[Lotto StudParticipant]

WTF happened to the following guys………..

1. Marcus Taylor Michigan State –
2. Taliek Brown UConn –
3. Omar Cook St. John’s –
4. Alton Ford Houston –
5. Darius Rice Miami (FL) –
6. Andre Barrett Seton Hall –
7. Kelvin Torbert Michigan State –
8. Julius Hodge NC State –
9. Carlos Hurt Louisville –
10. Aaron Miles Kansas –
11. Cedric Bozeman UCLA –
12. James White Cincinnati –
13. Daniel Ewing Duke –
14. Chris Thomas Notre Dame –
15. Daniel Horton Michigan –
16. Lenny Cooke HS –
17. Anthony Roberson Florida –
18. Bracey Wright Indiana –
19. Evan Burns San Diego State –
20. Hassan Adams Arizona –
21. DeAngelo Collins HS –
22. Dee Brown Illinois –
23. Sean Dockery Duke –
24. John Gilchrist Maryland –
25. Ndudi Ebi HS –
26. James Lang HS –
27. Drew Lavender Xavier –
28. Jackie Butler HS –
29. Gary Ervin Mississippi State –
30. Mike Jones Maryland –
31. Dameon Mason Marquette –
32. Sean Banks Memphis –
33. Guillermo Diaz Miami (FL) –
34. Joe Crawford Kentucky –
35. Cedric Simmons NC State –
36. Darius Washington Memphis –
37. Bryon Eaton Oklahoma State –
38. DeMarcus Nelson Duke –
39. Jason Rich Florida State –
40. J.P. Prince Tennessee –
41. Mike Mercer South Florida –
42. Eric Devendorf Syracuse –
43. Davon Jefferson USC –
44. Paul Harris Syracuse –
45. Tweety Carter Baylor –
46. Raymar Morgan Michigan State –
47. Da’Sean Butler West Virginia –
48. Lance Thomas Duke –
49. DaJuan Summers G’Town –
50. Wayne Chism Tennessee –

I am aware that you will not know where all these guys are but could you let me know what’s going on with the ones you have any info on?

[JoeWolf1]

Byron Eton got fat and played on the same Japanese team as Jeremy Tyler last year.

Aaron Miles – he was putting up good numbers in the D-League last year, 8.8 apg and 15 ppg, but his lack of an outside shot has kept him out of the league since he graduated.  Amazing passer and floor general to this day.

[JoeWolf1]

Byron Eton got fat and played on the same Japanese team as Jeremy Tyler last year.

Aaron Miles – he was putting up good numbers in the D-League last year, 8.8 apg and 15 ppg, but his lack of an outside shot has kept him out of the league since he graduated.  Amazing passer and floor general to this day.

[JoeWolf1]

Byron Eton got fat and played on the same Japanese team as Jeremy Tyler last year.

Aaron Miles – he was putting up good numbers in the D-League last year, 8.8 apg and 15 ppg, but his lack of an outside shot has kept him out of the league since he graduated.  Amazing passer and floor general to this day.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thank you

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thank you

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thank you

[sportsjunkyParticipant]

If you go to Eurobasket.com and do a search you will find that alot of these guys play overseas right now.  They have game by game box score numbers for the individual as well.

[sportsjunkyParticipant]

If you go to Eurobasket.com and do a search you will find that alot of these guys play overseas right now.  They have game by game box score numbers for the individual as well.

[sportsjunkyParticipant]

If you go to Eurobasket.com and do a search you will find that alot of these guys play overseas right now.  They have game by game box score numbers for the individual as well.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thanks man…….quite a few guys are suppose to be making a living in the NBA from this list.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thanks man…….quite a few guys are suppose to be making a living in the NBA from this list.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thanks man…….quite a few guys are suppose to be making a living in the NBA from this list.

[sportsjunkyParticipant]

1. Marcus Taylor Michigan State – Unknown
2. Taliek Brown UConn – Last played in Canada
3. Omar Cook St. John’s – Last played in Italy over 2 years ago.
4. Alton Ford Houston – Unknown
5. Darius Rice Miami (FL) – Last played in Bahrain (Asia)
6. Andre Barrett Seton Hall – Last played in France
7. Kelvin Torbert Michigan State – Unknown
8. Julius Hodge NC State – Last played in China
9. Carlos Hurt Louisville – Last played in Belarus
10. Aaron Miles Kansas – Unknown
11. Cedric Bozeman UCLA – Last played in Belgium
12. James White Cincinnati – Last played in Italy
13. Daniel Ewing Duke – Last played in Ukraine
14. Chris Thomas Notre Dame – Unknown
15. Daniel Horton Michigan – Unknown
16. Lenny Cooke HS – Unknown
17. Anthony Roberson Florida – Italy
18. Bracey Wright Indiana – Spain
19. Evan Burns San Diego State – Unknown
20. Hassan Adams Arizona – Phillipines
21. DeAngelo Collins HS – China
22. Dee Brown Illinois – Unknown
23. Sean Dockery Duke – Canada
24. John Gilchrist Maryland – Australia
25. Ndudi Ebi HS – China
26. James Lang HS – Unknown
27. Drew Lavender Xavier – Unknown
28. Jackie Butler HS – Unknown
29. Gary Ervin Mississippi State – Ukraine
30. Mike Jones Maryland – Argentina
31. Dameon Mason Marquette – Denmark
32. Sean Banks Memphis – Italy
33. Guillermo Diaz Miami (FL) -Puerto Rico 
34. Joe Crawford Kentucky – Israel
35. Cedric Simmons NC State – Greece
36. Darius Washington Memphis – Turkey
37. Bryon Eaton Oklahoma State – Japan
38. DeMarcus Nelson Duke – Ukraine
39. Jason Rich Florida State – Belgium
40. J.P. Prince Tennessee – Unknown
41. Mike Mercer South Florida – Canada
42. Eric Devendorf Syracuse – Turkey
43. Davon Jefferson USC – Russia
44. Paul Harris Syracuse – D-League, Maine
45. Tweety Carter Baylor – Israel
46. Raymar Morgan Michigan State – Turkey 
47. Da’Sean Butler West Virginia – Unknown
48. Lance Thomas Duke – Unknown
49. DaJuan Summers G’Town – Italy
50. Wayne Chism Tennessee – Unknown

[sportsjunkyParticipant]

1. Marcus Taylor Michigan State – Unknown
2. Taliek Brown UConn – Last played in Canada
3. Omar Cook St. John’s – Last played in Italy over 2 years ago.
4. Alton Ford Houston – Unknown
5. Darius Rice Miami (FL) – Last played in Bahrain (Asia)
6. Andre Barrett Seton Hall – Last played in France
7. Kelvin Torbert Michigan State – Unknown
8. Julius Hodge NC State – Last played in China
9. Carlos Hurt Louisville – Last played in Belarus
10. Aaron Miles Kansas – Unknown
11. Cedric Bozeman UCLA – Last played in Belgium
12. James White Cincinnati – Last played in Italy
13. Daniel Ewing Duke – Last played in Ukraine
14. Chris Thomas Notre Dame – Unknown
15. Daniel Horton Michigan – Unknown
16. Lenny Cooke HS – Unknown
17. Anthony Roberson Florida – Italy
18. Bracey Wright Indiana – Spain
19. Evan Burns San Diego State – Unknown
20. Hassan Adams Arizona – Phillipines
21. DeAngelo Collins HS – China
22. Dee Brown Illinois – Unknown
23. Sean Dockery Duke – Canada
24. John Gilchrist Maryland – Australia
25. Ndudi Ebi HS – China
26. James Lang HS – Unknown
27. Drew Lavender Xavier – Unknown
28. Jackie Butler HS – Unknown
29. Gary Ervin Mississippi State – Ukraine
30. Mike Jones Maryland – Argentina
31. Dameon Mason Marquette – Denmark
32. Sean Banks Memphis – Italy
33. Guillermo Diaz Miami (FL) -Puerto Rico 
34. Joe Crawford Kentucky – Israel
35. Cedric Simmons NC State – Greece
36. Darius Washington Memphis – Turkey
37. Bryon Eaton Oklahoma State – Japan
38. DeMarcus Nelson Duke – Ukraine
39. Jason Rich Florida State – Belgium
40. J.P. Prince Tennessee – Unknown
41. Mike Mercer South Florida – Canada
42. Eric Devendorf Syracuse – Turkey
43. Davon Jefferson USC – Russia
44. Paul Harris Syracuse – D-League, Maine
45. Tweety Carter Baylor – Israel
46. Raymar Morgan Michigan State – Turkey 
47. Da’Sean Butler West Virginia – Unknown
48. Lance Thomas Duke – Unknown
49. DaJuan Summers G’Town – Italy
50. Wayne Chism Tennessee – Unknown

[sportsjunkyParticipant]

