Ranking Every Big Ten Alum in the NBA & NBADL: The Other Guys

As this past season’s Big Ten stars look to start making a name for themselves in the NBA, let’s take a look at the former Big Ten stars who are already in the promised land or are aspiring to get there. Here are the 55 Big Ten players currently in the NBA and/or NBADL, ranked.

The ranking will be released in three parts: starters, role players and "the other guys". After "the other guys" ranking I will stop listing a player’s D-League stats for the 2015-16 season because any D-League games role players or starters played were usually to recover from injury.

For this ranking, I am focusing on each player’s skill level today. Even if a player has had a great career, if they have fallen off recently then that will be reflected in this ranking. On the opposite side of things, if a player has a lot of promise and potential, that isn’t reflected either. We are strictly looking at these guys and their abilities through the microscopic lens of "today".

Pop Quiz: The Big Ten had at least one player representing them on 25 of the 30 NBA rosters in 2015-16. While reading, see if you can figure out which five franchises don’t have Big Ten alums! The answer will be posted at the end of the starters ranking.

The Other Guys

55. Jonathan Octeus-Canton Charge

-Purdue (2014-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	1	0	15.7	2.0	3.0	1.0	1.0	0	2.0	.000	.000

Octeus played just a single game all year and it was the last game the Canton Charge played in, their playoff loss to the Sioux Falls Sky Force.

54. Jordan Morgan-Canton Charge

-Michigan (2008-2012)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	4	0	14.0	3.0	4.0	0.3	0.5	0.8	0.8	.385	.000

After having some limited opportunity in the NBA Summer League circuits the past few years, Jordan Morgan got an opportunity in the D-League this year, but did not play in many games.

53. Darius Morris-Rio Grande Valley Vipers

-Michigan (2009-2011)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	3	0	28.2	13.7	4.3	4.3	0.0	1.7	0.7	.429	.538

Darius Morris has played in many NBA games in his career, including 38 last year for Brooklyn. In just three games this season with the Vipers, Morris played a lot of minutes.

52. Traevon Jackson-Iowa Energy

-Wisconsin (2011-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	25	0	14.3	5.4	1.6	1.3	0.0	0.9	0.8	.437	.231

For Jackson, he was a role player on the Iowa Energy this year. This was his first season in the D-League. He also played in the Las Vegas summer league this year for the Wizards.

51. Ralph Sampson III-Maine Red Claws

-Minnesota (2008-2012)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	31	8	11.2	4.0	3.3	0.3	1.0	0.2	0.7	.535	.400

After starting 40 games for the Red Claws last season, Sampson III had an underwhelming year. He didn’t play nearly as much this year which became more and more of a trend as the season wore on.

50. Amir Williams-Rio Grande Valley Vipers

-Ohio State (2011-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	38	12	13.4	3.3	3.2	0.3	0.7	0.3	0.7	.611	.000

Amir Williams was able to start 12 games this year for the Vipers. For a rookie, that is pretty impressive, but he still did not see a lot of minutes overall. That said, as the year progressed, Williams’ got increasingly more playing time.

49. Dane Miller-Oklahoma City Blue

-Rutgers (2009-2013)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	26	0	17.3	7.1	3.5	1.9	0.5	0.6	2.0	.477	.227

Miller was the definition of a role player this year for the Blue, playing almost 20 minutes per game. He was an important contributor on the team despite never starting a game.

48. Kadeem Jack-Reno Bighorns (also played for Fort Wayne Mad Ants)

-Rutgers (2010-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	43	8	13.9	8.7	4.3	0.2	0.6	0.3	0.8	.561	.432

*D-League Elite Mini Camp participant

Jack was an impact player in his rookie year in the D-League. The Bighorns were a good team this year, which makes Jack’s role on the team more impressive. In his last two games, he played over 30 minutes and scored over 20 points in each.

