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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5. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Jimmer Fredette

Some college basketball stars burn brightly before dimming out as pros. One player who fits that mold was Jimmer Fredette, who came out of nowhere to become one of the sport’s most electrifying players.

A relatively unheralded recruit, Fredette became a star at BYU, shooting the lights out as a Cougar. Fredette was the national player of the year as a senior, leading the nation in scoring with 28.1 points per game as he helped BYU advance all the way to the Sweet 16.

The Milwaukee Bucks took Fredette with the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft but sent his draft rights to Sacramento in a three-team trade. The trade electrified the Kings’ fan base but Fredette struggled to adapt to the NBA, where his small stature was a liability against more physical defenders.

Fredette lasted just five years in the NBA (aside from a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns during the 2018-19 campaign) before taking his talents overseas. The move to Shanghai has revitalized Fredette, who is pouring in the points again for the Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association, but it doesn’t look like he will be back in the U.S. anytime soon.