1. Marcus Taylor Michigan State – Unknown
2. Taliek Brown UConn – Last played in Canada
3. Omar Cook St. John’s – Last played in Italy over 2 years ago.
4. Alton Ford Houston – Unknown
5. Darius Rice Miami (FL) – Last played in Bahrain (Asia)
6. Andre Barrett Seton Hall – Last played in France
7. Kelvin Torbert Michigan State – Unknown
8. Julius Hodge NC State – Last played in China
9. Carlos Hurt Louisville – Last played in Belarus
10. Aaron Miles Kansas – Unknown
11. Cedric Bozeman UCLA – Last played in Belgium
12. James White Cincinnati – Last played in Italy
13. Daniel Ewing Duke – Last played in Ukraine
14. Chris Thomas Notre Dame – Unknown
15. Daniel Horton Michigan – Unknown
16. Lenny Cooke HS – Unknown
17. Anthony Roberson Florida – Italy
18. Bracey Wright Indiana – Spain
19. Evan Burns San Diego State – Unknown
20. Hassan Adams Arizona – Phillipines
21. DeAngelo Collins HS – China
22. Dee Brown Illinois – Unknown
23. Sean Dockery Duke – Canada
24. John Gilchrist Maryland – Australia
25. Ndudi Ebi HS – China
26. James Lang HS – Unknown
27. Drew Lavender Xavier – Unknown
28. Jackie Butler HS – Unknown
29. Gary Ervin Mississippi State – Ukraine
30. Mike Jones Maryland – Argentina
31. Dameon Mason Marquette – Denmark
32. Sean Banks Memphis – Italy
33. Guillermo Diaz Miami (FL) -Puerto Rico 
34. Joe Crawford Kentucky – Israel
35. Cedric Simmons NC State – Greece
36. Darius Washington Memphis – Turkey
37. Bryon Eaton Oklahoma State – Japan
38. DeMarcus Nelson Duke – Ukraine
39. Jason Rich Florida State – Belgium
40. J.P. Prince Tennessee – Unknown
41. Mike Mercer South Florida – Canada
42. Eric Devendorf Syracuse – Turkey
43. Davon Jefferson USC – Russia
44. Paul Harris Syracuse – D-League, Maine
45. Tweety Carter Baylor – Israel
46. Raymar Morgan Michigan State – Turkey 
47. Da’Sean Butler West Virginia – Unknown
48. Lance Thomas Duke – Unknown
49. DaJuan Summers G’Town – Italy
50. Wayne Chism Tennessee – Unknown

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Was playing in Spain, now is back to Italy again. He is also part of the Montenegran national team:

http://www.eurobasket.com/European-Championships/basketball.asp?NewsID=236146

Guys, know the best place to find info on things like this? It is called a "Search Engine". Some refer to it as "Google", but there are others. Eurobasket.com is a good way to find some players, but it will not help you unless you know what league they are in, usually. 

Here are some of the unknowns I will fill in for the hell of it:

Lance Thomas: Drafting by the Austin Toros, pretty sure he is still playing domestically and maybe will take the trip overseas

Wayne Chism: Was playing in Turkey, but was released. Played in the D-League last year.

Da’Sean Butler: Signed by the Spurs after being released by the Heat.

JP Prince: Turkey

Evan Burns: Apparently back coaching in LA

Chris Thomas: Just released from his contract in Poland.

Marcus Taylor: Played all over the place, mostly domestically, and now coaches in Michigan

Kelvin Torbert: Was playing in Belgium, supposedly playing Pro-Am in Lansing.

James White: Still in Italy.

Lenny Cooke: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/15421933/cookes-story-of-lost-potential-sad-but-not-tragic

Drew Lavender: Was last in Poland, think he is in Germany

Jackie Butler: http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/playerProfiles/profileDisplay.jsp?id=271

The last link I listed probably has information on most of those guys listed. Sham is much more willing to do this than even I am, and if you really want to know where so and so went, without doing work to do so, than I suggest giving ShamSports.com a view.

 

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Was playing in Spain, now is back to Italy again. He is also part of the Montenegran national team:

http://www.eurobasket.com/European-Championships/basketball.asp?NewsID=236146

Guys, know the best place to find info on things like this? It is called a "Search Engine". Some refer to it as "Google", but there are others. Eurobasket.com is a good way to find some players, but it will not help you unless you know what league they are in, usually. 

Here are some of the unknowns I will fill in for the hell of it:

Lance Thomas: Drafting by the Austin Toros, pretty sure he is still playing domestically and maybe will take the trip overseas

Wayne Chism: Was playing in Turkey, but was released. Played in the D-League last year.

Da’Sean Butler: Signed by the Spurs after being released by the Heat.

JP Prince: Turkey

Evan Burns: Apparently back coaching in LA

Chris Thomas: Just released from his contract in Poland.

Marcus Taylor: Played all over the place, mostly domestically, and now coaches in Michigan

Kelvin Torbert: Was playing in Belgium, supposedly playing Pro-Am in Lansing.

James White: Still in Italy.

Lenny Cooke: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/15421933/cookes-story-of-lost-potential-sad-but-not-tragic

Drew Lavender: Was last in Poland, think he is in Germany

Jackie Butler: http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/playerProfiles/profileDisplay.jsp?id=271

The last link I listed probably has information on most of those guys listed. Sham is much more willing to do this than even I am, and if you really want to know where so and so went, without doing work to do so, than I suggest giving ShamSports.com a view.

 

 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Was playing in Spain, now is back to Italy again. He is also part of the Montenegran national team:

http://www.eurobasket.com/European-Championships/basketball.asp?NewsID=236146

Guys, know the best place to find info on things like this? It is called a "Search Engine". Some refer to it as "Google", but there are others. Eurobasket.com is a good way to find some players, but it will not help you unless you know what league they are in, usually. 

Here are some of the unknowns I will fill in for the hell of it:

Lance Thomas: Drafting by the Austin Toros, pretty sure he is still playing domestically and maybe will take the trip overseas

Wayne Chism: Was playing in Turkey, but was released. Played in the D-League last year.

Da’Sean Butler: Signed by the Spurs after being released by the Heat.

JP Prince: Turkey

Evan Burns: Apparently back coaching in LA

Chris Thomas: Just released from his contract in Poland.

Marcus Taylor: Played all over the place, mostly domestically, and now coaches in Michigan

Kelvin Torbert: Was playing in Belgium, supposedly playing Pro-Am in Lansing.

James White: Still in Italy.

Lenny Cooke: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/15421933/cookes-story-of-lost-potential-sad-but-not-tragic

Drew Lavender: Was last in Poland, think he is in Germany

Jackie Butler: http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/playerProfiles/profileDisplay.jsp?id=271

The last link I listed probably has information on most of those guys listed. Sham is much more willing to do this than even I am, and if you really want to know where so and so went, without doing work to do so, than I suggest giving ShamSports.com a view.

 

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thanks

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thanks

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Thanks

[iguapops420Participant]

 Tyler Smith from Tennessee anyone?

Yannick Bokolo?

Or my ever favorite, Misan Nikagbatse? 

BTW, Guillerm had some CRAZY ups. I honestly thought that guy was going to end up in the L eventually as an athletic combo. Must have never developed his guard skills.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Tyler Smith from Tennessee anyone?

Yannick Bokolo?

Or my ever favorite, Misan Nikagbatse? 

BTW, Guillerm had some CRAZY ups. I honestly thought that guy was going to end up in the L eventually as an athletic combo. Must have never developed his guard skills.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Tyler Smith from Tennessee anyone?

Yannick Bokolo?

Or my ever favorite, Misan Nikagbatse? 

BTW, Guillerm had some CRAZY ups. I honestly thought that guy was going to end up in the L eventually as an athletic combo. Must have never developed his guard skills.

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Became a professional children’s book author

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Became a professional children’s book author

[ProudGrandpaParticipant]

Became a professional children’s book author

[Scottoant93Participant]

Misan Nikagbatse- i read somewhere he plays in italy for Pallacanestro Varese

Yannick Bokolo- plays in france for BCM Gravelines

Tyler Smith- last i heard he played in turkey

[Scottoant93Participant]

Misan Nikagbatse- i read somewhere he plays in italy for Pallacanestro Varese

Yannick Bokolo- plays in france for BCM Gravelines

Tyler Smith- last i heard he played in turkey

[Scottoant93Participant]

Misan Nikagbatse- i read somewhere he plays in italy for Pallacanestro Varese

Yannick Bokolo- plays in france for BCM Gravelines

Tyler Smith- last i heard he played in turkey

[McDunkin]

OrangeJuiceJones

Cyclo

TLI

Scarecrow

DNYCE

[McDunkin]

OrangeJuiceJones

Cyclo

TLI

Scarecrow

DNYCE

[McDunkin]

OrangeJuiceJones

Cyclo

TLI

Scarecrow

DNYCE

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/15421933/cookes-story-of-lost-potential-sad-but-not-tragic

When Lenny Cooke gingerly stepped onto the scale, the numbers read a startling ‘308.’ This from a once-chiseled, 220-pound physical specimen who had been considered the No. 1 player in the country a decade or so ago, one of those few can’t-miss prospects.

