With the 2024–25 college basketball season wrapping up and the NCAA championship round set, there’s no doubt NBA scouts have taken notice of the young stars who shined throughout the tournament.
Every game offers insight into a player’s true potential, mindset, and versatility. And while it’s common knowledge that reaching the NCAA finals — or winning the title — can skyrocket a player’s NBA Draft stock, few take a deep dive into who’s actually done it in the past. Here’s a look back at college stars who boosted their draft stock the most with NCAA title game heroics.
10 NBA Stars Whose Draft Stock Rose After NCAA Title Game
College basketball is one step away from the NBA, and nearly every top pro has gone through the system. Some stayed multiple years or even graduated before declaring, but others burst onto the scene on the biggest stage, the NCAA Tournament, and made a name for themselves.
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis played college basketball for Kentucky and led his squad to victory in 2012, defeating Kansas and giving Davis his first taste of winning a championship.
The future NBA star recorded a unique stat line during the NCAA title game: six points, six blocks, five assists, three steals, and 16 rebounds. Having an elite defense-focused performance in a must-win situation secured Davis’ positioning as the first pick in his draft class.
Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker was considered by many to be one of the top point guards during his NBA days and had some of the best handles in the league. Walker, once overlooked, became a household name after leading UConn to victory over Butler in 2011.
He scored 16 points with nine rebounds and helped deliver in crunch time. His draft stock skyrocketed, and the then-Charlotte Bobcats grabbed him ninth overall. He quickly became the face of the franchise.
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony was in the same draft class as LeBron James and was considered by many to be one of the three best players in the class, alongside Dwyane Wade.
Perhaps his success in the NCAA championship round aided his supporters’ strong belief in his potential at the professional level. He scored 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists to lead Syracuse to victory over Kansas. That performance led him to be chosen as the third pick in a legendary draft class.
Glen Rice
While he was not an NBA superstar, the three-time NBA All-Star Glen Rice scored more points in an NCAA championship game than almost everyone else on this list. He led Michigan to victory over Seton Hall with an impressive 31 points and 11 rebounds.
This dominant performance on a national stage likely played a role in increasing his draft value. The Miami Heat selected Rice with the fourth pick in the 1989 NBA Draft.
Mario Chalmers
Mario Chalmers wasn’t a projected high pick going into the 2008 NCAA title game, but his clutch performance changed everything. He scored 18 points and drilled the game-tying 3-pointer to force OT, leading Kansas to a win over Memphis. That shot alone earned him a look. He was drafted in the second round and later traded to the Miami Heat, where he won two NBA titles.
Richard Hamilton
Richard Hamilton is another retired NBA star whom many may have forgotten, retiring in 2013. Hamilton established himself as a solid and reliable player throughout his time in the league, and nothing can take that away from him. But in college, he showed the makings of a future three-time NBA All-Star.
He put up 27 points and seven rebounds to help UConn get past Duke and win the NCAA title and was subsequently selected by the Washington Wizards as the seventh pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.
Danny Manning
While Danny Manning was already on draft radars, his title game in 1988 pushed him to the top. He dropped 31 points, 18 rebounds, five steals, and two blocks to lead Kansas over Oklahoma. His dominance earned him the No. 1 overall selection.
While Manning may have failed to establish himself as a superstar during his time in the league, there is no denying that he put on a superhuman performance in the 1988 NCAA title game.
Joakim Noah and Al Horford
Since Joakim Noah and Al Horford played on the same college roster, it makes no sense to view them individually. Both stars led Florida to consecutive NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007. Their draft value also spiked after each college season.
The Atlanta Hawks selected Horford with the third pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, and Noah was selected with the ninth pick by the Chicago Bulls. While they were both certainly on NBA radars following their first title, their back-to-back runs and proven championship pedigree likely bolstered their résumés for draft night.
Michael Jordan
A player many consider the best in league history, Michael Jordan’s success in the NBA was preceded by his success at the college level with the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Jordan recorded 16 points against Georgetown and hit an iconic game-winning jump shot with 15 seconds left in the game, one of many in an illustrious career that has him as a consensus top-two player in NBA history. Meanwhile, his compatriot, James, famously skipped college altogether, jumping to the NBA straight out of high school