47. Sam Thompson-Delaware 87ers (Grand Rapids Drive earlier in the year)

-Ohio State (2011-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	43	25	27.5	7.8	3.0	1.2	0.2	1.0	1.1	.459	.260

Thompson is a guy whose impact is made far beyond the standard stat line. He is a great team player, after all, there is a reason he got to play 27.5 minutes per game in his rookie D-League season.

46. Demetri McCamey-Austin Spurs

-Illinois (2007-2011)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	49	8	25.1	9.1	2.5	2.4	0.1	0.6	1.2	.414	.358

*D-League Elite Mini Camp participant

McCamey returned to the D-League this year after a two season hiatus. His experience showed on a Spurs team that won a lot of games. He is one of the older players still playing in the D-League, so if that NBA call up ever comes it may need to be sooner rather than later.

45. Sam Dekker-Houston Rockets & Rio Grande Valley Vipers

-Wisconsin (2012-2015)

Rockets	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	3	0	2.0	0.0	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.3	0.0	.000	.000
Vipers	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	7	0	23.2	11.9	5.3	1.6	0.1	0.6	1.7	.418	.237

Dekker’s rookie campaign was quickly marred by injury. Despite the disappointment and setback, the Rockets are still invested in his future so he should be in good shape to have future NBA opportunities after making a healthy recovery.

44. Terran Petteway-Fort Wayne Mad Ants

-Nebraska (2011-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	49	23	26.6	11.6	3.5	2.5	0.3	0.9	1.9	.411	.363

Petteway continued to do what he does best in his first year out of school, score. Another year or two could help him develop his skills and make a run at the NBA as he is a talented guard with size.

43. Reggie Hearn-Reno Bighorns

-Northwestern (2009-2013)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	48	22	25.8	11.5	4.3	1.3	0.5	0.7	1.3	.461	.442

*D-League Elite Mini Camp participant

Northwestern’s only player on this list is representing the school well. In his third straight season in the D-League he showed marked improvement and development, which is what the league is all about. With those improvements came increased opportunity.

42. Branden Dawson-Los Angeles Clippers & Multiple D-League Teams

-Michigan State (2011-2015)

Clippers	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	6	0	4.8	0.8	0.7	0.0	0.2	0.0	0.0	.400	.000
D-League	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	29	0	21.1	10.3	4.9	1.0	0.7	1.1	1.2	.518	.444

Dawson got some limited NBA opportunities towards the end of the regular season. He impressed in his time in the D-League, despite being a bit of a journeyman, playing on numerous teams. Whether he is back in the D-League or NBA next year, Dawson’s future is looking bright.

41. Shannon Scott-Raptors 905

-Ohio State (2011-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	48	37	29.0	9.2	3.9	5.7	0.1	1.6	2.5	.399	.319

*D-League Elite Mini Camp participant

Scott had a great year with Raptors 905. He led the team in assists and started at point guard whenever Delon Wright, the Raptors’ 2015 first pick, was playing in the NBA instead of the D-League. If Scott can develop his shooting a little bit, he will have a very well-rounded game with few weaknesses.

40. Duje Dukan-Sacramento Kings & Reno Bighorns

-Wisconsin (2010-2015)

Kings	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	1	0	24.0	6.0	4.0	1.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	.200	.400
Bighorns	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	27	27	28.9	14.5	4.3	1.2	0.4	0.7	1.7	.403	.371

Coming out of college, if you had told most people Duje Dukan would be playing professional basketball, they probably would have looked at you like you had four heads. But here we are. Dukan played really well in the D-League with the Bighorns, a playoff team, and even got the opportunity to play a game in the NBA.

39. Verdell Jones-Santa Cruz Warriors

-Indiana (2008-2012)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	50	31	31.0	16.1	3.2	3.8	0.3	1.3	2.0	.460	.369

*D-League Elite Mini Camp participant

Even though he is four years removed from college, Verdell Jones just completed his first season in the D-League, and it was largely a success. He put up a lot of points and impressed many. But the fear is could this be Jones nearing his prime? As a 26 year old, it is unclear how many more years he can continue to improve.