But Cooke has missed.

And he’s at peace with it.

The father of three is no longer bothered when he hears the whispers about how LeBron virtually ended his career with that game-winning 3-point dagger at ABCD Camp in Teaneck, N.J.

Now he just wants to help his 11-year-old son and other kids avoid the issues that plagued him coming out of New York tabbed as the ‘next big thing.’

Few recall that Cooke came directly off the court in a head-to-head battle with Carmelo Anthony prior to his matchup with LeBron.

And that’s fine with Cooke.

"LeBron had a better game than me," the 28-year-old Cooke said. "That’s when his career exploded."

Most weren’t aware that Cooke, growing up in New York, did have a support system that included his parents, but they weren’t basketball-savvy, so he was basically left to fend for himself while all the leaches tried to swoop in and prey on his naiveté.

"Every decision I made, I had to make on my own," Cooke said.

 

Cooke, playing in a summer league game in 2003, says he wouldn’t have signed with an agent at 18 if he could it all over. (Getty Images)

By his count, Cooke has played in four different leagues — the USBL, ABA, CBA and the NBDL — as well as four countries (China, Denmark, Philippines and Brazil) since he declared and went undrafted back in 2002.

"I’m not done playing," said Cooke, who currently resides with his fiancé and three children — ages 11, 9 and 1 — in Virginia.

At one time, there was Lenny, Amar’e and Carmelo.

In that order.

"I was playing off pure talent," Cooke said. "Nobody worked with me. I got my name from pure talent."

"It wasn’t that I didn’t work," he added. "I just wasn’t focused like the rest of those guys."

But that’s not easy in New York, either. It’s an environment that has eaten up more than its share of supposed ‘can’t-miss’ kids — guys like Lloyd Daniels, Felipe Lopez and Sebastian Telfair.

But Cooke’s physique, production and potential was plenty to put him among the stars of the future in the Class of 2002. Cooke struggled academically and bounced around a few high schools, which ultimately made him ineligible for the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.

The hope was to try and get his academics in order and play at St. John’s. Then Mike Jarvis was fired.

That’s when Cooke made the mistake of signing with an agent, a move that paid off in the form of brand-new Mercedes at the age of 18, but also removed college basketball from the equation.

"I don’t have any regrets, but I would have gone to college if I could have done it over again," Cooke admitted.

Every NBA franchise passed on Cooke, some on multiple occasions, in June of 2002. I went to see him play in Brooklyn in the USBL and he had displayed the same dominance and swagger he did on the AAU circuit. Then came a stop in the CBA and the NBDL before he went out west to play for the Long Beach Jam of the ABA.

He averaged 16.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in five games and said he was informed a 10-day NBA call-up was coming shortly after the New Year.

Then came the car crash in December of 2004.

"I still don’t remember anything," Cooke said of the accident that put him in a coma for seven days. "I came out and they wanted to amputate my leg."

Cooke wasn’t driving. His teammate, Nick Sheppard, lost control of the wheel and his passenger wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Cooke broke his left shin and femur and still has a metal rod from his hip down to his ankle as a result of the wreck.

"The doctors told me I was never going to walk again," Cooke said. "That I would never play basketball again."

Cooke spent the next year-plus in a wheelchair, fallen out of love with the game that had put him on the map just a few years earlier.

His weight ballooned, but eventually he fought his way back and made his return to the court. However, then came a pair of torn Achilles — one with the CBA and one in the Philippines.

Cooke now resides in Virginia, spending time with his family, speaking to kids — including his 11-year-old son, Anahijae — on the lessons he learned and also awaiting the release of a documentary that has been following his life since he burst onto the scene more than a decade ago.

"I want people to know that I’ve matured," Cooke said. "If you’ve got talent, I tell kids to use it to get a free education.

"Anything can happen," he added. "Just like it did for me. You need something to fall back on."

Cooke is hoping to start a non-profit foundation to help kids learn from his mistakes. He still stays in touch with Amar’e and Carmelo, saying he just took a different path from their days a decade or so ago when they’d go at it on the court.

"It is what it is," Cooke said. "I had my fun. My time. My limelight."

"I’d love to be in the NBA, but I’m not complaining," he added. "I’m not on the street selling drugs. Everything’s worked out. I’ve got my family, I’m trying to get back in shape and hopefully I can get back on the court."

"But if not," Cooke continued. "I’m OK with it."

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/15421933/cookes-story-of-lost-potential-sad-but-not-tragic

When Lenny Cooke gingerly stepped onto the scale, the numbers read a startling ‘308.’ This from a once-chiseled, 220-pound physical specimen who had been considered the No. 1 player in the country a decade or so ago, one of those few can’t-miss prospects.

But Cooke has missed.

And he’s at peace with it.

The father of three is no longer bothered when he hears the whispers about how LeBron virtually ended his career with that game-winning 3-point dagger at ABCD Camp in Teaneck, N.J.

Now he just wants to help his 11-year-old son and other kids avoid the issues that plagued him coming out of New York tabbed as the ‘next big thing.’

Few recall that Cooke came directly off the court in a head-to-head battle with Carmelo Anthony prior to his matchup with LeBron.

And that’s fine with Cooke.

"LeBron had a better game than me," the 28-year-old Cooke said. "That’s when his career exploded."

Most weren’t aware that Cooke, growing up in New York, did have a support system that included his parents, but they weren’t basketball-savvy, so he was basically left to fend for himself while all the leaches tried to swoop in and prey on his naiveté.

"Every decision I made, I had to make on my own," Cooke said.

 

Cooke, playing in a summer league game in 2003, says he wouldn’t have signed with an agent at 18 if he could it all over. (Getty Images)

By his count, Cooke has played in four different leagues — the USBL, ABA, CBA and the NBDL — as well as four countries (China, Denmark, Philippines and Brazil) since he declared and went undrafted back in 2002.

"I’m not done playing," said Cooke, who currently resides with his fiancé and three children — ages 11, 9 and 1 — in Virginia.

At one time, there was Lenny, Amar’e and Carmelo.

In that order.

"I was playing off pure talent," Cooke said. "Nobody worked with me. I got my name from pure talent."

"It wasn’t that I didn’t work," he added. "I just wasn’t focused like the rest of those guys."

But that’s not easy in New York, either. It’s an environment that has eaten up more than its share of supposed ‘can’t-miss’ kids — guys like Lloyd Daniels, Felipe Lopez and Sebastian Telfair.

But Cooke’s physique, production and potential was plenty to put him among the stars of the future in the Class of 2002. Cooke struggled academically and bounced around a few high schools, which ultimately made him ineligible for the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.

The hope was to try and get his academics in order and play at St. John’s. Then Mike Jarvis was fired.

That’s when Cooke made the mistake of signing with an agent, a move that paid off in the form of brand-new Mercedes at the age of 18, but also removed college basketball from the equation.

"I don’t have any regrets, but I would have gone to college if I could have done it over again," Cooke admitted.

Every NBA franchise passed on Cooke, some on multiple occasions, in June of 2002. I went to see him play in Brooklyn in the USBL and he had displayed the same dominance and swagger he did on the AAU circuit. Then came a stop in the CBA and the NBDL before he went out west to play for the Long Beach Jam of the ABA.

He averaged 16.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in five games and said he was informed a 10-day NBA call-up was coming shortly after the New Year.

Then came the car crash in December of 2004.

"I still don’t remember anything," Cooke said of the accident that put him in a coma for seven days. "I came out and they wanted to amputate my leg."

Cooke wasn’t driving. His teammate, Nick Sheppard, lost control of the wheel and his passenger wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Cooke broke his left shin and femur and still has a metal rod from his hip down to his ankle as a result of the wreck.

"The doctors told me I was never going to walk again," Cooke said. "That I would never play basketball again."

Cooke spent the next year-plus in a wheelchair, fallen out of love with the game that had put him on the map just a few years earlier.

His weight ballooned, but eventually he fought his way back and made his return to the court. However, then came a pair of torn Achilles — one with the CBA and one in the Philippines.

Cooke now resides in Virginia, spending time with his family, speaking to kids — including his 11-year-old son, Anahijae — on the lessons he learned and also awaiting the release of a documentary that has been following his life since he burst onto the scene more than a decade ago.

"I want people to know that I’ve matured," Cooke said. "If you’ve got talent, I tell kids to use it to get a free education.

"Anything can happen," he added. "Just like it did for me. You need something to fall back on."

