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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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Adam Morrison #3 of Gonzaga shoots the ball. Gonzaga defeats Valparaiso 76-49 during the first round of the 2004 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament at Key Arena in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
Adam Morrison #3 of Gonzaga shoots the ball. Gonzaga defeats Valparaiso 76-49 during the first round of the 2004 Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament at Key Arena in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) /

1. College basketball stars who flamed out in NBA: Adam Morrison

There have been plenty of college basketball flameouts in the pros over the years but few are as puzzling as Adam Morrison. A relatively unheralded recruit out of high school, Morrison landed at Gonzaga and proceeded to become one of the nation’s most dominant players.

Morrison led the NCAA in scoring in 2006, averaging 28.1 points per game as he helped the Bulldogs advance to the Sweet 16, where they lost a heartbreaker in the final seconds to UCLA. One of the most memorable images of that game was Morrison collapsing on the floor in tears as the game slipped away, a contest that would turn out to be the end of his college career.

The Charlotte Bobcats selected Morrison with the third overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, making him the first player ever selected by Michael Jordan as an owner. That spotlight put immense pressure on Morrison, who lost his place in the starting lineup by the end of his rookie season thanks to subpar shooting and sloppy defense.

A knee injury severely impacted Morrison’s career as he never became a starter again, quickly fading into obscurity as a bench player for the Los Angeles Lakers’ title teams in 2009 and 2010. Morrison played a few years overseas before retiring in 2012, eventually resurfacing as a radio analyst for Gonzaga basketball.

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