996, where he became the school's all-time leader in blocked shots with 336 and scored 1,387 points in his college career. In 1996, he led UMass to the NCAA Final Four and was awarded the John R. Wooden Award as the national college player of the year.
Camby was selected second overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 1996 NBA Draft. He played 17 seasons in the NBA from 1996 to 2013, representing the Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Houston Rockets. Throughout his NBA career, Camby played in 973 regular-season games, averaging 9.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the 2006–07 season and led the league in blocks per game four times. Camby was also selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice and the All-Defensive Second Team twice.
Camby did not win an NBA championship during his career. As of recent reports, his estimated net worth is $50 million.
Scott Burrell
Scott Burrellwas born on January 12, 1971, in New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 218 pounds, he played as a shooting guard and small forward. Burrell was selected by the Charlotte Hornets as the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 1993 NBA Draft. He played in the NBA from 1993 to 2001, representing the Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and New Jersey Nets. Over his NBA career, he appeared in 383 regular-season games, averaging 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.
Burrell won one NBA championship ring with the Chicago Bulls during the 1997–98 season. Before his professional career, he played college basketball at the University of Connecticut (UConn) from 1989 to 1993, where he was a three-time All-Big East selection and team captain in his senior year. As of 2025, his net worth is approximately $4 million. After retiring from playing, Burrell became a basketball coach and is currently the head men's basketball coach at Southern Connecticut State University.
Will Solomon
William Solomon, born on July 20, 1978, in Hartford, Connecticut, is a former professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 185 pounds, he played as a point guard and shooting guard. Solomon was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies as the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2001 NBA Draft. He played in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies (2001–2002), Toronto Raptors (2008–2009), and Sacramento Kings (2009), appearing in a total of 115 regular-season games. Throughout his NBA career, he averaged 5.1 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 37.8%.
Solomon did not win any NBA championships or receive notable individual awards during his time in the league. Prior to his professional career, he played college basketball at Clemson University, where he was a standout player. After his initial NBA season, Solomon had a successful international career, playing for teams in Greece, Israel, Turkey, Ukraine, and France. He won the FIBA EuroCup Challenge with Aris Thessaloniki in 2003 and the ULEB Cup with Hapoel Jerusalem in 2004. He also secured Turkish League championships with Efes Pilsen and Fenerbahçe.
Rick Mahorn
Rick Mahorn, born Derrick Allen Mahorn on September 21, 1958, in Hartford, Connecticut, is a former professional basketball player. He stands 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds. Mahorn played as a power forward and center, known for his physical and tough playing style. He was selected by the Washington Bullets as the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 1980 NBA Draft. Throughout his NBA career, he played for the Washington Bullets, Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Nets. He also had a stint with Virtus Roma in Italy during the 1991–1992 season. Over 18 NBA seasons, Mahorn appeared in 1,117 regular-season games, averaging 6.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game.
Mahorn won one NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 1989. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 1990. During his college career at Hampton University from 1976 to 1980, he set 18 school records and was a three-time NAIA All-American. He scored 2,418 points and grabbed 1,465 rebounds, averaging 20.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. As of 2025, Mahorn's net worth is approximately $4 million.
Bruce Kuczenski
Bruce Kuczenskiwas born on February 3, 1961, in Bristol, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds. Kuczenski played as a power forward and center, known for his physical presence on the court. He was selected by the New Jersey Nets as the 59th overall pick in the third round of the 1983 NBA Draft. During the 1983–84 NBA season, he played for the New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Indiana Pacers, appearing in a total of 15 games. In his NBA career, he averaged 1.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.
Kuczenski did not win any NBA championships or receive notable individual awards during his professional basketball career. He played college basketball at the University of Connecticut from 1979 to 1983 and was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team in the 1979–80 season. After his time in the NBA, Kuczenski had a successful international career, playing for teams in Spain, Belgium, France, and Switzerland. Notably, during the 1987–88 season with Reims in France, he averaged 20.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
John Pinone
John Pinonewas born on February 19, 1961, in Hartford, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 230 pounds, he played as a power forward. Pinone was known for his strong inside presence and scoring ability. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the 58th overall pick in the third round of the 1983 NBA Draft. During the 1983–84 NBA season, he appeared in seven games for the Hawks, averaging 2.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.
After his brief NBA stint, Pinone played for the Ohio Mixers in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) during the 1983–84 season and was selected for the 1984 CBA All-Star Game. He then joined Estudiantes in Spain's Liga ACB, where he played from 1984 to 1993. With Estudiantes, he won the Spanish King's Cup in 1992 and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. He also won the Spanish Prince's Cup in 1986. During his time in Spain, Pinone played 332 games, scoring 6,175 points and grabbing 2,193 rebounds, averaging 18.6 points per game.
In college, Pinone played for Villanova University from 1979 to 1983. He was a three-time First-Team All-Big East selection and earned Third-Team All-American honors in 1983. He also won the Robert V. Geasey Trophy three times, awarded to the top player in the Philadelphia Big 5. Villanova retired his jersey number 45 in 1995.
Bob Nash
Robert Lee "Bob Nash" was born on August 24, 1950, in Hartford, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 195 pounds during his playing career. Nash played as a small forward and was known for his athleticism and versatility on the court. He was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 9th overall pick in the first round of the 1972 NBA Draft. Nash played in the NBA from 1972 to 1979, representing the Detroit Pistons and the Kansas City Kings. Over his NBA career, he appeared in 219 regular-season games, averaging 4.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game.