Cooke is hoping to start a non-profit foundation to help kids learn from his mistakes. He still stays in touch with Amar’e and Carmelo, saying he just took a different path from their days a decade or so ago when they’d go at it on the court.

"It is what it is," Cooke said. "I had my fun. My time. My limelight."

"I’d love to be in the NBA, but I’m not complaining," he added. "I’m not on the street selling drugs. Everything’s worked out. I’ve got my family, I’m trying to get back in shape and hopefully I can get back on the court."

"But if not," Cooke continued. "I’m OK with it."

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/15421933/cookes-story-of-lost-potential-sad-but-not-tragic

When Lenny Cooke gingerly stepped onto the scale, the numbers read a startling ‘308.’ This from a once-chiseled, 220-pound physical specimen who had been considered the No. 1 player in the country a decade or so ago, one of those few can’t-miss prospects.

But Cooke has missed.

And he’s at peace with it.

The father of three is no longer bothered when he hears the whispers about how LeBron virtually ended his career with that game-winning 3-point dagger at ABCD Camp in Teaneck, N.J.

Now he just wants to help his 11-year-old son and other kids avoid the issues that plagued him coming out of New York tabbed as the ‘next big thing.’

Few recall that Cooke came directly off the court in a head-to-head battle with Carmelo Anthony prior to his matchup with LeBron.

And that’s fine with Cooke.

"LeBron had a better game than me," the 28-year-old Cooke said. "That’s when his career exploded."

Most weren’t aware that Cooke, growing up in New York, did have a support system that included his parents, but they weren’t basketball-savvy, so he was basically left to fend for himself while all the leaches tried to swoop in and prey on his naiveté.

"Every decision I made, I had to make on my own," Cooke said.

 

Cooke, playing in a summer league game in 2003, says he wouldn’t have signed with an agent at 18 if he could it all over. (Getty Images)

By his count, Cooke has played in four different leagues — the USBL, ABA, CBA and the NBDL — as well as four countries (China, Denmark, Philippines and Brazil) since he declared and went undrafted back in 2002.

"I’m not done playing," said Cooke, who currently resides with his fiancé and three children — ages 11, 9 and 1 — in Virginia.

At one time, there was Lenny, Amar’e and Carmelo.

In that order.

"I was playing off pure talent," Cooke said. "Nobody worked with me. I got my name from pure talent."

"It wasn’t that I didn’t work," he added. "I just wasn’t focused like the rest of those guys."

But that’s not easy in New York, either. It’s an environment that has eaten up more than its share of supposed ‘can’t-miss’ kids — guys like Lloyd Daniels, Felipe Lopez and Sebastian Telfair.

But Cooke’s physique, production and potential was plenty to put him among the stars of the future in the Class of 2002. Cooke struggled academically and bounced around a few high schools, which ultimately made him ineligible for the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.

The hope was to try and get his academics in order and play at St. John’s. Then Mike Jarvis was fired.

That’s when Cooke made the mistake of signing with an agent, a move that paid off in the form of brand-new Mercedes at the age of 18, but also removed college basketball from the equation.

"I don’t have any regrets, but I would have gone to college if I could have done it over again," Cooke admitted.

Every NBA franchise passed on Cooke, some on multiple occasions, in June of 2002. I went to see him play in Brooklyn in the USBL and he had displayed the same dominance and swagger he did on the AAU circuit. Then came a stop in the CBA and the NBDL before he went out west to play for the Long Beach Jam of the ABA.

He averaged 16.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in five games and said he was informed a 10-day NBA call-up was coming shortly after the New Year.

Then came the car crash in December of 2004.

"I still don’t remember anything," Cooke said of the accident that put him in a coma for seven days. "I came out and they wanted to amputate my leg."

Cooke wasn’t driving. His teammate, Nick Sheppard, lost control of the wheel and his passenger wasn’t wearing a seat belt. Cooke broke his left shin and femur and still has a metal rod from his hip down to his ankle as a result of the wreck.

"The doctors told me I was never going to walk again," Cooke said. "That I would never play basketball again."

Cooke spent the next year-plus in a wheelchair, fallen out of love with the game that had put him on the map just a few years earlier.

His weight ballooned, but eventually he fought his way back and made his return to the court. However, then came a pair of torn Achilles — one with the CBA and one in the Philippines.

Cooke now resides in Virginia, spending time with his family, speaking to kids — including his 11-year-old son, Anahijae — on the lessons he learned and also awaiting the release of a documentary that has been following his life since he burst onto the scene more than a decade ago.

"I want people to know that I’ve matured," Cooke said. "If you’ve got talent, I tell kids to use it to get a free education.

"Anything can happen," he added. "Just like it did for me. You need something to fall back on."

Cooke is hoping to start a non-profit foundation to help kids learn from his mistakes. He still stays in touch with Amar’e and Carmelo, saying he just took a different path from their days a decade or so ago when they’d go at it on the court.

"It is what it is," Cooke said. "I had my fun. My time. My limelight."

"I’d love to be in the NBA, but I’m not complaining," he added. "I’m not on the street selling drugs. Everything’s worked out. I’ve got my family, I’m trying to get back in shape and hopefully I can get back on the court."

"But if not," Cooke continued. "I’m OK with it."

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Only five of the 24 McDonald’s All-Americans from a decade ago spent time in the NBA this past season. I spoke to each of the other 19 players to find out where they have been — and where they are now.

More on the 2002 McDonald’s All-Americans: Class of 2002 a cautionary tale for today’s All-Americans

    1. Amar’e Stoudemire, 6-10, 240, PF
High school: Too many to list | College: None (committed to Memphis, but went straight to the NBA)
Drafted: 2002 (9th overall by Phoenix) | Career NBA games: 594 | Last season: New York
The consensus top-ranked player in the nation in the Class of 2002 and has lived up to the hype, as a Rookie of the Year honors and a six-time NBA All-Star. He spent the first eight seasons of his career in Phoenix before signing with the New York Knicks as a free agent in 2010. Career averages of 21.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the NBA.

    2. Carmelo Anthony, 6-8, 230, F
High school: Towson Catholic (Md.) | College: Syracuse
Drafted: 2003 (3rd overall by Denver) | Career NBA games: 591 | Last season: New York
‘Melo won a national title in his lone college season at Syracuse and is a four-time NBA All-Star. He spent his first seven seasons in Denver before being dealt to New York this past February. Anthony has averaged more than 20 points per game each season since entering the league and has career numbers of 24.8 points and 6.3 boards a game.

    3. Raymond Felton, 6-1, 205, PG
High school: Latta High (S.C.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (5th by Charlotte) | Career NBA games: 474 | Last season: New York and Denver
Felton spent three years in Chapel Hill and helped the Tar Heels win the national title in 2005. He was in Charlotte for the first five years of his NBA career before signing with New York in 2010 and then being dealt to Denver in a three-way deal. Felton’s career NBA averages are 13.7 points and 6.7 assists.

    4. Rashad McCants, 6-4, 200, SG
High school: Erwin (Asheville, N.C.); New Hampton Prep (N.H.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (14th by Minnesota) | Career NBA games: 249 | Last season: NBDL (Texas Legends)
Blessed with enough talent to be an NBA All-Star, McCants can’t manage to get back into the league. He spent his first four seasons in Minnesota and averaged 14.9 points in 2007-08, but was traded to Sacramento in February of 2009 and spent only 24 games with the Kings. He hasn’t played in the NBA since and spent 10 games a year ago with the Texas Legends in the NBDL. McCants told me he’ll likely sign in Europe while also trying to get his independent entertainment company — called YBG Entertainment Group — off the ground.

    5. Chris Bosh, 6-11, 235, PF
High school: Lincoln High (Texas) | College: Georgia Tech
Drafted: 2003 (4th by Toronto) | Career NBA games: 586 | Last season: Miami
Bosh spent one year in college before going to the NBA, where he was stuck in anonymity in Toronto for the first seven years before signing with Miami prior to this past season. Bosh is a five-time All-Star who is averaging 20 points and 9.2 rebounds for his career.

    6. Jason Fraser, 6-9, 225, PF
High school: Amityville (N.Y.) | College: Villanova
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
I’ll admit it. Fraser is my favorite kid in the entire class. Has a huge personality and is extremely bright. Fraser was once regarded as a can’t-miss kid, a big-time defensive player and shot-blocker who was a terrific outlet passer. However, injuries derailed his career and he was never the same player as on the summer circuit and in high school. Fraser went into insurance after his injury-riddled four-year Villanova career (he had seven surgeries), then played a year in New Zealand, with the Globetrotters and also for the New York Wizards of the EBA. He is currently working as an admissions representative for a college in New York, is married and has a 5-year-old daughter.

