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Whatever happened to these 30 college basketball stars who flamed out in the NBA?

By Mike Phillips

NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (R) of the Kentucky Wildcats greets NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after he was selected number two overall by the Charlotte Bobcats during the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - JUNE 28: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (R) of the Kentucky Wildcats greets NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after he was selected number two overall by the Charlotte Bobcats during the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft at Prudential Center on June 28, 2012 in Newark, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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These college basketball stars were poised to dominate in the NBA but flamed out instead.

This post is updated as of 2/14/2023.

One of the annual rites of tradition in the run-up to the NBA Draft is trying to forecast which college basketball stars will succeed at the next level. A dominant performance at the NCAA level can be a great predictor of future success, which appears to be the case with Zion Williamson, while there are still fans wondering what exactly happened to Adam Morrison as a pro.

Let’s take a look at 30 of the brightest college basketball stars who simply didn’t make it at the next level for one reason or another. We’ll kick off our countdown with one of the most prominent North Carolina stars over the past 20 years, Tyler Hansbrough.

30. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Tyler Hansbrough

There have been few college hoops stars who have been more decorated in the one-and-done era than Hansbrough, who became the face of North Carolina basketball. The accolades speak for themselves with Hansbrough, who was a three-time All-American and the consensus National Player of the Year in 2008 for the Tar Heels.

Hansbrough arrived on campus as a freshman after North Carolina won a national championship in 2005 and instantly became a leader for the Tar Heels’ next generation. North Carolina reached the NCAA Tournament in each of Hansbrough’s final three seasons, culminating in a national championship in 2009 to cap off a stellar collegiate career.

Hopes were high for Hansbrough’s NBA career after he was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Hansbrough appeared to breakthrough in his second year in the NBA, entering the starting lineup 21 times and averaging 11 points per game, but he was never able to take the next step to become a true NBA star.

That season would be the highlight for Hansbrough, who started just 20 more games over the following five years and was out of the NBA by 2016. The struggles that Hansbrough had making the adjustment to NBA ball showcases how difficult it truly is for anyone, even a decorated star, to make it as a pro.