Nash did not win any NBA championships during his playing career. Before joining the NBA, he played college basketball at San Jacinto Junior College from 1968 to 1970 and then at the University of Hawaii from 1970 to 1972. At Hawaii, he was a key member of the "Fabulous Five," leading the team to its first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance in 1971 and its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972. Following his playing career, Nash dedicated over three decades to the University of Hawaii's basketball program, serving in various roles including assistant coach and head coach.
Michael Adams
Michael Adamswas born on January 19, 1963, in Hartford, Connecticut. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 162 pounds during his playing career. Adams played as a point guard and was known for his quickness and distinctive "push shot." He attended Boston College from 1981 to 1985, where he was a three-time All-Big East selection and served as team captain for three seasons. Adams ranks eighth on Boston College's all-time scoring list with 1,650 points and holds the school's record for career steals with 275.
Adams was selected by the Sacramento Kings as the 66th overall pick in the third round of the 1985 NBA Draft. He played 11 seasons in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings (1985–86), Washington Bullets (1986–87, 1991–94), Denver Nuggets (1987–91), and Charlotte Hornets (1994–96). Over his NBA career, Adams appeared in 653 regular-season games, averaging 14.7 points, 6.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. He was selected as an NBA All-Star in 1992. Adams did not win any NBA championships during his career. Adams was renowned for his proficiency in three-point shooting, once holding the NBA record for most consecutive games with a made three-pointer at 79 games.
Johnny Egan
John Eganwas born on January 31, 1939, in Hartford, Connecticut, and passed away on July 21, 2022, in Houston, Texas. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, he played as a point guard. Egan was known for his quickness and leadership on the court. He played college basketball at Providence College from 1958 to 1961, leading the Friars to their first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Championship in 1961 and earning Second Team All-American honors that year. He was later inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Egan was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 12th overall pick in the second round of the 1961 NBA Draft. He played 11 seasons in the NBA from 1961 to 1972, representing the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Baltimore Bullets, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Diego/Houston Rockets . Over his NBA career, Egan appeared in 712 regular-season games, averaging 7.8 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game . He did not win any NBA championships during his playing career.
After retiring as a player, Egan transitioned into coaching. He served as the head coach of the Houston Rockets from 1973 to 1976, achieving a coaching record of 129 wins and 152 losses. Under his leadership, the Rockets secured their first playoff series victory in 1975.
Aaron Jackson
Aaron Jacksonwas born on May 6, 1986, in Hartford, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 183 pounds. Jackson played as a point guard and was known for his quickness and strong defensive skills. He attended Duquesne University from 2005 to 2009, where he became the sixth player in school history to record three or more seasons with over 100 assists. During his senior year, he earned All-Atlantic 10 honors and was named to the 2009 All-Atlantic 10 Tournament Team.
After going undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft, Jackson began his professional basketball career overseas. He played for teams in Turkey, Italy, Spain, Russia, and China. Notably, he spent five seasons with CSKA Moscow from 2012 to 2017, where he won multiple VTB United League championships and was part of the team that won the EuroLeague title in 2016. In April 2018, Jackson signed with the Houston Rockets and appeared in one NBA game, recording 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. He did not win any NBA championships during his career.
Andre Drummond
Andre Drummondwas born on August 10, 1993, in Mount Vernon, New York. He stands 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 279 pounds. Drummond plays as a center and is known for his strong rebounding and defensive skills. He attended the University of Connecticut (UConn) for one season (2011–2012), where he averaged 10.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.
Drummond was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 9th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft. He has played for several NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons (2012–2020), Cleveland Cavaliers (2020–2021), Los Angeles Lakers (2021), Philadelphia 76ers (2021–2022, 2024–present), Brooklyn Nets (2022), and Chicago Bulls (2022–2024). Over his NBA career, Drummond has averaged 12.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game across 904 regular-season games. He has been selected as an NBA All-Star twice and led the league in rebounding multiple times. Drummond has not won any NBA championships.
Drummond has received recognition for his defensive abilities, finishing 10th in the Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2016 and 8th in 2020. He was also named the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge during the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend. As of 2025, Drummond's estimated net worth is approximately $40 million. He has endorsement deals with brands such as Panini Group, EA Sports, JBL, Pandora Media, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Jordan Brand, Fashion Nova, Nike, AT&T, and Gillette.
Kris Dunn
Kris Dunnwas born on March 18, 1994, in New London, Connecticut. He is 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 205 pounds. Dunn plays as a guard and is known for his strong defensive skills and ability to distribute the ball. He attended Providence College, where he earned Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in both 2015 and 2016. During his college career, he averaged 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
In the 2016 NBA Draft, Dunn was selected fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has played for several NBA teams, including the Timberwolves (2016–2017), Chicago Bulls (2017–2020), Atlanta Hawks (2020–2021), Portland Trail Blazers (2021–2022), Utah Jazz (2022–2024), and Los Angeles Clippers (2024–present). As of the 2024–25 season, he is averaging 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 43.9%. Throughout his NBA career, Dunn has not won any championship rings.
As of 2025, Kris Dunn's estimated net worth is around $10 million, primarily from his NBA contracts and endorsement deals.
Sly Williams
Sylvester "Sly Williamswas born on January 26, 1958, in New Haven, Connecticut. He stood 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 210 pounds. Williams played as a small forward and shooting guard. He was drafted in the first round as the 21st overall pick by the New York Knicks in the 1979 NBA Draft. His NBA career spanned from 1979 to 1985, during which he played for the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and briefly for the Boston Celtics. Williams appeared in 305 regular-season games, averaging 10.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
Williams played college basketball at the University of Rhode Island from 1976 to 1979. He earned recognition as a Consensus Second-Team All-American in 1979 . Despite signing with the Boston Celtics in 1985, he was released before the team won the 1986 NBA Finals, resulting in no championship rings during his career.