    7. Paul Davis, 6-11, 270, C
High school: Rochester High (Mich.) | College: Michigan State
Drafted: 2006 (34th by Los Angeles Clippers) | Career NBA games: 82 | Last season: Spain
Davis had a nice, productive four-year career at Michigan State (he averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior) and was drafted in the second round in 2006. He played sparingly for the Clippers in his first three seasons before catching on with the Washington Wizards for the first half of the 2009-10 campaign. He spent a couple months with the Maine Red Claws in the NBDL before finishing the season in Spain. Davis returned to Spain last season and spent the entire year there. Davis also made an appearance on the Millionaire Matchmaker a few years back.

    8. Sean May, 6-9, 265, PF
High school: Bloomington North (Ind.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (13th by Charlotte) | Career NBA games: 119 | Last season: Turkey
May has had a rough go with his health since he was drafted. He was on the same UNC team with Felton and McCants that won the national title in 2005 and then spent four years in Charlotte, but missed all of 2007-08 because of knee surgery. May spent 2009 in Sacramento and then signed with New Jersey prior to last season, but broke his foot and was forced to play in Turkey after getting healthy. May, who is married, said he is down to 260 pounds, is healthy and is hoping to get back to the NBA.

    9. DeAngelo Collins, 6-10, 230, PF
High school: Inglewood (Calif.) | College: None
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: China
Collins was an enigma coming out of high school in California. Blessed with size and talent, he opted to try and go to the NBA and wasn’t drafted. He said it was largely because of an ESPN Outside the Lines report a couple days prior to the draft that focused on an off-court fight. Collins has played in Turkey, Philippines, Argentina, Italy, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the NBDL, the ABA and most recently, China, where he is putting up huge numbers (24.1 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 4.8 apg, 4.4 bpg). Collins is married with a 3-year-old son.

    10. J.J. Redick, 6-4, 190, SG
High school: Cave Spring (Va.) | College: Duke
Drafted: 2006 (11th by Orlando) | Career NBA games: 281 | Last season: Orlando
Redick left Duke as the school’s all-time leading scorer and has been a solid player in the NBA over the past five seasons, averaging a career-high 10.1 points per game this past season with the Magic. Redick was married about a year ago.

    11. Bracey Wright, 6-3, 210, SG
High school: The Colony (Texas) | College: Indiana
Drafted: 2005 (47th overall by Minnesota) | Career NBA games: 26 | Last season: France, Croatia
Wright was, at one time, considered the best prospect on a high school team that also featured Deron Williams. Wright scored nearly 1,500 points in three seasons at Indiana before deciding to leave a year early. He was taken in the second round by Minnesota, played 26 total games over two seasons before bouncing around Europe. Wright spent 2007-08 in Greece, the next season split between Spain and Greece, then headed to Belgium and was in both France and Croatia last season. Wright, who is married with a 1-year-old son, just inked a two-year deal to play in Spain.

    12. Evan Burns, 6-7, 220, SF
High school: Fairfax (Calif.) | College: San Diego State
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Burns played on the same high school team with Craig Smith and initially signed with UCLA. However, he was academically ineligible and wound up playing at San Diego State for only one season, averaging 9.2 points per game, before being tossed off the team because of academics. Burns was extremely talented, but knee issues hindered his ability to play anywhere. Burns did have a brief stint in the NBDL with Sioux Falls in 2008, but suffered another knee injury and hasn’t played since. Burns is single and working as a production assistant in Los Angeles.

    13. Shavlik Randolph, 6-10, 240, PF
High school: Broughton (N.C.) | College: Duke
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 95 | Last season: Puerto Rico
Randolph was the subject of a Tobacco Road war between Duke, UNC and N.C. State in high school and was, at one time, ranked No. 1 in the entire class. Randolph averaged 6.3 points per game in three seasons at Duke before declaring for the NBA after his junior season. He wasn’t drafted, but caught on with Philadelphia and signed a multi-year deal with the 76ers. However, a dislocated ankle forced him to miss the entire 2006 campaign. He then played in Portland for a year and was set to play in Miami last season, but wound up having hip surgery and going to Puerto Rico in April after getting healthy.

    14. Daniel Horton, 6-3, 205, G
High school: Cedar Hill (Texas) | College: Michigan
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Horton played in Turkey his first season after leaving Michigan, then spent the last month in the D-League. His second pro season was split between France and the D-League and then a shoulder injury forced him to miss the entire next year. He then returned to France, where he suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss three months. Two years ago, Horton — who is married and has two children — had a short stint in the NBDL.

    15. Anthony Roberson, 6-2, 180, G
High school: Saginaw (Mich.) | College: Florida
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 65 | Last season: Italy
Roberson spent three seasons in Gainesville for Billy Donovan before deciding to leave school. He went undrafted, but signed with the Memphis Grizzlies and played 16 games as a rookie. Then he spent the following season in Golden State before going overseas for a year to Israel and Turkey. It was back to the NBA in 2008, signing with the Bulls and going to New York as part of a deal. Roberson has found success the past two seasons in France and Italy.

    16. Dee Brown, 6-0, 185, G
High school: Proviso East (Ill.) | College: Illinois
Drafted: 2006 (46th by Utah) | Career NBA games: 68 | Last season: China, Puerto Rico
Brown was drafted in the second round by Utah and played 49 games as a rookie. Then it was off to Turkey for a year before spending 2008-09 at three stops: Washington, Phoenix and Israel, where he won a title with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Brown, who is engaged and has three children, played in Italy two years ago, was in China and then Puerto Rico this past season and will return to Italy and play for a team in Rome next season.

    17. Hassan Adams, 6-4, 220, SF
High school: Westchester (Calif.) | College: Arizona
Drafted: 2006 (54th by New Jersey) | Career NBA games: 73 | Last season: Philippines
The ultra-athletic, undersized Adams spent four years in Tucson and wound up averaging 14.0 points and 5.4 rebounds for his career. He was taken in the second round by New Jersey, played 61 games as a rookie before going to Italy his second professional season. Adams signed with Toronto in 2008, played in a dozen games before being dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers. Adams, who is single, played in Serbia in 2009-10, in the Philippines last season and still hasn’t made a decision where he’ll play this year.

    18. Sean Dockery, 6-2, 185, PG
High school: Julian (Ill.) | College: Duke
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
After a four-year career in Durham, Dockery went overseas and spent time in Poland, Germany, France and Romania for the next three years. Most recently, he’s worked for a company that produces parties in Chicago. Dockery, who has a 2-year-old son, said he recently accepted a position to return to Duke that will deal with both community relations and basketball.

    19. Brad Buckman, 6-9, 245, PF
High school: Austin Westlake (Texas) | College: Texas
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Germany, Croatia, Turkey
Buckman played four years at Texas, averaging 8.5 points and 6.3 boards in his career before going undrafted and heading to Greece — where he got into some trouble. Buckman was taking medication for ADD, failed a drug test and was banned from Greece for two years and also from playing anywhere in Europe for one season. After a brief stint in the NBDL, he went to Romania, then to Cypress, Israel and Turkey over the next four years. This past season Buckman started in Germany, went to Croatia and finished in Turkey.

    20. Elijah Ingram, 6-0, 175, PG
High school: St. Anthony (N.J.) | College: St. John’s, New Mexico State
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Brazil
Ingram played a year and a half at St. John’s, averaging 11.5 points and 2.5 assists, before withdrawing from school and transferring to New Mexico State — where he averaged 11.9 points and 2.8 assists while finishing his college career. Ingram spent a year in the NBDL with the Albuquerque team before heading to Turkey. After a year sitting home because of injury, Ingram — who has a 6-year-old son — played in Brazil last season and is set to play in Finland next year.

    21. Travis Garrison, 6-8, 240, PF
High school: DeMatha (Md.) | College: Maryland
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Ukraine
Garrison spent four seasons at Maryland — with his best year coming as a junior when he averaged 10.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. Garrison has bounced around as a professional, starting out in the NBDL and also spending time over the past four years in South Korea, Spain, Venezuela, Turkey and the Ukraine. Garrison is married and has a son who will turn 2 in September.

    22. Michael Thompson, 6-10, 250, C
High school: Providence Catholic (Ill.) | College: Duke, Northwestern
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Thompson barely played in his 1½ years at Duke before transferring back closer to home to finish out his college career at Northwestern. Thompson went into the financial industry out of high school and has been extremely successful in that arena. He recently joined the firm of Jackson Wabash.

    23. Eric Williams, 6-9, 280, C
High school: Wake Forest-Rolesville High (N.C.) | College: Wake Forest
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Italy
Williams spent four years at Wake and averaged 13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds over his career before going undrafted. Since then, he has played in Italy and earned about $300,000 per season. He has not made a decision where he’ll sign next season, but said he’d prefer a change of scenery — and the opportunity to experience a different culture. Williams is married with a 2-year-old son.

