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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Drew Gooden #0, Forward for the University of Kansas Jayhawks during the NCAA Big 12 tournament college basketball game against the Kansas State Wildcats on 9th March 2001 at the Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. The Jayhawks won the game 94 – 63. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

29. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Drew Gooden

There have been plenty of Jayhawks who failed to live up to the hype as pros, including Gooden. A power forward at Kansas, Gooden exploded onto the scene in 2002, leading the nation in rebounding and earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors as the Jayhawks won their first conference title since 1998.

Kansas advanced all the way to the Final Four that year before falling to Maryland, which seemed like a natural exit for Gooden. After the season concluded Gooden declared for the NBA Draft, where he was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Gooden had a good start to his career, earning All-Rookie first-team honors, but Memphis moved on by shipping Gooden to Orlando in March of his rookie year. That trade would mark the first of many moves for Gooden, who was a productive role player but never managed to establish himself as a star anywhere.

Gooden did enjoy a solid NBA career, playing for 10 teams over 14 seasons, but Gooden never reached the heights as a pro that he enjoyed at Kansas. A 14-year NBA career is nothing to sneeze at but hopes were definitely higher for him when he was taken fourth overall in 2002.