Ryan Gomes
Ryan Gomeswas born on September 1, 1982, in Waterbury, Connecticut. He is 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 245 pounds. Gomes played as a forward, primarily as a small forward and power forward. He was known for his solid scoring and rebounding abilities. In the 2005 NBA Draft, Gomes was selected in the second round with the 50th overall pick by the Boston Celtics. His NBA career included playing for the Boston Celtics (2005–2007), Minnesota Timberwolves (2007–2010), Los Angeles Clippers (2010–2012), and Oklahoma City Thunder (2013–2014). Over his NBA career, Gomes played in 487 games, averaging 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
During his college years, Gomes attended Providence College, where he played from 2001 to 2005. He was recognized as a First Team All-American in 2004 and 2005 and led the Big East in scoring with 21.6 points per game in 2005. He scored a total of 2,138 points and grabbed 1,028 rebounds during his college career. Gomes did not win any NBA championships during his professional career.
Calvin Murphy
Calvin Murphywas born on May 9, 1948, in Norwalk, Connecticut. He stood 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 165 pounds. Murphy played as a point guard and was known for his quickness, scoring ability, and defensive skills. He was drafted in the second round as the 18th overall pick by the San Diego Rockets in the 1970 NBA Draft. Murphy spent his entire 13-season NBA career with the Rockets, who moved to Houston in 1971. He played in 1,002 games, averaging 17.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game. He was selected as an NBA All-Star in 1979 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. Murphy's jersey number 23 was retired by the Houston Rockets. He did not win any NBA championships during his career.
Murphy played college basketball at Niagara University from 1967 to 1970. He was a three-time All-American and scored 2,548 points in 77 games, averaging 33.1 points per game, which ranks among the highest in NCAA history. He once scored 68 points in a game against Syracuse University. Murphy's estimated net worth is $3 million. During his playing career, he had endorsement deals, though they were not as lucrative as those of modern NBA players.
Jordan Williams
Jordan Williamswas born on October 11, 1990, in Torrington, Connecticut. He is 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 260 pounds. Williams played as a center and power forward, known for his strong rebounding and scoring near the basket. He was selected in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft with the 36th overall pick by the New Jersey Nets. During the 2011–12 NBA season, Williams appeared in 43 games for the Nets, averaging 4.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 50.7% . He was later traded to the Atlanta Hawks in July 2012 but was waived before the season began.
Williams played college basketball at the University of Maryland from 2009 to 2011. As a freshman, he started 31 games and was named to the All-ACC Rookie Team. In his sophomore year, he set a school record with 13 consecutive double-doubles and was selected to the Third Team All-America by Fox Sports . After declaring for the NBA Draft, he hired an agent, ending his college eligibility. Williams did not win any NBA championships or receive notable individual awards during his professional career. His estimated career earnings from the NBA are approximately $893,604.
Tremont Waters
Tremont Waterswas born on January 10, 1998, in New Haven, Connecticut. He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds. Waters plays as a point guard and is known for his quickness, ball-handling, and defensive skills. He was selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft with the 51st overall pick. During his NBA career, Waters played for the Boston Celtics (2019–2021), Toronto Raptors (2021–2022), and Washington Wizards (2021–2022). In 40 NBA games, he averaged 3.7 points, 2.1 assists, and 0.9 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 35.4% . He did not win any NBA championships. In the NBA G League, Waters was named Rookie of the Year in 2020 while playing for the Maine Red Claws.
Waters played college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU) from 2017 to 2019. Over two seasons, he averaged 15.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.1 rebounds per game. He was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and earned All-SEC honors . After his NBA tenure, Waters continued his professional career internationally, including playing for the Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rico . His estimated net worth is approximately $1.49 million.
Charles Smith
Charles Smithwas born on July 16, 1965, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 245 pounds, he played as a power forward and occasionally as a small forward. Smith was known for his scoring ability, rebounding, and shot-blocking skills. He played college basketball at the University of Pittsburgh from 1984 to 1988, where he earned honors such as Big East Player of the Year in 1988 and had his jersey number 32 retired by the school. Internationally, he represented the United States, winning a gold medal at the 1986 FIBA World Championship and a bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics.
In the 1988 NBA Draft, Smith was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He played for the Clippers from 1988 to 1992, averaging 19 points per game during his tenure. Smith then joined the New York Knicks (1992–1996) and later the San Antonio Spurs (1996–1998). Over his 10-season NBA career, he played in 564 regular-season games, averaging 14.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1989. Smith did not win an NBA championship during his career.
After retiring from professional basketball in 1998, Smith became involved in various business ventures. He served as the Executive Vice President of Lakeland Financial Corp and, as of 2025, his estimated net worth is at least $8 million.
Frank Oleynick
Frank Oleynickwas born on February 20, 1955, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds during his playing career. Oleynick played as a point guard and shooting guard, known for his ball-handling, passing, and shooting skills. He was selected by the Seattle SuperSonics as the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 1975 NBA Draft. Oleynick played two seasons with the SuperSonics from 1975 to 1977, appearing in 102 games. He averaged 5.0 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 38.6% and a free throw percentage of 70.8% . He did not win any NBA championships during his career.
