Like many young boys, Larry Hughes dreamed of playing in the NBA. In order to achieve his dream, he took the shortest route possible for him. After starring for four years at Christian Brothers High School, Hughes decided to attend the University of St. Louis, in his hometown.



Hughes was clearly the best player on his high school team from the very beginning. As he set school records for scoring, he began to receive national attention; he steadily climbed the rankings each year. Ultimately, Hughes would be named Parade Magazine High School All-America and be invited to play in the McDonald's High School All-American Game.



Since he was being recruited from schools all across the country, Hughes' choice to stay home for college was a bit of a shock. It no doubt had much to do with his younger brother's heart condition. No matter the reason, the Billikens were extremely happy to have Hughes on their team. Few players in the history of college basketball have ever had as much affect on a team in one season than Hughes. In only one season in St. Louis, Hughes ended the team's long drought, leading them to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The 6'5" guard, amazingly, broke the Conference USA freshman single season scoring total in just six games; it only took him twelve more games to break the same mark at St. Louis.



Following his one phenomonal season, Hughes made himself eligible for the 1998 NBA Draft. The Philadelphia 76ers made Smooth, as he is called, the eighth player taken in the draft, with the hopes of teaming him with Allen Iverson. The prospects of Iverson and Hughes in the same backcourt were enough to send some teams running scared.



Hughes had a very solid all-around rookie season, as he showed many flashes of his potential brilliance. Despite finishing among the top ten rookie leaders in eleven categories, Hughes was omitted from all of the All-Rookie teams. The 76ers front office was so impressed by Hughes' play, that they traded forward Tim Thomas, a former lottery pick, to Milwaukee for veteran Tyrone Hill, to give Hughes more playing time.
Climb to Fame
Highly talented guard who only spent one year in college.
Work History
(1997-98) University of St. Louis

(1998-Present) Philadelphia 76ers
Awards
Larry Hughes has also won numerous Awards

Charles Barkley has been playing far beyond the restraints of his size for his entire career. On paper, Barkley is too short to be a power forward and too big to be a small forward, but that hasn't stopped him. The 6'6", 252 lbs. forward, nicknamed "The Round Mound of Rebound" in college, Barkley overcame a weight problem to be named SEC Player of the Year following his junior season. He then decided to skip his final season for the NBA, leaving Auburn as their all-time leader in blocked shots.

Barkley was the fifth player selected overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1984 NBA Draft. Barkley joined a team that already boasted stars Julius Erving and Maurice Cheeks, yet he found his place sweeping to NBA All-Rookie First Team honors. As the Philadelphia stars' careers began to fade, Barkley stepped into the role of team leader and NBA star. The 11-time All-Star would go on to be an All-NBA team member in nearly every season he played, including being named league MVP in 1993. Barkley's stellar career was rewarded with his selection as one of the NBA's "Top 50 Players of All-Time". He also experienced international success as a member of the original "Dream Team", winning a gold medal in the 1992 Olympics.
Work History
(10/24/1999) Announces official retirement from basketball.

(1996-2000) Signs as free agent with Houston Rockets.

(1992-96) Traded to Phoenix Suns.

(1984-92) Signs with Philadelphia 76ers.

(1984) Is selected fifth by the 76ers in NBA Draft.

(1981-84) Plays for Auburn University.
Awards
Charles Barkley has also won numerous Awards

Larry Johnson has been among the best players at every level he has played. Johnson was National High School Player of the Year during his senior season at Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas. He then moved on to Odessa Junior College, where he starred before taking his game to UNLV and Jerry Tarkanian. This Runnin' Rebels team was blessed with future NBA stars Johnson, Greg Anthony and Stacey Augmon, breezing to two Final Four appearances in four years. Johnson won both the Naismith and the Wooden awards as the best player in college basketball during his final season at UNLV.

