The Top Five Colorado Buffaloes Ever to Play in the NBA
Dec 18, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Detroit Pistons shooting guard Chauncey Billups (1) shares a laugh with teammates during the fourth quarter of Detroit
The University of Colorado isn’t exactly known as a basketball factory, but that doesn’t mean the Buffaloes aren’t capable of helping student-athletes achieve their NBA dreams. As teams gear up for this year’s NBA Draft on June 26, a number of draft experts are projecting CU shooting guard Spencer Dinwiddie to draw some attention in the second round. Currently, Draft Express has Dinwiddie going to the Detroit Pistons with pick 38 in Round 2, where he would join former Buffs great Chauncey Billups (assuming he foregoes retirement and returns for the final year on his current contract).
As Buffs fans wait to see if Dinwiddie will be the latest Buff to make the jump to the NBA, let’s take a look at the top five Colorado Buffaloes who found success in the league:
5. Alec Burks, SG: Played at CU from 2009 to 2011, where he averaged 19 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Draft 12th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2011 NBA Draft. Has played three seasons in the NBA, where he currently averages 9.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.
4. Chuck Williams, PG: Played at CU from 1965 to 1968. Played 8 seasons in the ABA and NBA (mostly in the ABA), where he averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 assists, and 1 steal per game. Two-time ABA All-Star. Ranks in the ABA’s top 50 all-time in several categories, including points, assists, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, steals, and minutes played.
3. Jay Humphries, PG/SG: Played at CU from 1980 to 1984, where he averaged 11.7 points and 5 assists for his career. Played 11 seasons in the NBA, where he averaged 11.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Ranked in the NBA’s top 100 all-time in assists and steals.
2. Scott Wedman, SF: Played at CU from 1970 to 1974, where he averaged 16.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Played 13 seasons in the NBA, where he averaged 13.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Two-time NBA All-Star. Named to the 1974-75 NBA All-Rookie Team. Named to the NBA All-Defensive second team in 1979-80. Won two Championships with the Boston Celtics in 1984 and 1986.
1. Chauncey Billups, PG/SG: Played at CU from 1995 to 1997, where he averaged 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists for his career. Has played 17 seasons in the NBA, where he currently averages 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. Five-time NBA All-Star. Named to the NBA All-Defensive second team twice. NBA Finals MVP in 2003-04, where he helped lead the Detroit Pistons to a Championship.