It’s March and that means it is the best time of the year, March Madness. It is time for the upsets and the heartbreak. The triumphs and the memories. It’s time for more legends to make their name in the history books. Not all the legends of March Madness go on to be big NBA stars though. Let’s look at where some March legends are now.
Steph Curry
Steph Curry made his name after his incredible run with the 10 seeded Davidson Wildcats. He led them to an improbable elite eight run while averaging 32 points per game. He was able to lead upsets over 7 seed Gonzaga, 2 seed Georgetown, and 3 seed Wisconsin. After his incredible run, he was drafted seventh overall pick in the 2009. He has since become arguably the best point guard in NBA history. He is a 4 time NBA champion and a 2 time NBA MVP. He is still currently with the Golden State Warriors.
Kris Jenkins
Kris Jenkins is remembered for one moment and it is the most clutch shot in NCAA Tournament history. All of us remember Jim Nantz iconic call “Gives it to Jenkins, for the championship.” He hit the game winning three against North Carolina to give Villanova the 2016 National Championship. After that he somehow went undrafted in the 2017 draft and played in the G league and German league for a few years. Since then, he has been an assistant in the student athlete development for Villanova.
Kemba Walker
“Cardiac Kemba” is remembered for his incredible run in the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. He helped UCONN win 11 straight games to win the national championship. After that he had a pretty good NBA career becoming a multiple time all star and became the all time leading scorer in Charlotte Hornets franchise history. Now he is a player enhancement coach for the Charlotte Hornets.
DJ Burns
DJ Burns is known for helping NC State go on an incredible run by winning the ACC championship and going all the way to the Final Four as an 11 seed. After that he went undrafted in the 2024 draft. Now he has bounced around the G league and played in the Korean Basketball League. He currently plays in the Israeli Basketball league.
Carsen Edwards
Carsen Edwards is known for his legendary Elite Eight run with Purdue. In his elite eight game against Virginia, he hit 10 threes tying the all time record. After this incredible run, he was drafted with the 33rd pick in the NBA draft by the Celtics. He has since bounced around the league and overseas and now plays in the Italian League.
Jack Gohlke
Jack Gholke is known for his record setting game against 3 seed Kentucky. He hit 10 threes tying the all time record in the NCAA Tournament. This helped 14 seed Oakland upset Kentucky. After this game, he was invited to join the OKC Thunder summer league team. He has since bounced around the G league and teams overseas. He is currently on Texas Legends in the NBA G league.
Doug Edert
Edert is known for being one of the main pieces in St Peter’s improbable run to the Elite Eight as a 15 seed. They upset 2 seed Kentucky, 7 seed Murray St, and 3 seed Purdue. After that he transferred to Bryant University. He now coaches for his old High School in New Jersey.
Markquis Nowell
Nowell is known as the 5’7 point guard who led the Kansas St Wildcats to the Elite Eight in 2023. He holds the record for assists in a NCAA Tournament game with 19 assists against Michigan St in the Sweet Sixteen. After this he went undrafted and bounced around G league teams. Now he plays overseas in the Spanish Basketball league.
Shabazz Napier
Shabazz Napier is known for being the guy after Kemba Walker. He was Kemba’s backup on the 2011 Uconn team that won the National Championship. In 2014, he led his own Uconn team to win the National Championship. He won the tournament Most Outstanding Player. He was drafted 24th in the 2014 NBA Draft. He was a journeyman in the league before bouncing around overseas as well. Now he is a coach for the Washington Wizards.