Oleynick played college basketball at Seattle University, where he averaged 22.6 points per game over his career, the third-highest in the program's history. He was named West Coast Athletic Conference (WCAC) Player of the Year in 1974 and earned First-team All-WCAC honors in 1974 and 1975 . Internationally, he represented the United States at the 1974 FIBA World Championship, winning a bronze medal.
Mike Gminski
Mike Gminskiwas born on August 3, 1959, in Monroe, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds, he played as a center. Gminski was known for his strong presence in the paint, contributing both offensively and defensively. He attended Duke University from 1976 to 1980, where he had a standout college career. At Duke, he scored 2,323 points and averaged 19 points per game. He was named ACC Player of the Year in 1979, earned All-American honors in 1979 and 1980, and was a three-time First-team All-ACC selection from 1978 to 1980. His jersey number 43 was retired by Duke University.
Gminski was selected by the New Jersey Nets as the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 1980 NBA Draft. He played 14 seasons in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets (1980–1988), Philadelphia 76ers (1988–1991), Charlotte Hornets (1991–1993), and Milwaukee Bucks (1993–1994). Over his NBA career, he played in 938 regular-season games, averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. Gminski did not win an NBA championship during his career.
After retiring from professional basketball, Gminski became a college basketball analyst for CBS Sports. As of May 2025, his estimated net worth is around $1 million.
John Bagley
John Bagleywas born on April 23, 1960, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 185 pounds, he played as a point guard. Bagley was known for his playmaking skills and leadership on the court. He attended Boston College from 1979 to 1982, where he earned accolades such as Big East Player of the Year in 1981 and was a two-time First-team All-Big East selection in 1981 and 1982. He was also named to the Third-team All-American by the NABC in 1982.
In the 1982 NBA Draft, Bagley was selected 12th overall in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played in the NBA for 11 seasons, representing the Cleveland Cavaliers (1982–1987), New Jersey Nets (1987–1989), Boston Celtics (1989–1993), and Atlanta Hawks (1993–1994). Over his NBA career, Bagley appeared in 665 regular-season games, averaging 8.7 points, 6.0 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game. He did not win any NBA championships during his career.
After retiring from professional basketball, Bagley returned to his hometown and became involved in coaching. In 2017, he was appointed as the head coach of the boys' basketball team at Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, his alma mater.
John Garris
John Garriswas born on June 6, 1959, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He stood 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighed 205 pounds. Garris played as a power forward and was known for his strong inside presence and rebounding skills. He began his college basketball career at the University of Michigan (1978–1980) before transferring to Boston College (1981–1983). At Boston College, he averaged 10.4 points and 4.9 rebounds over 94 games, with a field goal percentage of 57.9%. He was named to the All-Big East team in 1983 and was recognized as an NCAA All-Region player twice.
Garris was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the 27th overall pick in the second round of the 1983 NBA Draft. He played one season (1983–84) with the Cavaliers, appearing in 33 games and averaging 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. After his time in the NBA, Garris continued his professional basketball career internationally. He played for teams in Spain, including Zaragoza, and in France for Basket CRO Lyon and FC Mulhouse Basket.
Jay Murphy
Jay Murphywas born on June 26, 1962, in Meriden, Connecticut. He stood 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 220 pounds. Murphy played as a power forward and was known for his scoring and rebounding abilities. He attended Boston College from 1980 to 1984, where he averaged 14.6 points per game over his four-year career. Murphy led the Eagles to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight, as well as one National Invitation Tournament. He was a three-time All-Big East honoree, earning first-team honors as a senior, and ranks sixth on the school's career scoring list with 1,795 points and seventh in rebounds with 763.
In the 1984 NBA Draft, Murphy was selected in the second round (31st overall) by the Golden State Warriors but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He played four seasons in the NBA with the Clippers and the Washington Bullets, appearing in 67 games and averaging 2.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. After his NBA career, Murphy played professionally in the United States Basketball League for the Springfield Fame and in Europe for teams including Paris Basket Racing, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, and Fabriano Basket, before retiring in 1995. Murphy did not win any NBA championships or receive notable individual awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
Tyson Wheeler
Tyson Wheelerwas born on October 8, 1975, in New Britain, Connecticut. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds. Wheeler played as a point guard, known for his quickness and playmaking skills. He attended the University of Rhode Island from 1994 to 1998, where he became the school's all-time leader in assists with 712. During his college career, he was a four-time All-Atlantic 10 selection and led the Rams to the Elite Eight in the 1998 NCAA Tournament alongside teammate Cuttino Mobley.
In the 1998 NBA Draft, Wheeler was selected in the second round (47th overall) by the Toronto Raptors. He played one game in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets during the 1998–99 season, recording 4 points and 2 assists in 3 minutes. After his brief NBA stint, Wheeler had a professional career spanning from 1998 to 2008, playing for various teams in the Continental Basketball Association and overseas in countries including Turkey, Israel, France, Italy, Portugal, and Romania. He was named to the All-CBA Second Team and led the league in assists in 2003.
Wheeler did not win any NBA championships or receive major individual awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. Following his playing career, he transitioned into coaching, serving as an assistant coach at Fairfield University (2010–2019), the University of Massachusetts (2019–2022), and currently at Brown University since 2022.
Billy Evans
Billy Evans, born William D. Evans on March 3, 1947, in New Haven, Connecticut, is a former professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds, he played as a point guard. Evans attended Hillhouse High School before playing college basketball at Boston College from 1966 to 1969. During his collegiate career, he became the all-time assist leader at Boston College with 669 assists and led the team to the NIT championship game in his senior year. He was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975.
