Ranking the 10 Greatest NCAA Tournament Runs by Current NBA Players

Some of today's biggest NBA stars once had unforgettable runs in the NCAA Tournament. Here are the 10 best since 2003.

Kemba Walker UConn 2011 Getty
Getty

HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 04: Kemba Walker #15 of the Connecticut Huskies reacts after a play against the Butler Bulldogs during the National Championship Game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 4, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Kemba Walker UConn 2011 Getty

It’s March, and as sports fans we all know what that means. This is the one time of the year when we turn our attention toward college basketball as we agonize over our brackets in hopes of picking that one upset no one else saw coming. Because with UMBC making history a year ago as the only No. 16 seed to knock off a No. 1, last season proved that anything can happen in the Big Dance.

But the NCAA Tournament has also served as a televised audition for those with aspirations of playing in the NBA, and as a result, unforgettable moments and runs through the tourney have been authored by many of today’s biggest ballers. That’s what makes March Madness must-see TV and why we keep watching year after year—you never know when you might be witnessing the NBA’s next superstar on college hoops’ biggest stage.

So, without further ado, these are the best NCAA Tournament runs among today’s NBA stars.

10. Dwyane Wade, Marquette—2003

Dwyane Wade 2003 Marquette Getty

9. Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin—2015

Frank Kaminsky Wisconsin Duke 2015 Getty

8. Wayne Ellington, North Carolina—2009

Wayne Ellington North Carolina 2009 Getty

7. Stephen Curry, Davidson—2008

Steph Curry Davidson 2008 Getty

6. Derrick Rose, Memphis—2008

Derrick Rose Memphis Free Throw 2008 Getty

5. Anthony Davis, Kentucky—2012

Anthony Davis Kentucky 2012 Getty

4. Joakim Noah, Florida—2006

Joakim Noah Florida 2006 Getty

3. Shabazz Napier, UConn—2014

Shabazz Napier UConn 2011 Getty

2. Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse—2003

Carmelo Anthony Syracuse Kansas 2003 NCAA Title Game Getty

1. Kemba Walker, UConn—2011

Kemba Walker UConn 2011 2 Getty

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