NBA: 3 players who defied odds to become good pros

3 NBA players that defied odds to become good pros

When we think about NBA players and the colleges they attended the ones that come up the most are usually Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, or even UCLA. These types of Universities absolutely love playing those lower-ranking teams at the beginning of the year because it’s a tune-up game and sometimes when the beating is bad enough they throw in the manager but have you ever wondered if a student-athlete from one of these teams ever made it big?

Jay Scrubb just got drafted 55th and he’s out of JUCO? Ever broke the odds? Here are some players that did just that and some like Scrubb who played JUCO as well.

Josh Magette (Division II)

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We start the list with journeyman Josh Magette. Magette had the joy of playing his college ball at Alabama- Huntsville University in Alabama. The Division II chargers were a powerhouse with Magette and Magette ran the show on campus while he still holds the career assist record. Fun Fact his senior year the Chargers almost shook everyone in the first game of the year taking ALABAMA into a close game.

Even though they ended up losing 67-60 the Chargers wanted Bama. Anyway, the afterlife as a Charger Magette went undrafted in 2012 but joined the Memphis Grizzlies summer league team. (didn’t appear in a game) After this, he would appear for 11 summer league, G-Leauge, European teams in seven years but finally found in Orlando when he was signed to a two-way contract.

He’s currently still with the Magic but in the G-Leauge where the man is an absolute bucket. He’s posting 21.1 points, 10.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.0 steals while shooting 43.2 percent from the field, 42.8 percent from 3, and 84.1 percent from the line. So whenever the Lakeland Magic are in town go watch Magette catch bodies and dish some dimes.

Jimmy Butler (Juco/Community College)

Everyone has heard the story of the five-time NBA-Allstar, three-time NBA first-team All-NBA Team honoree, and a four-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree. The ride to the top has been bumpy but Jimmy Butler has proven him step every step of the way. After not receiving any D-1 Scholarships after high school Butler attended Tyler Community College in Tyler Texas putting up 18.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in his freshmen campaign with the team.

Considered a two-star recruit after his freshmen year he had interest from Marquette, Iowa State, and Mississippi State. Butler enrolled at Marquette. After that Butler came getting better and the rest is history.

Jae Crowder – Juco

Jae Crowder, unlike Butler, didn’t just play JUCO basketball but played for TWO JUCO programs. To show how much Crowder was ignored coming out of college we just need to tell you this fact. He had more interest in coming out of high school to play FOOTBALL than basketball.

Crowder committed to South Georgia Tech Junior College and lead them to its first-ever NJCAA national tournament appearance in 2008-09. The Raiders finished 21-7 overall and Crowder was Tabbed the Georgia Junior College Athletic Association Player of the Year and garnered NJCAA Second Team All-America accolades. He averaged 17.0 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in the state tournament and his team posted a perfect 20-0 record on its home court.

After this, he would head over to Howard College and helped them win the national championship. He was the 2009-10 NJCAA Player of the Year (voted on by the coaches association) and First Team All-America selection. Averaged 18.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game as a sophomore while shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 76.0 percent from the charity stripe.

After the 2009-10 season, Crowder, just like Jimmy, would pick Marquette and he would continue onto the NBA.