Fansided

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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SANTA MONICA, CA – APRIL 11: Rashad McCants and Ricky Davis pose for a photo at the BIG3 2018 Player Combine at Santa Monica College on April 11, 2018, in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for BIG3)
SANTA MONICA, CA – APRIL 11: Rashad McCants and Ricky Davis pose for a photo at the BIG3 2018 Player Combine at Santa Monica College on April 11, 2018, in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for BIG3) /

18. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Rashad McCants

A sweet-shooting guard for North Carolina, Rashad McCants looked like a lock to have a lengthy NBA career. A key member of the Tar Heels’ 2005 national championship team, McCants averaged 16.4 points per game to help North Carolina take down a loaded Illinois team to earn the program’s first title since 1993.

There were underlying issues for McCants at North Carolina, who compared playing at the school to being in a prison, making his decision to go pro after the title a given. McCants was taken at the end of the lottery by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who used the 14th overall pick to secure McCants’ services.

Injuries plagued McCants early in his career and he was never able to truly crack Minnesota’s starting lineup. The Timberwolves gave up on McCants midway through his fourth season, trading him to Sacramento in a deal that ended up serving no real benefit to either side.

McCants never played in the NBA again after that, having a contract with the Houston Rockets rescinded due to an ab injury, eventually winding up overseas. The move worked out for McCants, who played internationally until 2015 and resurfaced in the U.S. in the BIG3, but his NBA potential was wasted.