In the 1969 NBA Draft, Evans was selected in the 13th round (175th overall) by the Boston Celtics but did not play for them. Instead, he played one season (1969–1970) in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the New York Nets. During his ABA career, Evans appeared in 53 games, averaging 1.9 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. He did not win any championship rings or receive major individual awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
John Williamson
John Williamson, born on November 10, 1951, in New Haven, Connecticut, stood 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds. He played as a shooting guard, known for his scoring ability and clutch performances. Williamson attended New Mexico State University, where he played college basketball before turning professional.
Williamson began his professional career in the American Basketball Association (ABA) with the New York Nets in 1973. He played with the Nets until 1976, winning two ABA championships in 1974 and 1976. After the ABA-NBA merger, he continued with the Nets in the NBA, and also played for the Indiana Pacers and Washington Bullets. Over his ABA/NBA career, Williamson scored a total of 9,017 points, averaging 20.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He still holds Nets team records, including most free throw attempts in a game, with 24.
Williamson did not receive major individual awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. His jersey number 23 was retired by the New Jersey Nets on December 7, 1990.
Chris Smith
Christopher Smith, born on May 17, 1970, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a former professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, he played as a point guard. Smith attended the University of Connecticut (UConn) from 1988 to 1992, where he became the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,145 points and set a Big East Conference record with 1,140 points. He also led UConn in career three-point field goals with 242 and was named First-team All-Big East in 1992. Additionally, he represented the United States in the 1990 FIBA World Championship, earning a bronze medal.
In the 1992 NBA Draft, Smith was selected in the second round (34th overall) by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played three seasons (1992–1995) with the Timberwolves, appearing in 224 games and averaging 5.1 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game. After his NBA tenure, Smith continued his basketball career internationally and in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), playing for teams such as Cáceres CB in Spain, Limoges CSP in France, and Maccabi Ra'anana in Israel. He did not win any NBA championship rings or receive major individual awards like MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
Donovan Clingan
Donovan Clingan, born on February 23, 2004, in Bristol, Connecticut, is an American professional basketball player. Standing 7 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 280 pounds, he plays the center position. Clingan played college basketball at the University of Connecticut (UConn) from 2022 to 2024, where he contributed to the team's back-to-back NCAA championships in 2023 and 2024. In his sophomore season, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game, while shooting 63.9% from the field.
In the 2024 NBA Draft, Clingan was selected seventh overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. He signed a four-year contract worth $31 million, with $14 million guaranteed. During his rookie season, he achieved a notable performance with 17 points and 20 rebounds in a single game, becoming the first Blazers rookie since 1985 to record 20 or more rebounds in a game. Clingan is known for his traditional center playing style, focusing on defense, rebounding, and rim protection.
Off the court, Clingan has secured name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals with brands such as Dunkin' and Kim Kardashian's SKIMS clothing line, reportedly earning him over $1 million during his college career. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $100,000. He has not yet won any NBA championships or received major individual awards like MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
Keith Closs
Keith Mitchell Closs Jr., born on April 3, 1976, in Hartford, Connecticut, is a former professional basketball player and current coach. Standing 7 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 212 pounds, he played as a center. Closs attended Central Connecticut State University from 1994 to 1996, where he led the NCAA in blocked shots for two consecutive seasons, averaging 5.3 blocks per game in 1995 and 6.4 in 1996.
Keith Clossbegan his professional career with the Norwich Neptunes in 1996 before joining the Los Angeles Clippers in 1997. Over three NBA seasons (1997–2000), he appeared in 130 games, averaging 3.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game . He holds the Clippers' record for most blocked shots per 48 minutes (4.7) . After his NBA tenure, Closs played for various teams in the Continental Basketball Association and overseas, including stints in China. He did not win any NBA championships or receive major individual awards like MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
Throughout his NBA career, Closs earned approximately $6.24 million . As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $5 million.
Worthy Patterson
Worthington R. "Worthy Patterson" Jr. was born on June 17, 1931, in New Haven, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, he played as a guard. Patterson attended Greenwich High School and the Tilton School before enrolling at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where he played basketball from 1951 to 1954. He was a two-time All-Yankee Conference selection and helped lead UConn to three consecutive conference championships. In 2012, he was inducted into the Huskies of Honor.
In 1957, Patterson became the first UConn alumnus to play in an NBA game, joining the St. Louis Hawks. He appeared in four games during the 1957–58 season, averaging 1.8 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. After his brief NBA stint, he played for the Scranton Miners in the Eastern Professional Basketball League from 1958 to 1960. Patterson did not win any NBA championships or receive major individual awards like MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
Following his basketball career, Patterson worked in the music industry, holding executive positions at RCA, Warner Bros., and Motown Records. He passed away on December 6, 2022, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 91.
Michael Gbinije
Michael Patrick Gbinije was born on June 5, 1992, in Hartford, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. Gbinije is a versatile player who primarily plays as a shooting guard or small forward. He began his college basketball career at Duke University in the 2011–2012 season but transferred to Syracuse University, where he played from 2013 to 2016. At Syracuse, he had a standout senior year, averaging 17.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, leading the team to the NCAA Final Four.