The Charlotte Hornets selected Johnson as the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft. The athletic, high leaping forward quickly became one of the most exciting and best players in the NBA, winning Rookie of the Year honors. Johnson was teamed with Alonzo Mourning is his second season forming a dominant tandem of the future. Together, they led the Hornets to the playoffs and a first round victory over the Boston Celtics. Johnson took on the personality of "Grandmama" in Converse shoe commercials, dunking wearing a dress and wig. Grandmama was named to the All-NBA Second Team following the 1993 season. The Hornets began dismantling their current team by trading Mourning to the Heat and Johnson to the New York Knicks for Anthony Mason and Brad Lohaus. Back injuries forced Johnson to go away from the high-flying game he was used to; he added a jump shot and post moves to his repertoire. He continued his play among the NBA's elite leading the Knicks to an improbable run to the 1999 NBA Finals.
Work History
(1987-88) Odessa Junior College

(1989-91) University of Nevada-Los Vegas

(1991-96) Charlotte Hornets

(1996-Present) traded to New York Knicks
Awards
Larry Johnson has also won numerous Awards

The tallest person ever to play in the NBA, the 7'7" Gheorghe Muresan did not even play basketball until the age of 14. A pituitary gland problem caused him to grow much faster than usual. His parents are of average height, both less than six feet tall. Muresan's dentist first recruited to him to play basketball because he was also a basketball referee.



Muresan attended Cluj University in Transylvania, Romania, but did not play basketball. A member of both the Romanian Junior National and National Teams, Muresan did not begin playing professional basketball until 1992. His first pro job took him to France, where he played one season for Pau Orthez before entering the 1993 NBA Draft.



The Washington Bullets selected Muresan in the second round of the 1993 Draft, with hopes of making him their future center. His size obviously makes him a rebounding and shot blocking threat, but he surprisingly came into the league with a skilled offensive game. The Bullets got a solid performance out of Muresan as a backup during his rookie season. Working diligently earned Muresan the NBA's Most Improved Player Award in 1996, when he doubled his numbers in all statistical categories. It looked as though he was poised to become a solid NBA player. Unfortunately, the injury bug hit, forcing Muresan to sit out the entire 1997-98 season. Prior to the 1998-99 season, Muresan signed a free agent contract with the New Jersey Nets to back up Jayson Williams.
Work History
(1992-93) Pau Orthez (France)

(1993-97) Washington Bullets

(1998-Present) New Jersey Nets
Awards
Gheorghe Muresan has also won numerous Awards

There are not many opportunities given to children growing up in South Central Los Angeles. Keyshwan Johnson was fortunate enough to get some of those few opportunities. Johnson, along with some other area boys, took advantage of football camps at the University of Southern California.



Coach John Robinson left the field open for these area youths to have a place to spend time away from the less savory elements of the city. It was through this program that Johnson got to hang out with current Trojans and future NFL stars, Ronnie Lott and Marcus Allen, as the USC ballboy.



Johnson went on to letter in both football and track during his days at Dorsey High School, before attending West Los Angeles Junior College. A 1993 Junior College All-America, Johnson transferred to USC, the school that gave him his start. In just two seasons as a Trojan, Johnson climbed to second on the career receptions and receiving yardage lists and fourth in touchdown receptions. The PAC-10 Player of the Year had NFL scouts excited about his combination of size, speed and toughness, as there aren't many receivers with Johnson's gifts that will catch passes over the middle.



The New York Jets made two-time All-America the first pick in the 1996 NFL Draft. Johnson's rookie season was spectacular, as he set club rookie records for receiving yards and receptions. Johnson has the ability to turn a five-yard route into a 50 yard gain, and still catch a high ball over the middle on the very next play. Extremely confident in his ablilties, Johnson felt he did not get the ball nearly enough during his rookie season, which he explained in his book Give Me the Damn Ball: The Fast Times and Hard Knocks of an NFL Rookie. Johnson's book also criticized current Jet players and former coaches.



Johnson walked the walk in 1998 when he participated in the Pro Bowl, winning Outstanding Player of the Game honors. As a result of getting a helping hand as a child, Johnson is very active in his community through many organizations, most notably, Keyshawn, Inc. Johnson created the organization as a way of helping disadvantaged youths a way of making something out of their lives, realizing college is the way out.
Work History
(1992-94) West Los Angeles College

(1994-96) University of Southern California

(1996-Present) New York Jets
Affiliations
Founded Key's Kids, program that allows underprivileged children to attend Jets' home games based upon academic progress/achievment.

'Keyshawn Johnson College Bound Scholarship Program'

Keyshawn, Inc.

Active in New York Jets C.I.T.Y. football program.

