30 forgotten college basketball stars who flamed out in the NBA

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

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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NEW YORK – MARCH 12: Jonny Flynn #10 of the Syracuse Orange talks with head coach Jim Boeheim against the Connecticut Huskies during the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2009, in New York City. (Photo by: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

12. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Jonny Flynn

Syracuse has produced its fair share of NBA players over the years but few superstars since Carmelo Anthony left in 2003. One guy who looked poise to break that trend was Jonny Flynn, who took college basketball by storm in his two years as a member of the Orange.

Flynn dominated in the Big East as a freshman, averaging 15.7 points and 5.3 assists per game on his way to the Big East’s Rookie of the Year award. The highlights continued for Flynn as a sophomore as helped Syracuse reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since their championship year before the Orange fell to Blake Griffin’s Oklahoma team in the regional semifinals.

That would be the last college game Flynn played as he jumped to the pros, where he was taken with the sixth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Flynn had a dominant rookie season, averaging 13.5 points per game and 4.4 assists per game on his way to a spot on the All-Rookie second team, but everything fell apart after offseason hip surgery sapped Flynn’s athleticism.

The hip issue turned Flynn into a completely non-effective player who was out of the league by 2013. To make matters worse for Minnesota, Flynn was taken just one pick ahead of Stephen Curry, costing the Timberwolves a chance at a generational superstar.