    24. Torin Francis, 6-11, 260, PF
High school: Tabor Academy (Mass.) | College: Notre Dame
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Turkey-Greece-Venezuela
Francis admits he should have left college after his freshman season, when he averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Instead, he remained at Notre Dame for four years, battled back injuries and has bounced around overseas since he left South Bend. Francis spent his first two seasons in Italy, has also been in Greece, Turkey and Israel. He is married with two children and recently signed a contract to play in Germany next season.

 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Only five of the 24 McDonald’s All-Americans from a decade ago spent time in the NBA this past season. I spoke to each of the other 19 players to find out where they have been — and where they are now.

More on the 2002 McDonald’s All-Americans: Class of 2002 a cautionary tale for today’s All-Americans

    1. Amar’e Stoudemire, 6-10, 240, PF
High school: Too many to list | College: None (committed to Memphis, but went straight to the NBA)
Drafted: 2002 (9th overall by Phoenix) | Career NBA games: 594 | Last season: New York
The consensus top-ranked player in the nation in the Class of 2002 and has lived up to the hype, as a Rookie of the Year honors and a six-time NBA All-Star. He spent the first eight seasons of his career in Phoenix before signing with the New York Knicks as a free agent in 2010. Career averages of 21.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the NBA.

    2. Carmelo Anthony, 6-8, 230, F
High school: Towson Catholic (Md.) | College: Syracuse
Drafted: 2003 (3rd overall by Denver) | Career NBA games: 591 | Last season: New York
‘Melo won a national title in his lone college season at Syracuse and is a four-time NBA All-Star. He spent his first seven seasons in Denver before being dealt to New York this past February. Anthony has averaged more than 20 points per game each season since entering the league and has career numbers of 24.8 points and 6.3 boards a game.

    3. Raymond Felton, 6-1, 205, PG
High school: Latta High (S.C.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (5th by Charlotte) | Career NBA games: 474 | Last season: New York and Denver
Felton spent three years in Chapel Hill and helped the Tar Heels win the national title in 2005. He was in Charlotte for the first five years of his NBA career before signing with New York in 2010 and then being dealt to Denver in a three-way deal. Felton’s career NBA averages are 13.7 points and 6.7 assists.

    4. Rashad McCants, 6-4, 200, SG
High school: Erwin (Asheville, N.C.); New Hampton Prep (N.H.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (14th by Minnesota) | Career NBA games: 249 | Last season: NBDL (Texas Legends)
Blessed with enough talent to be an NBA All-Star, McCants can’t manage to get back into the league. He spent his first four seasons in Minnesota and averaged 14.9 points in 2007-08, but was traded to Sacramento in February of 2009 and spent only 24 games with the Kings. He hasn’t played in the NBA since and spent 10 games a year ago with the Texas Legends in the NBDL. McCants told me he’ll likely sign in Europe while also trying to get his independent entertainment company — called YBG Entertainment Group — off the ground.

    5. Chris Bosh, 6-11, 235, PF
High school: Lincoln High (Texas) | College: Georgia Tech
Drafted: 2003 (4th by Toronto) | Career NBA games: 586 | Last season: Miami
Bosh spent one year in college before going to the NBA, where he was stuck in anonymity in Toronto for the first seven years before signing with Miami prior to this past season. Bosh is a five-time All-Star who is averaging 20 points and 9.2 rebounds for his career.

    6. Jason Fraser, 6-9, 225, PF
High school: Amityville (N.Y.) | College: Villanova
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
I’ll admit it. Fraser is my favorite kid in the entire class. Has a huge personality and is extremely bright. Fraser was once regarded as a can’t-miss kid, a big-time defensive player and shot-blocker who was a terrific outlet passer. However, injuries derailed his career and he was never the same player as on the summer circuit and in high school. Fraser went into insurance after his injury-riddled four-year Villanova career (he had seven surgeries), then played a year in New Zealand, with the Globetrotters and also for the New York Wizards of the EBA. He is currently working as an admissions representative for a college in New York, is married and has a 5-year-old daughter.

    7. Paul Davis, 6-11, 270, C
High school: Rochester High (Mich.) | College: Michigan State
Drafted: 2006 (34th by Los Angeles Clippers) | Career NBA games: 82 | Last season: Spain
Davis had a nice, productive four-year career at Michigan State (he averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior) and was drafted in the second round in 2006. He played sparingly for the Clippers in his first three seasons before catching on with the Washington Wizards for the first half of the 2009-10 campaign. He spent a couple months with the Maine Red Claws in the NBDL before finishing the season in Spain. Davis returned to Spain last season and spent the entire year there. Davis also made an appearance on the Millionaire Matchmaker a few years back.

    8. Sean May, 6-9, 265, PF
High school: Bloomington North (Ind.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (13th by Charlotte) | Career NBA games: 119 | Last season: Turkey
May has had a rough go with his health since he was drafted. He was on the same UNC team with Felton and McCants that won the national title in 2005 and then spent four years in Charlotte, but missed all of 2007-08 because of knee surgery. May spent 2009 in Sacramento and then signed with New Jersey prior to last season, but broke his foot and was forced to play in Turkey after getting healthy. May, who is married, said he is down to 260 pounds, is healthy and is hoping to get back to the NBA.

    9. DeAngelo Collins, 6-10, 230, PF
High school: Inglewood (Calif.) | College: None
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: China
Collins was an enigma coming out of high school in California. Blessed with size and talent, he opted to try and go to the NBA and wasn’t drafted. He said it was largely because of an ESPN Outside the Lines report a couple days prior to the draft that focused on an off-court fight. Collins has played in Turkey, Philippines, Argentina, Italy, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the NBDL, the ABA and most recently, China, where he is putting up huge numbers (24.1 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 4.8 apg, 4.4 bpg). Collins is married with a 3-year-old son.

    10. J.J. Redick, 6-4, 190, SG
High school: Cave Spring (Va.) | College: Duke
Drafted: 2006 (11th by Orlando) | Career NBA games: 281 | Last season: Orlando
Redick left Duke as the school’s all-time leading scorer and has been a solid player in the NBA over the past five seasons, averaging a career-high 10.1 points per game this past season with the Magic. Redick was married about a year ago.

    11. Bracey Wright, 6-3, 210, SG
High school: The Colony (Texas) | College: Indiana
Drafted: 2005 (47th overall by Minnesota) | Career NBA games: 26 | Last season: France, Croatia
Wright was, at one time, considered the best prospect on a high school team that also featured Deron Williams. Wright scored nearly 1,500 points in three seasons at Indiana before deciding to leave a year early. He was taken in the second round by Minnesota, played 26 total games over two seasons before bouncing around Europe. Wright spent 2007-08 in Greece, the next season split between Spain and Greece, then headed to Belgium and was in both France and Croatia last season. Wright, who is married with a 1-year-old son, just inked a two-year deal to play in Spain.

    12. Evan Burns, 6-7, 220, SF
High school: Fairfax (Calif.) | College: San Diego State
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Burns played on the same high school team with Craig Smith and initially signed with UCLA. However, he was academically ineligible and wound up playing at San Diego State for only one season, averaging 9.2 points per game, before being tossed off the team because of academics. Burns was extremely talented, but knee issues hindered his ability to play anywhere. Burns did have a brief stint in the NBDL with Sioux Falls in 2008, but suffered another knee injury and hasn’t played since. Burns is single and working as a production assistant in Los Angeles.

    13. Shavlik Randolph, 6-10, 240, PF
High school: Broughton (N.C.) | College: Duke
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 95 | Last season: Puerto Rico
Randolph was the subject of a Tobacco Road war between Duke, UNC and N.C. State in high school and was, at one time, ranked No. 1 in the entire class. Randolph averaged 6.3 points per game in three seasons at Duke before declaring for the NBA after his junior season. He wasn’t drafted, but caught on with Philadelphia and signed a multi-year deal with the 76ers. However, a dislocated ankle forced him to miss the entire 2006 campaign. He then played in Portland for a year and was set to play in Miami last season, but wound up having hip surgery and going to Puerto Rico in April after getting healthy.

    14. Daniel Horton, 6-3, 205, G
High school: Cedar Hill (Texas) | College: Michigan
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Horton played in Turkey his first season after leaving Michigan, then spent the last month in the D-League. His second pro season was split between France and the D-League and then a shoulder injury forced him to miss the entire next year. He then returned to France, where he suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss three months. Two years ago, Horton — who is married and has two children — had a short stint in the NBDL.

    15. Anthony Roberson, 6-2, 180, G
High school: Saginaw (Mich.) | College: Florida
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 65 | Last season: Italy
Roberson spent three seasons in Gainesville for Billy Donovan before deciding to leave school. He went undrafted, but signed with the Memphis Grizzlies and played 16 games as a rookie. Then he spent the following season in Golden State before going overseas for a year to Israel and Turkey. It was back to the NBA in 2008, signing with the Bulls and going to New York as part of a deal. Roberson has found success the past two seasons in France and Italy.