Runs football camp in Los Angeles.
Awards
Keyshawn Johnson has also won numerous Awards

Clyde "The Glide" Drexler has been using his high-flying game to dominate basketball for his entire career. Following four stellar seasons at Sterling High School, Drexler and his friend Mike Young stayed home to play at the University of Houston. Drexler was named Southwestern Conference Newcomer of the Year following a strong freshman campaign. During his three years there, Drexler was a part of the acrobatic dunking "Phi Slamma Jamma" team that led the Cougars to two straight NCAA Final Four appearances. Drexler decided to forego his senior season to enter the NBA Draft on the heels of a First Team All-America selection.

The Portland Trailblazers made Drexler the 14th selection in the 1983 NBA Draft. After toiling in obscurity for a few seasons, Drexler raised his level of play, starting a string of eight straight All-Star appearances. Drexler spent the rest of his career among the NBA's elite including a First Team All-NBA selection and a place on the original Dream Team in 1992. His success continued when he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 1994, where he was reunited with his college teammate Hakeem Olajuwon. Drexler left Portland as the Blazers career leader in ten categories. It was in Houston that Drexler would get the one thing that eluded him during his years in Portland: a championship ring. Prior to the 1997-98 season, Drexler announced his plans to retire and take the position as Head Coach of his alma mater following the season.
Work History
(1980-83) University of Houston

(1983-94) Portland Trailblazers

(1994-98) traded to the Houston Rockets

(1998-Present) Head Coach-University of Houston
Awards
Clyde Drexler has also won numerous Awards

In this day and age of huge salaries and season-long holdouts, there are few NFL players who just play for the love of the game. Kurt Warner is one of those players. Toiling on the bench during his career at the University of Northern Iowa for three seasons, Warner did not get a chance to start until his senior season. An early shoulder injury set his season back, yet he was still able to earn Gateway Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors.



Warner had hopes of playing professional football, but with little or no interest from the NFL he turned to the Arena Football League (AFL). Born and raised in Iowa, Warner stayed home to play for the Iowa Barnstormers. The AFL is not known as a springboard to the NFL, as players that land in the league stay there. Many people associated with the NFL look down on Arena Football and its players as not being worthy of their time. Warner loved the game of football so much that he was willing to spend the rest of his career in the Arena League.



He had experienced great success, leading the Barnstormers to two Arena Bowl championship game and setting all of the franchise's individual passing records. But he continued trying out for NFL teams, until 1997 when he was signed by the St. Louis Rams. His game was too raw for the NFL, so the Rams sent him to the World League to hone his skills. Two years later, Warner began the 1999-2000 pre-season as the Rams' back-up quarterback. An injury to the starter, Trent Green, gave Warner the opportunity he had long been waiting for.



NFL success was simply icing on the cake for Warner, who truly knows what things are important in life. He had recently started a family by adopting his wife Brenda's two children from a previous marriage and celebrated the birth of their third child, Kade. Brenda's oldest son, Zachary, 10, is legally blind and suffers from slight brain damage caused by an accident early in his childhood. Warner opened his huge heart to these children by adopting them and to others through the various charities in which he participates.



Playing simply for the love of the game, Warner took the NFL by storm, leading the league in nearly all individual passing statistics and endangering Dan Marino's single season passing touchdown record. Warner's early success was the fruit of earlier labor and the maturity he has gained through his personal life. Playing for the league minimum of $254,000. Warner had been quoted as saying if the Rams offered him a larger deal, he would give the extra to charity because he had all the money he needed.
Climb to Fame
Came from relative obscurity to become the NFL's leading passer in his first season.
Work History
(19??-??) Northern Iowa University

(c. 1994) Stocking shelves at a Hy-Vee store in Iowa.

(1995-97) Iowa Barnstormers (Arena Football League)

(1997-98) Amsterdam Admirals (World League Football)

(1998-Present) St. Louis Rams
Affiliations
Active in numerous charities
Awards
Kurt Warner has also won numerous Awards

Standing courtside with his slicked-back hair and Armani suits, Pat Riley may be the most recognizable basketball coach of all-time. The architect of "Showtime" with the Los Angeles Lakers has spent most of his life in the NBA, as a player, broadcaster and coach.



Riley was an excellent all-around athlete growing up in Schenectady, New York. Competing in track, basketball, football and baseball, Riley was especially dominant on the football field and basketball court. He was a great quarterback adept at both passing and running, and possessed a silky smooth jump shot. Following high school, Riley turned down a scholarship to play football for Bear Bryant at Alabama to play basketball for Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky.