Gbinije was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the 49th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft. During the 2016–2017 NBA season, he appeared in nine games for the Pistons, averaging 0.4 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game. Following his time in the NBA, he played for several teams, including the Grand Rapids Drive, Santa Cruz Warriors, Mitteldeutscher BC in Germany, Nevėžis Kėdainiai in Lithuania, Oklahoma City Blue, Cape Town Tigers, and Tabiat Tehran. Gbinije also represented Nigeria in international competition, contributing to the team's gold medal win at AfroBasket 2015 and participating in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Throughout his professional basketball career, Gbinije earned approximately $1.15 million in salary.
Chris Dudley
Christen Guilford "Chris" Dudley was born on February 22, 1965, in Stamford, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds. Dudley played as a center in the NBA, known for his strong defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking abilities. He attended Yale University from 1983 to 1987, where he was a three-time All-Ivy League selection and finished his college career with 1,290 points, ranking 12th in school history.
Dudley was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the 75th overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft. He played 16 seasons in the NBA, appearing in 886 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, and Phoenix Suns. Throughout his career, he averaged 3.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Dudley did not win any NBA championships or receive major individual awards like MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
After retiring from professional basketball, Dudley became a financial advisor, working with high-net-worth clients, including professional athletes and entertainers. He also founded The Dudley Foundation, focusing on advocacy for people with diabetes, having been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 16. In 2010, he ran as the Republican nominee for Governor of Oregon but lost the election to Democrat John Kitzhaber. During his NBA career, Dudley earned over $32 million in salary.
Greg Stokes
Gregory Lewis Stokes was born on August 5, 1963, in New Haven, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. Stokes played as a power forward and center, known for his strong inside presence. He attended Hamilton High School in Ohio, where he was named Ohio’s High School Class AAA Player of the Year and a Parade All-American in 1981. He played college basketball at the University of Iowa from 1981 to 1985, finishing as the school's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,768 points. His jersey number 41 was retired by the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Stokes was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 1985 NBA Draft. He played two NBA seasons: 1985–86 with the 76ers and 1989–90 with the Sacramento Kings, appearing in a total of 42 games. He averaged 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game in his NBA career. In the 1986 playoffs, he played seven games, averaging 3.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Stokes also had a successful international career, playing for teams in Italy, Spain, and Australia. He did not win any NBA championships or receive major individual awards like MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
Eddie Lucas
Edward Howard "Eddie" Lucas was born on July 14, 1975, in Groton, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. Lucas played as a guard, known for his scoring ability and versatility on the court. He began his collegiate basketball career at the United States Naval Academy, earning All-Patriot League honors in his sophomore year. After transferring to Virginia Tech, he led the Hokies in scoring during the 1998–99 season with an average of 15.1 points per game and achieved a 45.5% three-point shooting percentage, leading the Atlantic 10 Conference in that category. Lucas majored in civil engineering during his time at Virginia Tech.
In the 1999 NBA Draft, Lucas was selected by the Utah Jazz as the 58th and final pick in the second round. Although he signed with the Jazz, he was waived before the season started and did not play in any NBA games. Lucas then pursued an international basketball career, playing for teams in Argentina (Libertad de Sunchales), France (Hermine de Nantes Atlantique), Russia (Spartak Saint Petersburg), Israel (Bnei Herzliya/Bnei HaSharon), and Poland (Unia Tarnów). While with Nantes in France, he averaged 18.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, shooting 51% from the field.
After retiring from professional basketball, Lucas co-founded Interactive Drills, an athletic training company, alongside former football player Chris James. He furthered his education by earning a master's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus on Construction Management from Virginia Tech. In 2011, Lucas was residing in Fayetteville, North Carolina, working as a production manager for Highland Construction.
Bob Staak
Robert John Staak was born on December 22, 1947, in Darien, Connecticut. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds, he played as a guard. Staak began his collegiate basketball career at St. John's University but transferred to the University of Connecticut (UConn), where he played from 1968 to 1971. At UConn, he served as a two-year co-captain and was named the team's Most Valuable Player in his senior year. He concluded his college career as the school's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,288 points. After college, Staak signed with the Pittsburgh Condors of the American Basketball Association (ABA) but was released during the preseason and did not play in any regular-season games.
Staak transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant at UConn, then at William & Mary, and later at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was part of the coaching staff that led the team to the 1979 NCAA Final Four. He became the head coach and athletic director at Xavier University from 1979 to 1985, compiling an 88–86 record. Under his leadership, Xavier won the Midwestern Collegiate Conference (MCC) regular-season title in 1981 and the MCC Tournament in 1983, earning an NCAA Tournament berth that year. Staak was named MCC Coach of the Year in 1981. He then served as head coach at Wake Forest University from 1985 to 1989, with a 45–69 record. Staak also held various assistant coaching positions in the NBA, including with the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Washington Bullets (serving as interim head coach for one game in 1997), Golden State Warriors, and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies. Later, he worked as a scout for the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic, and as of 2012, he was a personnel scout for the Miami Heat.
Staak's contributions to basketball have been recognized through his inductions into several halls of fame, including the Xavier Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, the Greater Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, and the UConn Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Paul McCracken
Paul George McCracken was born on September 11, 1950, in New York City, New York. He stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds. McCracken played as a shooting guard. He attended Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Connecticut, and played college basketball at Los Angeles City College from 1968 to 1970 before transferring to California State University, Northridge, where he played from 1970 to 1972. At Cal State Northridge, he set the school's single-season rebound record with 330 in the 1970–71 season, was a two-time All-American, two-time All-California Collegiate Athletic Association selection, and was named the 1972 CCAA Most Valuable Player. He was inducted into the school's Matador Hall of Fame in 1993.