    16. Dee Brown, 6-0, 185, G
High school: Proviso East (Ill.) | College: Illinois
Drafted: 2006 (46th by Utah) | Career NBA games: 68 | Last season: China, Puerto Rico
Brown was drafted in the second round by Utah and played 49 games as a rookie. Then it was off to Turkey for a year before spending 2008-09 at three stops: Washington, Phoenix and Israel, where he won a title with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Brown, who is engaged and has three children, played in Italy two years ago, was in China and then Puerto Rico this past season and will return to Italy and play for a team in Rome next season.

    17. Hassan Adams, 6-4, 220, SF
High school: Westchester (Calif.) | College: Arizona
Drafted: 2006 (54th by New Jersey) | Career NBA games: 73 | Last season: Philippines
The ultra-athletic, undersized Adams spent four years in Tucson and wound up averaging 14.0 points and 5.4 rebounds for his career. He was taken in the second round by New Jersey, played 61 games as a rookie before going to Italy his second professional season. Adams signed with Toronto in 2008, played in a dozen games before being dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers. Adams, who is single, played in Serbia in 2009-10, in the Philippines last season and still hasn’t made a decision where he’ll play this year.

    18. Sean Dockery, 6-2, 185, PG
High school: Julian (Ill.) | College: Duke
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
After a four-year career in Durham, Dockery went overseas and spent time in Poland, Germany, France and Romania for the next three years. Most recently, he’s worked for a company that produces parties in Chicago. Dockery, who has a 2-year-old son, said he recently accepted a position to return to Duke that will deal with both community relations and basketball.

    19. Brad Buckman, 6-9, 245, PF
High school: Austin Westlake (Texas) | College: Texas
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Germany, Croatia, Turkey
Buckman played four years at Texas, averaging 8.5 points and 6.3 boards in his career before going undrafted and heading to Greece — where he got into some trouble. Buckman was taking medication for ADD, failed a drug test and was banned from Greece for two years and also from playing anywhere in Europe for one season. After a brief stint in the NBDL, he went to Romania, then to Cypress, Israel and Turkey over the next four years. This past season Buckman started in Germany, went to Croatia and finished in Turkey.

    20. Elijah Ingram, 6-0, 175, PG
High school: St. Anthony (N.J.) | College: St. John’s, New Mexico State
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Brazil
Ingram played a year and a half at St. John’s, averaging 11.5 points and 2.5 assists, before withdrawing from school and transferring to New Mexico State — where he averaged 11.9 points and 2.8 assists while finishing his college career. Ingram spent a year in the NBDL with the Albuquerque team before heading to Turkey. After a year sitting home because of injury, Ingram — who has a 6-year-old son — played in Brazil last season and is set to play in Finland next year.

    21. Travis Garrison, 6-8, 240, PF
High school: DeMatha (Md.) | College: Maryland
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Ukraine
Garrison spent four seasons at Maryland — with his best year coming as a junior when he averaged 10.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. Garrison has bounced around as a professional, starting out in the NBDL and also spending time over the past four years in South Korea, Spain, Venezuela, Turkey and the Ukraine. Garrison is married and has a son who will turn 2 in September.

    22. Michael Thompson, 6-10, 250, C
High school: Providence Catholic (Ill.) | College: Duke, Northwestern
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Thompson barely played in his 1½ years at Duke before transferring back closer to home to finish out his college career at Northwestern. Thompson went into the financial industry out of high school and has been extremely successful in that arena. He recently joined the firm of Jackson Wabash.

    23. Eric Williams, 6-9, 280, C
High school: Wake Forest-Rolesville High (N.C.) | College: Wake Forest
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Italy
Williams spent four years at Wake and averaged 13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds over his career before going undrafted. Since then, he has played in Italy and earned about $300,000 per season. He has not made a decision where he’ll sign next season, but said he’d prefer a change of scenery — and the opportunity to experience a different culture. Williams is married with a 2-year-old son.

    24. Torin Francis, 6-11, 260, PF
High school: Tabor Academy (Mass.) | College: Notre Dame
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Turkey-Greece-Venezuela
Francis admits he should have left college after his freshman season, when he averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Instead, he remained at Notre Dame for four years, battled back injuries and has bounced around overseas since he left South Bend. Francis spent his first two seasons in Italy, has also been in Greece, Turkey and Israel. He is married with two children and recently signed a contract to play in Germany next season.

 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Only five of the 24 McDonald’s All-Americans from a decade ago spent time in the NBA this past season. I spoke to each of the other 19 players to find out where they have been — and where they are now.

More on the 2002 McDonald’s All-Americans: Class of 2002 a cautionary tale for today’s All-Americans

    1. Amar’e Stoudemire, 6-10, 240, PF
High school: Too many to list | College: None (committed to Memphis, but went straight to the NBA)
Drafted: 2002 (9th overall by Phoenix) | Career NBA games: 594 | Last season: New York
The consensus top-ranked player in the nation in the Class of 2002 and has lived up to the hype, as a Rookie of the Year honors and a six-time NBA All-Star. He spent the first eight seasons of his career in Phoenix before signing with the New York Knicks as a free agent in 2010. Career averages of 21.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the NBA.

    2. Carmelo Anthony, 6-8, 230, F
High school: Towson Catholic (Md.) | College: Syracuse
Drafted: 2003 (3rd overall by Denver) | Career NBA games: 591 | Last season: New York
‘Melo won a national title in his lone college season at Syracuse and is a four-time NBA All-Star. He spent his first seven seasons in Denver before being dealt to New York this past February. Anthony has averaged more than 20 points per game each season since entering the league and has career numbers of 24.8 points and 6.3 boards a game.

    3. Raymond Felton, 6-1, 205, PG
High school: Latta High (S.C.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (5th by Charlotte) | Career NBA games: 474 | Last season: New York and Denver
Felton spent three years in Chapel Hill and helped the Tar Heels win the national title in 2005. He was in Charlotte for the first five years of his NBA career before signing with New York in 2010 and then being dealt to Denver in a three-way deal. Felton’s career NBA averages are 13.7 points and 6.7 assists.

    4. Rashad McCants, 6-4, 200, SG
High school: Erwin (Asheville, N.C.); New Hampton Prep (N.H.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (14th by Minnesota) | Career NBA games: 249 | Last season: NBDL (Texas Legends)
Blessed with enough talent to be an NBA All-Star, McCants can’t manage to get back into the league. He spent his first four seasons in Minnesota and averaged 14.9 points in 2007-08, but was traded to Sacramento in February of 2009 and spent only 24 games with the Kings. He hasn’t played in the NBA since and spent 10 games a year ago with the Texas Legends in the NBDL. McCants told me he’ll likely sign in Europe while also trying to get his independent entertainment company — called YBG Entertainment Group — off the ground.

    5. Chris Bosh, 6-11, 235, PF
High school: Lincoln High (Texas) | College: Georgia Tech
Drafted: 2003 (4th by Toronto) | Career NBA games: 586 | Last season: Miami
Bosh spent one year in college before going to the NBA, where he was stuck in anonymity in Toronto for the first seven years before signing with Miami prior to this past season. Bosh is a five-time All-Star who is averaging 20 points and 9.2 rebounds for his career.

    6. Jason Fraser, 6-9, 225, PF
High school: Amityville (N.Y.) | College: Villanova
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
I’ll admit it. Fraser is my favorite kid in the entire class. Has a huge personality and is extremely bright. Fraser was once regarded as a can’t-miss kid, a big-time defensive player and shot-blocker who was a terrific outlet passer. However, injuries derailed his career and he was never the same player as on the summer circuit and in high school. Fraser went into insurance after his injury-riddled four-year Villanova career (he had seven surgeries), then played a year in New Zealand, with the Globetrotters and also for the New York Wizards of the EBA. He is currently working as an admissions representative for a college in New York, is married and has a 5-year-old daughter.

    7. Paul Davis, 6-11, 270, C
High school: Rochester High (Mich.) | College: Michigan State
Drafted: 2006 (34th by Los Angeles Clippers) | Career NBA games: 82 | Last season: Spain
Davis had a nice, productive four-year career at Michigan State (he averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior) and was drafted in the second round in 2006. He played sparingly for the Clippers in his first three seasons before catching on with the Washington Wizards for the first half of the 2009-10 campaign. He spent a couple months with the Maine Red Claws in the NBDL before finishing the season in Spain. Davis returned to Spain last season and spent the entire year there. Davis also made an appearance on the Millionaire Matchmaker a few years back.