The Wildcats were a great fit for Riley, who was named team MVP three times. Rupp's teams were always among the nation's elite, thus always in the championship hunt. Riley's best season came as a junior in 1966, when he led his team to the NCAA Championship game where they lost to Texas Western. The Final Four Most Outstanding Player was also accorded First Team All-SEC and All-America honors that season. Following his senior season when he earned his third First Team All-SEC berth, Riley was selected as the seventh pick in 1967 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets.



Riley spent nine seasons in the NBA, most of them as a solid bench player. After stints with the Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers, Riley decided to end his pro career in Phoenix in 1976. He was only out of basketball for one year before he joined the legendary Chick Hearn to broadcast Laker games. Two years later, the Lakers offered Riley a job as their assistant coach, which he accepted. Riley didn't have to wait long for his first head coaching opportunity, as the Lakers offered him the promotion in 1981. The Lakers wanted to take their team in another direction, and they knew that Riley was the man to do it.



One of the greatest motivators of all-time, Riley was always able to get the most out of each of his players. "Riles" installed the "Showtime" offense in LA, utilizing the skills of his key players: Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Michael Cooper. The "Showtime" Lakers possessed a transition game every team in the NBA feared, and Riley was able to get each player to understand where he needed to be to ensure success. All Riley did with the Lakers was win four NBA titles and become the all-time winningest coach in the postseason. Following nine glorious seasons with the Lakers, Riley was pushed out as management wanted a change for the '90s.



After one season as a broadcaster for NBC Sports, Riley re-joined the coaching ranks at the helm of the New York Knicks. Showing his coaching versatility, Riley quickly turned the Knicks into a contender with bruising defense and slow half-court offense. Patrick Ewing took them to the brink of an NBA championship in 1994, before a Game 7 loss to the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals. Having turned the Knicks into an elite franchise, Riley grew tired and left to coach the Miami Heat.



Riley turned yet another team into an NBA contender, completely overhauling the Heat. The two-time Coach of the Year brought in big name free agents, Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway to lead his team to the next level. Yet, Riley managed to get the most out of average players like P.J. Brown, Voshon Lenard and Isaac Austin, as well.



Along with his wife Chris and their children James and Elisabeth, Riley resides in Miami, Florida. The entire family is active in various charities and organizations.
Climb to Fame
One of the greatest coaches in NBA history, invented "Showtime" style of play for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Work History
(1995-Present) Works as head coach for the Miami Heat.

(1991-95) Works as head coach for the New York Knicks.

(1990-91) Is a color commentator/analyst for NBC Sports.

(1981-90) Works as head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he brings four NBA championships.

(1979-81) Works as assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.

(1977-79) Works as color commentator for the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Chick Hearn.

(1975-76) Is traded to the Phoenix Suns.

(1970-75) Is drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in Expansion Draft, who then sells his contract to the Los Angeles Lakers.

(1967-70) Plays for the NBA's San Diego Rockets.

(1967) Is drafted as a first round pick (seventh overall) of the San Diego Rockets of the NBA.

(1963-67) Attends the University of Kentucky.
Affiliations
DARE, Elizabeth Glaser's Pediatric AIDS Foundation, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
Awards
Pat Riley has also won numerous Awards

Anthony Mason has not taken the most direct route to virtual NBA stardom. Mason had already played on five different teams in four different leagues before he was given a chance prove his worth. Once given the chance, Mason proved to all that he could play in NBA and be quite successful.



Following a short yet dominating high school basketball career, Mason chose to attend Tennessee State. Springfield Gardens High School has since retired Mason's jersey number. Mason was clearly the best player on his college team, averaging over 28 points and 10 rebounds a game during his senior season. The Portland Trail Blazers took a chance on the unknown talent in the 1988 NBA Draft when they selected him in the third round.



Mason ended up spending the 1988-89 season playing in a Turkish basketball league. Following a short, unsuccessful stint with the New Jersey Nets, Mason spent a season each playing for the Tulsa Fastbreakers of the CBA and the Long Island Surf of the USBL, in between which he sandwiched 20 days on the Denver Nuggets' roster. It was during his time with the Surf that the New York Knicks discovered Mason, whom they signed as a free agent in 1991.



The New York native quickly became a vital part of the Knicks' rotation. Though he was small for a power forward, Mason was much stronger than most of his opponents. The muscular bruiser helped lead the Knicks to the 1994 NBA Finals before losing to the Houston Rockets. Conitinuing to improve, Mason was given the NBA Sixth Man Award in 1995.