McCracken went undrafted in the 1972 NBA Draft but signed with the Houston Rockets, making his NBA debut on February 6, 1973. He played for the Rockets from 1972 to 1974 and later for the Chicago Bulls during the 1976–77 season. In total, he appeared in 37 NBA games, averaging 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. Beyond the NBA, McCracken had a successful career in other leagues. He played in the Eastern Basketball Association (EBA) and Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for teams such as the Hazleton Bullets, Allentown Jets, Wilkes-Barre Barons, and Hawaii Volcanos, averaging 19.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game over four years. His standout season was in 1977–78 with the Wilkes-Barre Barons, where he averaged 31.6 points per game and was named the EBA Most Valuable Player. McCracken also played internationally for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel during the 1978–79 season and for the Galleon Shippers in the Philippines in 1980.
Throughout his professional basketball career, McCracken did not win any NBA championship rings or receive notable NBA awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
Courtney Alexander
Courtney Jason Alexander was born on April 27, 1977, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 205 pounds. Alexander played as a shooting guard. He attended Charles E. Jordan High School in Durham, North Carolina, before playing college basketball at the University of Virginia (1995–1997) and then transferring to Fresno State University (1998–2000). At Fresno State, he led the nation in scoring during the 1999–2000 season and was named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Player of the Year. He also earned consensus second-team All-American honors in 2000.
Alexander was selected 13th overall in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic but was immediately traded to the Dallas Mavericks. During his rookie season (2000–01), he played for both the Mavericks and the Washington Wizards, averaging 9.5 points per game. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team that year. He continued with the Wizards through the 2001–02 season, averaging 9.8 points per game. In the 2002–03 season, he played for the New Orleans Hornets, averaging 7.9 points per game. Over his NBA career, Alexander played in 187 regular-season games, averaging 9.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
Alexander did not win any NBA championship rings or receive major awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. His professional career was hindered by injuries, including a torn Achilles tendon in 2003. He attempted comebacks with the Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets but was released before playing any games due to injuries.
Tom Callahan
Thomas Francis Callahan was born on June 2, 1921, in Stamford, Connecticut, and passed away on October 3, 1996, in the same city. He stood 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed 180 pounds. Callahan played as a guard and was right-handed. He attended Stamford High School in Connecticut and later played collegiate basketball at Rockhurst University, where he was a multi-sport athlete, participating in baseball, football, and basketball. He captained the Rockhurst football team in his senior year and was inducted into the Rockhurst Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992.
Callahan's professional basketball career was brief; he played for the Providence Steamrollers during the 1946–47 season in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA. He appeared in 13 games, averaging 1.3 points and 0.3 assists per game. He was not drafted into the NBA and did not win any championship rings or receive notable awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. Beyond basketball, Callahan also played baseball and was selected for the United States national team that participated in the 1939 Amateur World Series in Havana, Cuba.
Jim Johnstone
James Robert Johnstone was born on September 20, 1960, in New Canaan, Connecticut. He is 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 245 pounds. Johnstone played as a power forward and center. He attended Lewiston-Porter Central High School in Youngstown, New York, and played college basketball at Wake Forest University from 1978 to 1982. During his college career, he averaged 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and was named to the Second-Team All-ACC in 1982.
In the 1982 NBA Draft, Johnstone was selected in the third round as the 51st overall pick by the Kansas City Kings. However, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he played seven games during the 1982–83 season. Later that season, he joined the Detroit Pistons and appeared in 16 games. Overall, he played 23 NBA games, averaging 1.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. After his NBA stint, Johnstone played internationally, including seasons with Scaligera Verona in Italy, Le Mans Sarthe in France, and Mens Sana Basket in Italy.
Johnstone did not win any NBA championship rings or receive major awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year.
Elijah Hughes
Elijah Wayne Hughes was born on March 10, 1998, in Poughkeepsie, New York. He is 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters) tall and weighs 215 pounds (97 kilograms). Hughes plays as a shooting guard and small forward, known for his scoring ability and versatility on the court. He began his college basketball career at East Carolina University before transferring to Syracuse University, where he played from 2018 to 2020. At Syracuse, he averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game over 66 games. In his junior year, he earned First-Team All-ACC honors.
In the 2020 NBA Draft, Hughes was selected 39th overall in the second round by the New Orleans Pelicans, who then traded his rights to the Utah Jazz. He played 18 games for the Jazz during the 2020–21 season. In February 2022, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, appearing in 36 games for them. Across his NBA career, Hughes played a total of 54 games, averaging 2.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game. He also spent time in the NBA G League with the Salt Lake City Stars, Wisconsin Herd, and Cleveland Charge. In April 2025, Hughes signed with CB Breogán of the Spanish Liga ACB.
Hughes has not won any NBA championship rings or received major individual awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. His estimated net worth is approximately $4.3 million, primarily from his NBA contracts.
Yuta Watanabe
Yuta Watanabe was born on October 13, 1994, in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, and grew up in Miki, Kagawa. He stands 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall and weighs 215 pounds (98 kilograms). Watanabe plays as a small forward and is known for his strong defense and three-point shooting. He attended George Washington University from 2014 to 2018, where he became the first Japanese-born student-athlete to secure an NCAA Division I basketball scholarship. During his college career, he was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and ranks second in school history in blocks (147) and games played (134).
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, Watanabe signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. He later played for the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. Over six NBA seasons, he appeared in 213 regular-season games, averaging 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game . Watanabe has not won any NBA championship rings . In 2024, he signed a historic deal with the Chiba Jets in Japan's B.League, with the contract reportedly exceeding $5 million . As of 2025, his estimated net worth is around $8 million.
