Greatest CBB players to NOT play in the NCAA Tournament

[bonarae]

I was wondering how the over-hyped Ben Simmons would have a place in the list. His team is not even in the NIT.

I can think of some NBA stars who played 4-year college basketball in any division but did not play in the NCAA Tournament while they were in college:
1. Paul George
2. Jeremy Lin

Can somebody add more to the list?

[JALMOND]

I was wondering how the over-hyped Ben Simmons would have a place in the list. His team is not even in the NIT.

I can think of some NBA stars who played 4-year college basketball in any division but did not play in the NCAA Tournament while they were in college:
1. Paul George
2. Jeremy Lin

Can somebody add more to the list?

I don't think Damian Lillard ever played in the NCAA tournament.

[bonarae]

Yes, but I forgot about him though. Thanks for noticing.

[JALMOND]

I was wondering how the over-hyped Ben Simmons would have a place in the list. His team is not even in the NIT.

I can think of some NBA stars who played 4-year college basketball in any division but did not play in the NCAA Tournament while they were in college:
1. Paul George
2. Jeremy Lin

Can somebody add more to the list?

The first year that Gonzaga made the tournament was in 1995, which means John Stockton never played in the tournament either.

[clenz]

Jeremy Lin is not an NBA star.

I also would pull back on putting him into a category of greatest NCAA player

[bandl]

Jeremy Lin is not an NBA star.

I also would pull back on putting him into a category of greatest NCAA player

I think the point is...
There aren't very many great players who didn't play in the NCAA tourney...
If they really were that great...
Why aren't they playing in the NCAA tourney?
So maybe they aren't that great after all?

[Grizalltheway]

Jeremy Lin is not an NBA star.

I also would pull back on putting him into a category of greatest NCAA player

I think the point is...
There aren't very many great players who didn't play in the NCAA tourney...
If they really were that great...
Why aren't they playing in the NCAA tourney?
So maybe they aren't that great after all?

[bandl]

I think the point is...
There aren't very many great players who didn't play in the NCAA tourney...
If they really were that great...
Why aren't they playing in the NCAA tourney?
So maybe they aren't that great after all?

I was going for that Cleets vibe. Was it annoying enough to read?

[Grizalltheway]

Who?

[bandl]

Who?

Damn right...

[andy7171]

Billy and Benny McCrary

[clenz]

Jeremy Lin is not an NBA star.

I also would pull back on putting him into a category of greatest NCAA player

I think the point is...
There aren't very many great players who didn't play in the NCAA tourney...
If they really were that great...
Why aren't they playing in the NCAA tourney?
So maybe they aren't that great after all?

Your last 3 lines are correct, especially if the criteria is staying all 4 years. The number of guys were stay all four years, and are truly great college players, that don't see the NCAA's at least once is very small.

I'd argue Lillard is one of less than a handful and the only I could name off the top of my head.
Even 1 or two years guys is tough to name, mostly because they go to big name programs. Ben Simmons of LSU this year is likely the only example of that.

[bandl]

I think the point is...
There aren't very many great players who didn't play in the NCAA tourney...
If they really were that great...
Why aren't they playing in the NCAA tourney?
So maybe they aren't that great after all?

I'd argue

Don't care.

[clenz]

I'd argue

Don't care.

[bonarae]

Sorry, I only got the point now. I'm not sure what to think of the criteria as posted. Alright, here are the rules as I proposed:

1. Played 4-year college basketball (regardless of number of years player played in college, any division)
2. Player's team did not participate in the Big Dance in any of his years there
3. Became a star at some point in their professional career (that's why I included Jeremy Lin)

[JALMOND]

Sorry, I only got the point now. I'm not sure what to think of the criteria as posted. Alright, here are the rules as I proposed:

1. Played 4-year college basketball (regardless of number of years player played in college, any division)
2. Player's team did not participate in the Big Dance in any of his years there
3. Became a star at some point in their professional career (that's why I included Jeremy Lin)

I went as far back as 2003 NBA draft (the one LeBron James went #1). The list of NBA players who played in a NBA All-Star game sometime in their career, but did not play in the Big Dance in college.

1. Damian Lillard, Weber State
2. Klay Thompson, Washington State
3. Paul George, Fresno State
4. Paul Milsap, Louisiana Tech
5. Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech

[dal4018]

Pete Maravich never played in the NCAA Tournament!!!! He is the father of SEC Basketball he put that league on the map!!!!!!