Mason would not be a sixth man for long, as he was given the opportunity to start for the Charlotte Hornets following a 1996 trade. Even better, Mason began starting at the small forward spot; he was able to over power his defenders. Increased playing time at the three spot meant Mason began to build an offensive repitoire. Long thought of as a defensive stopper, Mason possessed excellent ball-handling skills and a surprisingly soft jump shot. The 1996-97 season would see Mason be named All-NBA Third Team and All-Defensive Second Team.



Throughout his career, Mason has been troubled by run-ins with the law and authority in general. He has been suspended by his teams for outbursts toward coaches and unacceptable behavior. The most serious problem came in 1997 when Mason and a friend were arrested for statutory rape. DNA tests could not incriminate the two men, so they pleaded guilty to lesser charges of endangerment and were sentenced to 200 hours of community service.
Climb to Fame
Brash power forward who went from playing in Turkey to the NBA Finals.
Work History
(1984-88) Tennessee State

(1988-89) Turkey

(1989) Signed as free agent with New Jersey Nets

(1990) Waived by Nets

(1990-91) Tulsa Fastbreakers (CBA)

(1990) Signed two consecutive ten-day contracts with Denver Nuggets

(1991) Lonng Island Surf (USBL)

(1991) Signed as free agent with New York Knicks

(1996) Traded to Charlotte Hornets
Awards
Anthony Mason has also won numerous Awards

On March 15, 1997, the records finally said what everyone else in the college basketball world had been saying for years: Dean Smith is the best college basketball coach of all-time. On this night Smith surpassed Adolph Rupp as the all-time winningest collegiate basketball coach. It's one thing for former players and fans to say their coach is the greatest, it's another thing for all other coaches to say it. Yet despite having some of the all-time coaching greats, such as John Wooden and Bob Knight, gush over how great a coach Smith is, he still remains humble.



Smith grew up in Kansas where he attended Topeka High School. After high school graduation, Smith attended Kansas University on an academic scholarship. While at Kansas, Smith was able to make the basketball team coached by James A. Naismith product "Phog" Allen. The Math and PE major was too short and slow to get much playing time, so he spent most of his time on the Jayhawks' bench. This may have been the best place for Smith, as it was here that he began to coach. Players at the end of the bench would often discuss how the team could get better; Smith was the most vocal.



Following graduation from Kansas, Smith was an assistant coach at the United States Air Force Academy for three seasons before moving to his final destination, the University of North Carolina. Smith was an assistant for Frank Maguire until Maguire left for the NBA. The athletic department had noticed Smith's loyalty to the institution and his peers, so they offered him the job in 1961.



Over the next 36 years, Smith would run one of the cleanest, most dominatingly conisistent programs college basketball has ever seen. The Tarheels sent a steady stream of players to NBA and into every walk of life. Anyone who ever player for Smith left UNC more prepared for life than they were aware of. Smith's goals as a coach were simple: to win basketball games and make men out of the boys he coaches. As many former players can attest, Smith genuinely cares for his players inspiring a fraternal feeling among the team.

Everyone knows that former Tarheels populate the NBA, but few know about the long list of successful college and professional coaches that have come from coach Smith's team and coaching staff. The list includes Larry Brown, now with the Philadelphia 76ers; Roy Williams, at Kansas University and the Milwaukee Bucks' George Karl.



In addition to being the winningest coach of all-time, Smith holds NCAA records for Tournament wins and 25-win seasons. Smith's Tarheels won two NCAA Championships in eleven Final Four appearances. The eight-time ACC Coach of the Year was inducted into the UNC Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. In 1997, Smith retired, handing the reigns to long-time assistant Bill Guthridge. His newest book, A Coach's Life: The Carolina Way, is a collection of some of Smith's favorite memories from his epic career.
Climb to Fame
One of the best college basketball coaches of all-time.
Work History
(1976) Is named head coach of the United States Olympic Basketball Team.

(1967-73) Member of the US and Canadian Basketball Rules Committee.

(1961-97) Works as head coach for the University of North Carolina.

(1958-61) Works as assistant coach for the University of North Carolina.

(1955-58) Works as assistant coach for the United States Air Force Academy.

(1949-53) Attends the University of Kansas.
Affiliations
Fellowship of Christian Athletes

National Association of Basketball Coaches
Awards
Dean Smith has also won numerous Awards