    8. Sean May, 6-9, 265, PF
High school: Bloomington North (Ind.) | College: North Carolina
Drafted: 2005 (13th by Charlotte) | Career NBA games: 119 | Last season: Turkey
May has had a rough go with his health since he was drafted. He was on the same UNC team with Felton and McCants that won the national title in 2005 and then spent four years in Charlotte, but missed all of 2007-08 because of knee surgery. May spent 2009 in Sacramento and then signed with New Jersey prior to last season, but broke his foot and was forced to play in Turkey after getting healthy. May, who is married, said he is down to 260 pounds, is healthy and is hoping to get back to the NBA.

    9. DeAngelo Collins, 6-10, 230, PF
High school: Inglewood (Calif.) | College: None
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: China
Collins was an enigma coming out of high school in California. Blessed with size and talent, he opted to try and go to the NBA and wasn’t drafted. He said it was largely because of an ESPN Outside the Lines report a couple days prior to the draft that focused on an off-court fight. Collins has played in Turkey, Philippines, Argentina, Italy, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the NBDL, the ABA and most recently, China, where he is putting up huge numbers (24.1 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 4.8 apg, 4.4 bpg). Collins is married with a 3-year-old son.

    10. J.J. Redick, 6-4, 190, SG
High school: Cave Spring (Va.) | College: Duke
Drafted: 2006 (11th by Orlando) | Career NBA games: 281 | Last season: Orlando
Redick left Duke as the school’s all-time leading scorer and has been a solid player in the NBA over the past five seasons, averaging a career-high 10.1 points per game this past season with the Magic. Redick was married about a year ago.

    11. Bracey Wright, 6-3, 210, SG
High school: The Colony (Texas) | College: Indiana
Drafted: 2005 (47th overall by Minnesota) | Career NBA games: 26 | Last season: France, Croatia
Wright was, at one time, considered the best prospect on a high school team that also featured Deron Williams. Wright scored nearly 1,500 points in three seasons at Indiana before deciding to leave a year early. He was taken in the second round by Minnesota, played 26 total games over two seasons before bouncing around Europe. Wright spent 2007-08 in Greece, the next season split between Spain and Greece, then headed to Belgium and was in both France and Croatia last season. Wright, who is married with a 1-year-old son, just inked a two-year deal to play in Spain.

    12. Evan Burns, 6-7, 220, SF
High school: Fairfax (Calif.) | College: San Diego State
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Burns played on the same high school team with Craig Smith and initially signed with UCLA. However, he was academically ineligible and wound up playing at San Diego State for only one season, averaging 9.2 points per game, before being tossed off the team because of academics. Burns was extremely talented, but knee issues hindered his ability to play anywhere. Burns did have a brief stint in the NBDL with Sioux Falls in 2008, but suffered another knee injury and hasn’t played since. Burns is single and working as a production assistant in Los Angeles.

    13. Shavlik Randolph, 6-10, 240, PF
High school: Broughton (N.C.) | College: Duke
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 95 | Last season: Puerto Rico
Randolph was the subject of a Tobacco Road war between Duke, UNC and N.C. State in high school and was, at one time, ranked No. 1 in the entire class. Randolph averaged 6.3 points per game in three seasons at Duke before declaring for the NBA after his junior season. He wasn’t drafted, but caught on with Philadelphia and signed a multi-year deal with the 76ers. However, a dislocated ankle forced him to miss the entire 2006 campaign. He then played in Portland for a year and was set to play in Miami last season, but wound up having hip surgery and going to Puerto Rico in April after getting healthy.

    14. Daniel Horton, 6-3, 205, G
High school: Cedar Hill (Texas) | College: Michigan
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Horton played in Turkey his first season after leaving Michigan, then spent the last month in the D-League. His second pro season was split between France and the D-League and then a shoulder injury forced him to miss the entire next year. He then returned to France, where he suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss three months. Two years ago, Horton — who is married and has two children — had a short stint in the NBDL.

    15. Anthony Roberson, 6-2, 180, G
High school: Saginaw (Mich.) | College: Florida
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 65 | Last season: Italy
Roberson spent three seasons in Gainesville for Billy Donovan before deciding to leave school. He went undrafted, but signed with the Memphis Grizzlies and played 16 games as a rookie. Then he spent the following season in Golden State before going overseas for a year to Israel and Turkey. It was back to the NBA in 2008, signing with the Bulls and going to New York as part of a deal. Roberson has found success the past two seasons in France and Italy.

    16. Dee Brown, 6-0, 185, G
High school: Proviso East (Ill.) | College: Illinois
Drafted: 2006 (46th by Utah) | Career NBA games: 68 | Last season: China, Puerto Rico
Brown was drafted in the second round by Utah and played 49 games as a rookie. Then it was off to Turkey for a year before spending 2008-09 at three stops: Washington, Phoenix and Israel, where he won a title with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Brown, who is engaged and has three children, played in Italy two years ago, was in China and then Puerto Rico this past season and will return to Italy and play for a team in Rome next season.

    17. Hassan Adams, 6-4, 220, SF
High school: Westchester (Calif.) | College: Arizona
Drafted: 2006 (54th by New Jersey) | Career NBA games: 73 | Last season: Philippines
The ultra-athletic, undersized Adams spent four years in Tucson and wound up averaging 14.0 points and 5.4 rebounds for his career. He was taken in the second round by New Jersey, played 61 games as a rookie before going to Italy his second professional season. Adams signed with Toronto in 2008, played in a dozen games before being dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers. Adams, who is single, played in Serbia in 2009-10, in the Philippines last season and still hasn’t made a decision where he’ll play this year.

    18. Sean Dockery, 6-2, 185, PG
High school: Julian (Ill.) | College: Duke
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
After a four-year career in Durham, Dockery went overseas and spent time in Poland, Germany, France and Romania for the next three years. Most recently, he’s worked for a company that produces parties in Chicago. Dockery, who has a 2-year-old son, said he recently accepted a position to return to Duke that will deal with both community relations and basketball.

    19. Brad Buckman, 6-9, 245, PF
High school: Austin Westlake (Texas) | College: Texas
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Germany, Croatia, Turkey
Buckman played four years at Texas, averaging 8.5 points and 6.3 boards in his career before going undrafted and heading to Greece — where he got into some trouble. Buckman was taking medication for ADD, failed a drug test and was banned from Greece for two years and also from playing anywhere in Europe for one season. After a brief stint in the NBDL, he went to Romania, then to Cypress, Israel and Turkey over the next four years. This past season Buckman started in Germany, went to Croatia and finished in Turkey.

    20. Elijah Ingram, 6-0, 175, PG
High school: St. Anthony (N.J.) | College: St. John’s, New Mexico State
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Brazil
Ingram played a year and a half at St. John’s, averaging 11.5 points and 2.5 assists, before withdrawing from school and transferring to New Mexico State — where he averaged 11.9 points and 2.8 assists while finishing his college career. Ingram spent a year in the NBDL with the Albuquerque team before heading to Turkey. After a year sitting home because of injury, Ingram — who has a 6-year-old son — played in Brazil last season and is set to play in Finland next year.

    21. Travis Garrison, 6-8, 240, PF
High school: DeMatha (Md.) | College: Maryland
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Ukraine
Garrison spent four seasons at Maryland — with his best year coming as a junior when he averaged 10.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. Garrison has bounced around as a professional, starting out in the NBDL and also spending time over the past four years in South Korea, Spain, Venezuela, Turkey and the Ukraine. Garrison is married and has a son who will turn 2 in September.

    22. Michael Thompson, 6-10, 250, C
High school: Providence Catholic (Ill.) | College: Duke, Northwestern
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Did not play
Thompson barely played in his 1½ years at Duke before transferring back closer to home to finish out his college career at Northwestern. Thompson went into the financial industry out of high school and has been extremely successful in that arena. He recently joined the firm of Jackson Wabash.

    23. Eric Williams, 6-9, 280, C
High school: Wake Forest-Rolesville High (N.C.) | College: Wake Forest
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Italy
Williams spent four years at Wake and averaged 13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds over his career before going undrafted. Since then, he has played in Italy and earned about $300,000 per season. He has not made a decision where he’ll sign next season, but said he’d prefer a change of scenery — and the opportunity to experience a different culture. Williams is married with a 2-year-old son.

    24. Torin Francis, 6-11, 260, PF
High school: Tabor Academy (Mass.) | College: Notre Dame
Drafted: Undrafted | Career NBA games: 0 | Last season: Turkey-Greece-Venezuela
Francis admits he should have left college after his freshman season, when he averaged 11.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Instead, he remained at Notre Dame for four years, battled back injuries and has bounced around overseas since he left South Bend. Francis spent his first two seasons in Italy, has also been in Greece, Turkey and Israel. He is married with two children and recently signed a contract to play in Germany next season.

 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

The above is also from CBS Sports. I couldn’t link it without the spam trigger going off.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

The above is also from CBS Sports. I couldn’t link it without the spam trigger going off.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

The above is also from CBS Sports. I couldn’t link it without the spam trigger going off.

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