38. Deshaun Thomas-Austin Spurs

-Ohio State (2010-2013)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	47	35	28.9	14.7	6.2	2.2	0.4	0.6	1.6	.518	.293

Thomas continued to showcase his abilities in almost every facet of his game this year. The Austin Spurs were a good team and Thomas was one of their better players. He could really benefit from developing a better three point shot which would enable him being show his worth as a guy who can play many positions in the modern NBA.

37. Nnanna Egwu-Erie BayHawks

-Illinois (2011-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	50	50	31.8	9.2	7.2	1.4	1.3	0.8	1.6	.484	.000

*D-League Elite Mini Camp participant

Egwu was a mainstay in the BayHawks’ starting lineup and he was a double-double threat on many nights. He may not jump to the NBA this offseason, but if he continues to work hard and get opportunities in the D-League, it may not be too much longer before he hears his name called up somewhere.

36. Aaron Craft-Santa Cruz Warriors

-Ohio State (2010-2014)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	30	30	35.2	13.5	4.6	7.3	0.9	2.0	2.3	.466	.278

*D-League Elite Mini Camp participant

Through two seasons, Craft has played in 80 games for the Santa Cruz Warriors and started all 80. He continues to be the Aaron Craft that Buckeye fans came to know and love, making the 2015-16 D-League All-Defensive First Team. For a guy with a nonstop motor, it is hard to imagine he will have to go too much longer before he gets an opportunity in the NBA.

35. Travis Trice-Westchester Knicks

-Michigan State (2011-2015)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	49	48	34.1	15.3	3.5	5.7	0.1	1.4	2.4	.437	.335

Trice accompanied Jimmer Fredette in the backcourt for Westchester and helped lead the team to the playoffs. He was able to do everything from scoring to assisting to rebounding and if he impresses in the summer league this year an NBA franchise may look to add him to their roster for next season.

34. Keith Appling-Erie BayHawks

-Michigan State (2010-2014)

	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	35	34	32.3	19.0	4.3	5.1	0.2	1.7	2.3	.476	.375

Like Craft, Appling was a member of the 2015-16 D-League All-Defensive First Team. Beyond the defensive side of the ball, his stats jump off the page. He led the BayHawks in points scored and added impressive rebounding and assists numbers.

33. Mitch McGary-Oklahoma City Thunder & Oklahoma City Blue

-Michigan (2012-2014)

Thunder	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	20	0	3.6	1.3	0.9	0.2	0.1	0.1	0.4	.478	.000
Blue	GP	GS	MPG	PPG	RPG	APG	BPG	SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	26	9	24.9	14.7	8.8	1.5	0.8	1.1	2.8	.457	.239

The Thunder continue to remain optimistic about the future of McGary. He got an opportunity with the Thunder toward the beginning of the season, but he was moved to their D-League affiliate after a while. I don’t think he was being punished, rather I feel the Thunder just felt he needed more time to develop before he can be counted on consistently at the NBA level.

32. Devyn Marble-Orlando Magic & Erie BayHawks

-Iowa (2010-2014)

Magic		GP		GS		MPG		PPG		RPG		APG		BPG		SPG	TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016		28		0		8.9		2.1		1.4		0.4		0.0		0.5	0.3	.296	.250
BayHawks	GP		GS		MPG		PPG		RPG		APG		BPG		SPG		TOPG	FG%	3P%
2015-2016	14		1		30.9		14.8		5.2		2.2		0.1		1.6		2.3	.398	.353

Marble had a nice showing during his time in the D-League this year. So nice that he got called up to the Magic and he finished the year with them. By the end of the season, he had even earned 20 plus minutes in three separate games down the stretch in Orlando. He may have finally carved his out his spot as a NBA player.