60 young men had their dreams come true as they were selected in the 2013 NBA Draft. Everything they have worked for finally coming true as they heard their names called by Commissioner David Stern. This draft is historic in the fact that it will be the last draft in the David Stern Era. One of the most anticipated events for every major sports league is their Draft. For a few young athletes it’s a dream come true, but for others it can be a heartbreaking blow to go undrafted.
In the spirit of the draft, let’s focus on some athletes whose basketball dreams didn’t go as planned. To NFL fans everywhere, names like Gonzalez, Gates, Graham and Peppers are well known. These guys are probably not names known to a diehard NBA fan, but the fact that basketball didn’t work out for them is something NFL fans everywhere can be thankful for.
We all know Tony Gonzalez as the best tight end of all time. He is second all-time in receptions with 1,242 and has 103 career touchdowns. As a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez has wowed NFL fans over the years with his amazing body control, leaping ability and footwork. His big hands have also proven to be useful for tough one-handed catches as well.
From 1994-1997, Tony Gonzalez was a forward for the University of California along with playing football. He was a very athletic and strong basketball player but he lacked offensive skill only averaging 6.4 points/game. Though he was efficient shooting from the field at .511%, he was sub-par at the free throw line shooting .626%. His lack of offensive ability and his liability at the free throw line were more than enough reason for scouts to overlook him. In the end the decision for Gonzalez was simple; football gave him the best chance to be successful. In 1997, the Chiefs drafted him 13th overall and the rest is history.
San Diego Tight End Antonio Gates played originally wanted to play both football and basketball in collage. Gates was recruited to Michigan State where he wanted the rare opportunity to play for two different coaching legends, Tom Izzo and Nick Saban. But when Saban told him that he had to choose one or the other, Gates transferred to Eastern Michigan. A short stint there and a few junior colleges later the future all pro found himself at Kent State.
Focusing on basketball, Gates flourished as a Golden Flash averaging 16 points/game and a little over 8 rebounds. Gates was primed for a big senior year and he delivered. Gates received All-American Honorable mention as he averaged 20.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Not bad for a guy who is 6’4”. He would lead the Golden Flashes to the Elite 8 in the 2003 NCAA tournament. As his college basketball career came to a close, Gates was evaluated by NBA scouts as an in between player. He wasn’t skilled enough to be a guard and he didn’t have the height to be a post player. So Gates starting working out for NFL teams in hopes of rejuvenating his football career. After the NFL Draft the San Diego Chargers signed him as an undrafted free agent. Gates is one of the greatest undrafted players in league history and to think he barely played football in college. It took a while but it was better late than never for the All-Pro tight end.
Another basketball player turned tight end is New Orleans Tight End Jimmy Graham. Graham went to The University of Miami on a basketball scholarship. Over the course of his career he found that he may be more suited for a sport with more contact. Graham was what we call an enforcer on the basketball court meaning he was spending a little too much energy on fouling the opponents rather than scoring. Graham averaged a whopping 4.2 points/game in his four years at Miami and only 4.2 rebounds/ game.
After his four years of basketball were over Graham decided to attend grad school at Miami. Under NCAA rules he was able to have one more year of eligibility which he used to play football. Graham had 17 receptions and 5 touchdowns in his only season and that was enough for the Saints to draft him in the third round in the 2010 NFL Draft. Scouts loved his raw athletic ability but were nervous about his lack of football experience. The Saints took a chance and its paying off. Graham is an All-Pro and became the first Saints tight end to have a 1,000 yard receiving season in 2011.
before he realized his football potential
Former basketball players seem to translate well to the tight end position (see above). But what about defensive positions? One former North Carolina Tar Heel took what he learned on the basketball court and is now using that skill set to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Julius Peppers played both football and basketball in college. As you can assume basketball didn’t work out for Peppers. Averaging 5.7 points/game and 3.7 rebounds, he wasn’t much of a factor for the Tar Heels. Sticking with the theme here, after two years of walking on the basketball team Peppers decided to focus on just football. In 2002, he was selected 2nd overall by the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers would go to the Super Bowl the following year.
All these guys are All-Pro football players and NFL fans everywhere are happy that their stints on the hardwood didn’t work out. Peppers, Graham, Gates and Gonzalez are all incredible gifted athletes who were about to take skills they learned from basketball and apply them to football. Footwork, leaping ability and body control are important skills in both basketball and football. These players all possess these skills. The day after so many NBA dream came true, as NFL fans lets be thankful that these players’ hoops dreams didn’t.