Devin Ebanks
Devin Ebanks, born on October 28, 1989, in Queens, New York, is a 6-foot-9-inch (2.06 meters), 215-pound (97.5 kilograms) small forward. Known for his defensive skills and rebounding, he played college basketball at West Virginia University from 2008 to 2010. During his college career, Ebanks averaged 11.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game over two seasons. He was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft. Ebanks played three seasons with the Lakers from 2010 to 2013, appearing in 63 regular-season games and averaging 3.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.
After his time in the NBA, Ebanks continued his professional basketball career internationally, playing in countries such as Israel, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. He also participated in the BIG3 basketball league. Ebanks did not win any NBA championship rings during his tenure with the Lakers. His estimated career earnings from the NBA total approximately $2.28 million.
Isaiah Thomas
Isaiah Thomas, born on February 7, 1989, in Tacoma, Washington, is a 5-foot-9-inch (1.75 meters), 185-pound (83.9 kilograms) point guard known for his scoring ability and quickness. He played college basketball at the University of Washington from 2008 to 2011, earning three All-Pac-10 selections and finishing sixth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,721 points. Thomas was selected by the Sacramento Kings as the 60th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Over his NBA career, he played for several teams, including the Kings, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets, and Phoenix Suns again. As of early 2025, he joined the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Utah Jazz, in an effort to return to the NBA.
Throughout his NBA career, Thomas appeared in 556 regular-season games, averaging 17.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game. His most notable season was in 2016–17 with the Boston Celtics, where he averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game, earning All-NBA Second Team honors and finishing fifth in MVP voting. Despite his individual success, Thomas has not won an NBA championship ring. He has not received major awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is $16 million.
Dorell Wright
Dorell Lawrence Wright, born on December 2, 1985, in Los Angeles, California, is a 6-foot-9-inch (2.06 meters), 205-pound (93 kilograms) former professional basketball player who played as a small forward. He was selected directly out of high school by the Miami Heat as the 19th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Wright played for the Miami Heat (2004–2010), Golden State Warriors (2010–2012), Philadelphia 76ers (2012–2013), and Portland Trail Blazers (2013–2015). In the 2015–2016 season, he briefly returned to the Heat. Over his NBA career, Wright appeared in 549 regular-season games, averaging 8.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
Wright was known for his three-point shooting, leading the NBA in three-pointers made during the 2010–2011 season and participating in the NBA Three-Point Contest in 2011. He won one NBA championship ring with the Miami Heat in 2006. Wright did not attend college, opting instead to enter the NBA Draft directly from high school. His estimated net worth is approximately $2 million.
Andray Blatche
Andray Maurice Blatche was born on August 22, 1986, in Syracuse, New York. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters) and weighing 260 pounds (118 kilograms), he played as a power forward and center. Blatche attended Henninger High School in Syracuse before transferring to South Kent School in Connecticut. He entered the 2005 NBA Draft directly from high school and was selected by the Washington Wizards as the 49th overall pick in the second round. He played for the Wizards from 2005 to 2012 and then for the Brooklyn Nets from 2012 to 2014. After his NBA career, he played overseas, including a notable stint with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in China.
During his nine-season NBA career, Blatche appeared in 564 regular-season games, averaging 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He did not win any NBA championships or receive major individual awards such as MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. Blatche did not attend college, having declared for the NBA Draft directly from high school. His estimated net worth in 2025 is approximately $10 million, accumulated through his NBA salary, endorsements, and overseas contracts.
Russ Smith
Russ Anton Smith was born on April 19, 1991, in Brooklyn, New York. He stands 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall and weighs 165 pounds (74.8 kilograms). Smith played as a point guard, known for his quickness and scoring ability. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, New York, before transferring to South Kent School in Connecticut. Smith played college basketball at the University of Louisville, where he was a key player in the team's 2013 NCAA championship win. He was named a consensus first-team All-American in his senior year.
In the 2014 NBA Draft, Smith was selected in the second round as the 47th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans shortly after the draft. Smith played for the Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies during his NBA career, which spanned from 2014 to 2016. Over 27 NBA games, he averaged 2.0 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. Smith did not win any NBA championships or receive major individual awards. After his NBA tenure, he continued his professional basketball career overseas, including playing for Pallacanestro Nardò in Italy's Serie A2 league.
Maurice Harkless
Maurice José "Moe" Harkless was born on May 11, 1993, in Queens, New York. He stands 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters) tall and weighs 220 pounds (100 kilograms). Harkless plays as a small forward and power forward, known for his defensive skills and athleticism. He attended Forest Hills High School in New York City before transferring to South Kent School in Connecticut. Harkless played college basketball at St. John's University during the 2011–2012 season, where he averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and was named the Big East Rookie of the Year.
In the 2012 NBA Draft, Harkless was selected 15th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers but was traded to the Orlando Magic before playing a game. He played for the Magic from 2012 to 2015, then for the Portland Trail Blazers from 2015 to 2019. Harkless also had stints with the Los Angeles Clippers (2019–2020), New York Knicks (2020), Miami Heat (2020–2021), and Sacramento Kings (2021–2022). In the 2023–2024 season, he played for the Rip City Remix in the NBA G League. Over his NBA career, Harkless appeared in 621 regular-season games, averaging 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. He has not won any NBA championships or received major individual awards. Harkless has represented the Puerto Rican national team in international competitions. As of 2025, Harkless's estimated career earnings from NBA contracts total approximately $62.4 million.
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