For the NBA, if it is to maintain the longevity of the league, then there must be an injection of fresh blood, from Russell and Chamberlain, to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and then from Jordan, to Kobe, James, which is the secret of the NBA's prosperity in the past 75 years. In addition to the large number of high school students pouring into the league in the decade before and after the new century, the NBA's reserve force is undoubtedly from the NCAA, especially famous schools such as Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, etc., which provide a large number of potential stars for the league.
In the past ten years, only 2 students have entered the NBA, but they are still sought after by the league and are widely praised in the college basketball world. Because the players who enter the NBA from them are basically able to stand in the league, this university is Wake Forest University. Let's take a look at the top five stars in the history of Wake Forest University.
Tim Duncan
There is no doubt that it was the number one forward in NBA history that made Wake Forest University one of the top schools. Duncan played for Wake Forest University for 4 years, and although he failed to help the team win the NCAA championship, he still won most of the honors in the school's history. Duncan can average 20.8 points per game, 14.7 rebounds, 3.7 blocks per game in college, he surpassed his peers, and even exceeded the personal ability of many NBA superstars, making him a senior year, many NBA teams in order to get him, have to fight for the title, which is quite rare in NBA history.
And after entering the NBA, he did not let the Spurs who selected him disappointed, as he said, "Let's win together", in the 19 seasons with the NBA, Duncan has not missed the playoffs in a single year, and helped the team win the NBA championship five times, he also won all the personal and team honors of the NBA, whether it is in the Wake Forest University team, or in the 75 years of NBA history, Duncan will always be the shining superstar.
Chris Paul
Like his brother Duncan, Paul is one of the legends in the history of the Wake Forest University team. Paul, a freshman at the time, averaged 15 points and six assists per game, and showed his perfect personal ability in the crazy March, helping the team return to the round of 16 after many years.
The two-year NCAA career has allowed scouts to see the potential of the top NBA point guards in the future, second only to Duncan's personal performance and honors, and has given Paul a great future.
After joining the league in 2005, Paul did reveal his "point guard master" attributes. In the 07-08 season, Paul, who was only in the third grade at the time, became the first player in 20 years to score and assist 20+10 in 20 years, and was second only to Kobe Bryant in the MVP selection.
That year's Western Conference semifinals, also a glorious moment at Wake Forest University, Duncan and Paul fought their own battles and staged a division brother war. Today, the 37-year-old Paul has been galloping in the NBA for 17 years, has already left a brilliant mark in the history of the NBA, and he is also constantly fighting for his first championship.
John Collins
Compared with the two big brothers in the history of the school, Collins seems to be a lot younger, but as one of the only two varsity players to enter the NBA in the past decade, Collins definitely deserves to be praised.
Like Paul, Collins played for school for two years, especially after being established as the core of the team in his sophomore year, he averaged 19.2 points per game, and became the fastest improving player in the ACC league and the best team in the division, which is such a good performance that he chose to enter the NBA.
After entering the NBA, he also showed great talent and potential, and every year is a big step forward. In his third year in particular, he had grown to an All-Star-level power forward averaging 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Although the statistics have declined in these two seasons, it is not his lack of ability, but the sacrifice of the ball and the impact of injuries.
And last season, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Collins, who is now only 24 years old, has a lot of time and opportunities in the future to continue to prove his worth.
Jeff Teague
Teague, who has been criticized by fans for the past two years, is actually a legend in the history of Wake Forest University. Also playing for the varsity team for two years, Teague became one of the cores of the team during his sophomore season. Averaging 18.8 points per game, plus a 44 percent three-point shooting percentage, he and James Johnson's inner and outer partners have all but reinvigorated the team's grandeur. And he and Johnson were selected at the same time in 2009, which is also a rare moment in the history of the varsity team.
Although retired and questioned in the past for long periods of consistent possession, Teague is definitely one of the best point guards in the NBA. During his several years with the Hawks, he grew and helped the team do miracles. Especially in the 14-15 season, he averaged 15.9 points per game and 7 assists to be selected as an All-Star, and the team won the first place in the East that year, which was the most brilliant moment. And even if he gradually fell out of the starting lineup due to injury, he was still able to contribute a lot to the team he played for. Especially last year, he won the championship with the Bucks, and after dreaming of the championship, he also chose to retire.
Josh Howard
Many fans may not be familiar with this player, but the older generation of Rockets fans must know him, as the number two person around Nowitzki, he is not handsome, but has a very good personal ability. What is less well known is that Howard is also from Wake Forest University. Like Duncan, he only went to the NBA after graduating from his senior year, averaging 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, helping the team achieve its first regular season championship in 41 years. Howard also included a number of awards including the best player in the United States, the best player in the ACC league and so on.
After entering the NBA, he also grew rapidly, in the 06-07 season, he averaged 18.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and together with Nowitzki, he helped the Mavericks to play the best team record of 67 wins and 15 losses, and he was also successfully selected as an All-Star. However, this seems to be his peak, and the indiscipline coupled with injury factors has caused the former genius to fall and leave the NBA in 2013.